Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Luke 6:12-19; Psalms 67:4-7; Proverbs 17:7-8
NT: “During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles… After coming down with them, he stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all.” (Luke 6:12-13, 17-19 CSB)
I have heard the gospel of Luke described as Jesus’ times of prayer with miracles in between. Jesus had a big and very strategic milestone in front of Him and He had to get it right. The success of His church and the global proliferation of His gospel depended on it, so He spent the entire night before His Father in prayer. The next morning, with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, He chose His main 12 disciples who would also be sent out as apostles. Also following His night of prayer was a day filled with healing and ministry. Luke noted that people from Judea and Jerusalem, as well as Tyre and Sidon came to be healed and delivered from demonic possession and oppression. Judea was Jewish, while Tyre and Sidon were gentile regions. Jesus ministered to Jew and gentile alike. While He was sent to Israel first, He also came for and ministered to gentiles. All people were blessed by His touch.
Psalms: “Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for you judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth. Selah Let the peoples praise you, God, let all the peoples praise you. The earth has produced its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.” (Psalms 67:4-7 CSB)
God is not just the God of the Jews. He is the Creator and God of the whole earth – and in His perfect righteousness and justice, He oversees the affairs of all people fairly. He doesn’t show partiality nor treat one group of people better than the other. All are equally able to come to Him and receive His favor and blessing. All who trust in Him are able to richly participate in His faithful provision and protection.
Jamie Hicks 