The Conflicted Kingdom (Luke 9:1-17)

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Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, giving them power to heal and cast out demons. He tells them to preach about God’s kingdom and rely on the hospitality of those who welcome them. If they’re rejected, they should leave and show that the town is excluded from the kingdom by wiping their feet.

Luke then mentions that John the Baptist has been killed by Herod, which seems like a major setback for God's kingdom. This raises doubts about whether the Lord can truly establish His rule.

Later, in a remote area, the disciples find themselves without enough food, even for their small group of thirteen. But despite the huge crowd of over 5,000, Jesus miraculously feeds everyone with just five loaves and two fish. This shows that God's kingdom is not limited by our obstacles or lack of resources. The Lord's power and provision ensure that His kingdom will prevail.