“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:21

 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles…
Luke 6:13

“…so he was added to the eleven apostles.”
Acts 1:26

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AUGUST 30, 2024

The last word in this week’s passage is apostle. But what is an apostle? We often use this word synonymous with the word disciple, but that isn’t quite right.

An important hint comes from the first time the author of Luke/Acts uses the word. Here, Jesus has called His disciples to gather around, and then Jesus chooses twelve to be apostles. Once again, we realize that it has not been Jesus and twelve men roaming around Galilee and Judea, but a much larger group of male and female disciples that included the twelve apostles.

And now here, the author of Luke/Acts shows Peter gathering the 120 or so disciples and asking God to choose an apostle to fill Judas’ place.

Another hint comes from Bible dictionaries, lexicons, and commentaries, which tell us that the Greek word translated apostle means a messenger or envoy; a person sent by another. This word was used to describe Jesus Himself, sent to us from God. Then Jesus used it to describe the ones He was about to send out. While there is an ever-growing number of disciples, a few are also selected to be sent as messengers.

Among other things, this is important foreshadowing. Right now, this is a Jerusalem-based Jewish sect. Up until the moment Jesus disappeared, they expected Him to prioritize retaining and restoring Israel as a nation. But Jesus said to wait for the Spirit, then prepare to witness to Jesus here but also to the ends of the earth.

That is exactly what is about to happen. They are being sent. A ripple is about to begin, and the impact of an ever-growing wave is still washing over our lives and communities today.

And as we have long ended our services at Wheaton Bible Church, remember: You are sent.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What do you think Jesus was sending the apostles to do?
  • For what purpose?
  • In what ways are disciples today?
  • For what is Jesus sending us?

 

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, August 30: Ezekial 2; Psalm 38
  • Saturday, August 31: Ezekial 3; Psalm 39
  • Sunday, September 1: Ezekial 4; Psalm 40-41