He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God
Sat, 25 November, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Jesus Christ gave the twelve apostles power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and then sent them out into the cities of Israel to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
This is an unrepeatable event. Jesus has not given us such sweeping power and authority, nor has He commanded us to travel around without staff, bag, bread or money. We can take spare clothes and money with us if we are travelling on an evangelistic mission, for this command is not to us.
What do we learn from this?
Although we don’t have the power to heal people from their diseases, we do have a command to proclaim the kingdom. At His ascension, Jesus told His disciples:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is a continuing command that does apply to us, just as it applied to the apostles. Go into the world and make disciples. Baptize new converts. Teach them. We don’t need to be able to heal the sick or cast out demons to fulfill this commission. We simply need to proclaim the kingdom of God.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Our success in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God is assured, as Jesus Christ has all the authority needed for the success of the mission. And He promises to be with us as we fulfil His command to proclaim the kingdom of God.
