DAY 18: Power, Rejection, and Staying the Course
Reading Luke 8-10
It’s Day 18! The reading for today is Luke chapters 8-10, and these chapters are full of moments where Jesus reestablishes the norm of what life with God is meant to look like.
In chapter 9, Jesus gives power to the disciples to go out and do the very works He was doing. This shows us something significant: It’s normal for everyone—not just Jesus—to do the works of the Lord. It’s normal for everyone to be one with God. It’s normal for signs and wonders to follow believers.
This is the original design Jesus was reestablishing in us all.
This movement of power and authority even reaches the ears of King Herod in chapter 9. The same King Herod who killed John the Baptist begins to ask: “What is going on? Who is this doing these works? I thought I killed John the Baptist.” Speculation swirled: some thought it was Elijah, others said it was another prophet, or even John raised from the dead. The impact was so strong it made Herod want to meet Jesus—or whoever was responsible for these works.
This leads to another key moment when Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do men say that I am?” Peter responds: “You are the Christ.” And Jesus begins to prepare them: “They’re going to persecute Me. They’re going to do all these things to Me. But don’t worry.”
In chapter 10, Jesus takes it further. He sends out seventy men, two-by-two, saying: “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” He gives them a sort of state of the union—marching orders for how to move forward. He warns them about the responses they’ll face and teaches them how to stay the course:
Stay rooted as one with God.
Remain a messenger of God.
Walk in the power that comes from being equal with God.
Keep moving forward regardless of how people respond.
This is an important truth: Even when you’re reestablishing God’s normal order, the response won’t always be what you expect. You might be doing good works in Jesus’ name—for the benefit of others—and still face rejection or resistance. But don’t let it stop you. Keep moving forward. Keep doing what you’re called to do.
Remember, the power and authority you carry is normal. It’s also normal for people to reject what they don’t understand or what they’re not familiar with—they’ve been conditioned by another way. But no worries. Keep going.
Enjoy today’s reading.
Let’s Read/Listen to Luke 8-10!
There are a few ways you can get the reading done: listen below via our YouTube video, open up the Bible App of your choice, or simply turn to the pages in your physical Bible.
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