Go in the authority of Jesus

Luke 9:1-6

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.  And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”

Has God held back on those who followed Jesus after the twelve?  We know one of the twelve was a liar and thief and yet they “went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”  One thing is clear Judas did as he was told, and he and whoever was his partner for this mission saw and preached and witnessed people being healed.  In Mark 6:7 you have the same account, and in Matthew 10, we have a clearer picture of more than the moment.

“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics4 or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”

Did Jesus ask the twelve to go and do something that all other followers of
Christ have been given a pass on or has the task of being sent out by Jesus been amplified?  We have Matthew’s account of the resurrection and the angel of the Lord coming and rolling back the stone, and telling Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, “He is not here, for He has risen, as he said.”  And after they looked into the tomb that was empty, they left rejoicing and Jesus came to them, with this word “Greetings” and what did these ladies do?   You are 100% correct, just what you and I would have done, they worshiped Him.  And the ladies went and told the disciples to do as Jesus and the angel had said, go to Galilee and they will see me there.

It is in Galilee where they got their commission, and so did you and I as followers of Christ, and this is it: “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” There is not much new under the sun, some of the chosen eleven doubted, so many of us today find ourselves in good company.  But that does not change this truth Jesus has authority both in heaven and on earth, and as His disciples, or followers, we are told to go to all nations in the name and authority of Jesus and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice