Knowing The Word in Luke 9:1-6

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

9:1 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.

Comments

We should not think that the twelve were always together with Jesus. They had family in the surrounding villages and must have gone home to support them. While we do not have specific details, some probably had wives and children and older parents who needed their presence.

Jesus gave them all that he had for his own ministry: power to heal and authority over demons. This was an extension of Jesus’ ministry as these were the two primary aspects of his ministry. To be a Christian is to be a “little Christ” doing the things he did. These disciples were the first Christians. They were to trust in God’s provision and not on their own planning, going as they were because the need was urgent. They were to get on with the mission.

They were to stay in one home in each village. Jesus did not want them moving houses because meeting new people in new houses required time-consuming social etiquette. Jews were to shake off the dust from their sandals when they left a Gentile land and came back into Israel. The symbol in what Jesus said is that the Jews who do not receive them are not better than the Gentiles. The disciples obeyed, preaching and healing.

Application

Jesus gives all of us power through his Holy Spirit. We can choose to use this power or not. How and when have you used this power? If you do not have any experience with the power of the Spirit, you may want to consider attending an Alpha course.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to be your disciple, who follows after you and obeys your command to go and make disciples of all nations, all people, knowing that you are always with me. (Matthew 28:18-20, The Great Commission)