Tuesday 26 May 2026

Psalm 67

Background
This passage in Luke's Gospel is about how Jesus conducted his ministry during the three years he was with his disciples. It goes without saying that this period predates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the way it is reported to have come at Pentecost and indeed there is no specific mention of the word ‘Spirit’ in this passage. What is said here is that Jesus gave his disciples power and authority over demons and to cure diseases.

One might say that this was a sort of ‘first instalment’ of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew he would not be with his disciples for long and he needed to share his vocation with those closest to him. This was the disciples' apprenticeship and they needed to learn while Jesus was still around to trust God as Jesus did to be able to carry out their mission.

The disciples were instructed to go out in complete poverty, in contrast to many other wandering teachers of the time, and in this they were to exhibit their faith and trust in the power that they had received from Jesus. Effectively it was a down payment of a gift to be given fully after Jesus' life, death and resurrection, in the coming of the Holy Spirit.

To Ponder:

• Do you find it helpful to think of the Holy Spirit being given in instalments in your life, according to your ability and position to receive it?
• Some modern Christian groups practise sending people out in mission depending only upon the grace of God and the help of others. John Wesley expected a lot of his travelling preachers. What do you think is a viable model of mission in our time?

Prayer
Loving God, give us ears to hear your call on us and hearts to accept the assurance that those whom you call, you also equip. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Jennifer Potter
The Revd Jennifer Potter is a supernumerary minister living in the Croydon Circuit. She works as a part-time chaplain at the local MHA (Methodist Home for the Aged). She was previously a minister at Wesley’s Chapel in London.