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by Sandy Shaw
On we go to Luke Chapter 9. One day Jesus calls his twelve men together. They have been with Jesus now for about a year, and Jesus gives them a special anointing - specific authority and power - to go and minister.
For a year they have been watching, listening, observing and learning. For a year they have been under training - now they are being sent out on a mission. It was time for the practical. It is not enough just to take it in all the time. There has to be an outlet - the opportunity for service and mission and ministry.
Jesus Christ gives his disciples power and authority over all demons and diseases.
“Authority” here means the right to speak and act and minister in the Church of Jesus Christ, and must always come from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is when we are under authority that we receive authority. When we respect his Lordship, He gives us power.
Jesus sends these men out to preach the kingdom of God, and heal the sick. These were very ordinary men - until Jesus Christ called them. We are all very ordinary until we experience the call and the anointing of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ - then things can change. He anoints ordinary men with power - and gives to ordinary men, authority - and they became extraordinary men - able to do the works of God.
They are not sent out with good ideas, that would make them attractive or popular or successful. They are sent to preach - to proclaim that God is doing something new and exciting - to preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and King - and that He is to be obeyed and trusted.
They were not sent out to find out what people thought about Jesus - or find out what people wanted - nor were they sent out to discuss whether the coming of Jesus Christ the king was a good thing. They were not to do a survey!
They were sent out to preach what Jesus had given them to preach. They were to be specific - they were to be clear in their preaching - not woolly or flabby or soft or confusing. People might not agree with what was being preached, but at least the people would hear the message which Jesus wanted people to hear, and, as they went preaching, they were to heal the sick.
Jesus Christ is against sickness and for wholeness. Jesus is against fear. He wishes people to have saving faith. Jesus is against sin. His desire is to see men and women set free from the grip and hold which sin can have over people. Jesus does not wish to see people lost and sore and scared and scarred. He wants to see people found and healed and secure and whole.
On this brief mission they are to take nothing with them which would hinder or hamper their ministry. They are to be free and mobile. They are to be uncluttered - no luggage - no money - no food. Now - this only applies for a limited period of ministry. At other times they are told to take what they will require.
Verse 4. When you go a town and knock on someone's door - if they invite you in and offer you hospitality - remain there for the duration of your ministry in that town or area. Don't go running around to see if someone else will offer you better food. Don't go looking for someplace more comfortable. Such running around can often be a sign of anxiety - discontent - greed. Jesus - having called these men - and having given them power and authority - now wanted them to trust Him to provide for the physical needs of His servants.
He is teaching, "The way you live - will reflect what you believe."
Verse 5. If you are not received - if in some town, people will not hear your preaching nor receive your ministry - leave that town - move on - shake off the dust from your feet. It will be a testimony against them.
Jesus Christ knew what it was to be welcomed, wanted and received, and He knew what it was to be rejected and told to go away.
Verse 6. Off they go in obedience - preaching – healing. Jesus the king is ruling through His disciples. Jesus realises that not everyone will receive, but does NOT explain.
Now, there is a significant lesson – we are not told or taught everything immediately. God does not answer all our questions and prayers right away. Coming to terms with that early on saves much unnecessary bother!
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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