What is the purpose of the “milk” of The Word?
The milk of The Word is to prepare us for the “meat” of The Word.
Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 2:
1 So abandon every form of evil, deceit, hypocrisy, feelings of jealousy and slander.
2 In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure Spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this “milk” will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life—
Immature believers must be tenderly discipled with the pure “milk” of The Word. The mature saints must endeavor to keep their teaching pure, without empty traditions of men which are of no effect. What is supposed to happen when the immature believer grows into maturity?
Jesus spoke in John chapter 4:
31 Then the disciples began to insist that Jesus eat some of the food they brought back with them, saying, “Teacher, you must eat something.”
32 But He said to them, “I have meat to eat of which you do not know.”
33 Puzzled by this, the disciples began to discuss it among themselves, “Did someone already bring him food?”
34 To clarify, Jesus spoke up and said, “My meat is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me and bring it to completion (to be finished).”
The mature believers are to do the works of Christ and bring their individual callings to completion. This involves sowing and reaping.
35 As the crowds emerged from the village, Jesus said to his disciples, “Why would you say, ‘The harvest is another four months away’? Look at all the people coming—now is harvest time! Their hearts are like vast fields of ripened grain—ready for a harvest.
36 Everyone who reaps these souls for Eternal life will receive a reward. Both those who plant Spiritual seeds and those who reap the Spiritual harvest will celebrate together with great joy!
37 And this confirms the saying, ‘One sows the seed and another reaps the harvest.’
38 I have sent you out to harvest a field that you haven’t planted, where many others have labored long and hard before you. And now you are privileged to profit from their labors and reap the harvest.”
Jesus spoke to His twelve disciples in Matthew chapter 10:
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
What were the results?
Mark recorded by The Holy Spirit in Mark chapter 6:
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
Afterwards, Jesus sent out seventy disciples in Luke chapter10:
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near you.’
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.”
Why did Jesus send out twelve and later seventy? He could not do it all Himself. He needed Doers of The Word, not hearers only. Mature Sons and Daughters of GOD must realize that they are commanded to sow and reap on behalf of The Kingdom. Sowing The Word takes on many forms, both direct and indirect. We should ask The Holy Spirit the following, “What is the best use my resources today on behalf of The Kingdom of GOD?” Then, do it!