When Jesus began his ministry, he entered the synagogue in
Capernaum and cast out an unclean spirit. He then crossed the street, entered
the home of Simon’s mother-in-law, and cured her of a fever.
A lot has happened in Jesus’ ministry between then and now.
He has made a big, big impression
in Jewish circles. Everywhere he has been, with the exception of his own
hometown, he has taught with power and authority. He has demonstrated that his
interpretation of the ancient scriptures is backed with action. Crowds of
people have responded.
Now Jesus gives his power and influence away.
He sends his twelve closest followers out in pairs and
orders them to take nothing on their journey. He entrusts them with his power
to cast out unclean spirits and heal, telling them the people they meet on the
way will provide.
Jesus wants it to be clear that effectiveness depends upon
nothing except Jesus’ power and authority and their own willingness to go. He
wants them to experience success and failure, welcome and rejection, accolades
and jeers. He wants them to experience the fullness of ministry firsthand.
Like any apprenticeship, important skills are honed by
doing.
They set out, having first been taught, and then having
witnessed the power in Jesus’ actions. They have heard and seen, now it’s time
to do.
They go off in pairs, proclaiming the same message Jesus
proclaimed, ordering unclean spirits around just as Jesus did, and bringing
healing just as Jesus did.
Same message, same actions, same results.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
The message and power of Jesus resides with him. It also
resides with the ones Jesus empowers. Can we rely upon one another the way we
rely upon Jesus?
Things to do:
Pray for the power of Jesus’ teaching and actions to be
present in the church.
Jesus,
empower your church.
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