Jesus Sends Out The Twelve - Matthew 10:1-8
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Reflection: This passage marks a huge transition in the life and ministry of Jesus, where he goes from mainly showing and doing the words and works of the Gospel to equipping the disciples to carry on this ministry. It has been often said that the telltale mark of any good leader is if the work goes forward after they are gone. In the case of Jesus not only will it go on, but exponentially multiply. Why? Because simply Jesus was the greatest leader who ever lived, and we would do well to study intensely his method of leadership.
First, we notice Jesus "called" his twelve disciples to him. They had previously been his disciples living with him for three years and learning from his every move and interaction, and now he was preparing to send them out. This reminds us that there is always a time of proving for every disciple before they are called to lead others. Spiritual leadership is one of the most crucial aspects of the health of the church, and leaders needed to be trained and tested as disciples before they lead in any area of the church.
Second, he gave them authority and power to drive out unclean spirits and diseases. Just as Jesus' works authenticated his words, so he gave the apostles the power to do the same works which would help people to experience the truth of the Gospel. Too often today in the church our Gospel is very content driven without giving people a chance to experience the truth we are preaching. Importantly whether we preach, or drive out demons, or heal it is all in the name of Jesus. And the message is the kingdom of heaven has come near. The purpose of any kind of supernatural healing or deliverance is to be a foreshadowing of the kingdom of heaven coming on earth as it is in heaven in the name and power of Jesus.
Finally, we know from the other gospels that Jesus sent out the apostles in two's. Leadership in the church and living out the great commission to go and make disciples, was never meant to be a solo enterprise. We are all fallible and have innate weaknesses and blind spots. Two are better than one. This kind of ministry is draining and there is significant pushback as we seek carry out and move forth God's kingdom. We need others praying for us and having our backs as we often can also be our worst enemy.
As Jesus sent out with authority his disciples he sends us out as well. He has given us his Holy Spirit as a reminder
Of all he said and done.
Jesus thank you for showing us what a true leader looks like. Thank you for calling us and sending us out in your name as you sent out your first disciples. Show us those you call us to link arms with as we go out in Your name and Your power, Amen.
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Reflection: This passage marks a huge transition in the life and ministry of Jesus, where he goes from mainly showing and doing the words and works of the Gospel to equipping the disciples to carry on this ministry. It has been often said that the telltale mark of any good leader is if the work goes forward after they are gone. In the case of Jesus not only will it go on, but exponentially multiply. Why? Because simply Jesus was the greatest leader who ever lived, and we would do well to study intensely his method of leadership.
First, we notice Jesus "called" his twelve disciples to him. They had previously been his disciples living with him for three years and learning from his every move and interaction, and now he was preparing to send them out. This reminds us that there is always a time of proving for every disciple before they are called to lead others. Spiritual leadership is one of the most crucial aspects of the health of the church, and leaders needed to be trained and tested as disciples before they lead in any area of the church.
Second, he gave them authority and power to drive out unclean spirits and diseases. Just as Jesus' works authenticated his words, so he gave the apostles the power to do the same works which would help people to experience the truth of the Gospel. Too often today in the church our Gospel is very content driven without giving people a chance to experience the truth we are preaching. Importantly whether we preach, or drive out demons, or heal it is all in the name of Jesus. And the message is the kingdom of heaven has come near. The purpose of any kind of supernatural healing or deliverance is to be a foreshadowing of the kingdom of heaven coming on earth as it is in heaven in the name and power of Jesus.
Finally, we know from the other gospels that Jesus sent out the apostles in two's. Leadership in the church and living out the great commission to go and make disciples, was never meant to be a solo enterprise. We are all fallible and have innate weaknesses and blind spots. Two are better than one. This kind of ministry is draining and there is significant pushback as we seek carry out and move forth God's kingdom. We need others praying for us and having our backs as we often can also be our worst enemy.
As Jesus sent out with authority his disciples he sends us out as well. He has given us his Holy Spirit as a reminder
Of all he said and done.
Jesus thank you for showing us what a true leader looks like. Thank you for calling us and sending us out in your name as you sent out your first disciples. Show us those you call us to link arms with as we go out in Your name and Your power, Amen.
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