Christian Art | Mission Of The Twelve Apostles | King James Audio Bible KJV
Luke 9: 1-6 – Week 25 Ordinary Time, Wednesday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
1 THEN he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Jesus has amazed the people with his teaching and with his signs and healing miracles. Now Jesus entrusts and enables the Twelve to go out and to do the same. In calling the Twelve, Jesus intensifies the announcement of the good news. Here is a further stage by which Jesus founds his Church, sending his disciples out on mission and giving them power.
The powers Jesus gives to the disciples specifically fulfil the word of God through the prophets as signs of the Kingdom come. We have in Isaiah:
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing. (Isaiah 35: 5-6)
The disciples are sent to announce the Kingdom, to bring the good news to the people, to let them know that God is with them, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. Jesus cited this passage of Isaiah in the synagogue:
THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Isaiah 61: 1-2)
At the time of Jesus, there were diverse movements of spiritual and national renewal: the Essenes, the Pharisees, and the Zealots. These people too would send missionaries, however when they went on mission they were obliged to carry certain things to ensure their wellbeing and to observe the laws of ritual purity. They could not necessarily trust in the hospitality of the people they visit, as Jesus instructs his disciples to do.
Jesus’ instructions to his disciples constitute a message about inclusion and stability. The disciples are to proceed in a spirit of trust. They are to live in the communities to which they travel, staying in one house so as most fully to participate in the life of the community. And they are to heal those within the communities they visit who might be excluded because of sickness, which is to say perceived sin.
This is a time of splendid renewal. The good news is indeed proclaimed. Christ’s Church is beginning – the mission is live and active. As Jesus entrusts his disciples with the work to be done, so the disciples heal people everywhere. This is the true manifestation of God’s Kingdom, which the world has been waiting for.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
On the cross, Lord Jesus Christ,
you stretched out your hands for the salvation of the human race;
grant that our life and work
may be pleasing to you
and bear witness to the power of your redeeming love.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Power And Authority Over Devils In The Old Testament
In the Old Testament, we see examples of God giving His people power and authority over evil forces. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, God warns His people against participating in pagan practices such as divination, witchcraft, and sorcery, as these practices were detestable to Him. Instead, God promised to raise up prophets from among them who would speak His word and have the power to perform signs and wonders.
In 1 Samuel 16, we see how God’s power can be used to overcome the forces of evil. The passage tells the story of King Saul, who was plagued by an evil spirit that caused him to become troubled and fearful. Saul’s servants then suggested that he seek out a musician who could play soothing music for him. David, who was known for his musical talents, was eventually brought before Saul and his playing had the desired effect of calming the troubled king. This story is a clear example of how God’s power can be used to overcome the forces of evil.
In 2 Kings 5, we read about the healing of Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, who had been struck with leprosy. Naaman’s wife’s servant girl tells her mistress about the prophet Elisha, who can heal Naaman. Naaman goes to Elisha, who tells him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman initially resists, but eventually follows Elisha’s instructions and is completely healed. This story shows how God can use His power to heal even the most difficult of diseases.
In the book of Job, we see how God’s power can be used to overcome the forces of evil. Satan is allowed to test Job’s faith and causes him to suffer greatly, but Job remains faithful to God and is eventually rewarded for his faithfulness.
Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer of protection that speaks to the power of God to protect His people from the forces of evil. The psalmist writes: ‘Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.’ (Psalm 91:3-4) The psalmist goes on to describe how God’s power can protect His people from all manner of dangers, including disease and evil spirits.
Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about the coming of a suffering servant who is sent to heal and save God’s people. The passage speaks of the servant’s power and authority to heal, saying: ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:5) This prophecy ultimately points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would fulfill this role as the suffering servant.
In Daniel 3, we read about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. The king ordered them to be thrown into a fiery furnace, but they were miraculously saved by God’s power. This story is a powerful reminder that God has the power to protect and save His people even in the most dire of circumstances.
Elsewhere we read:
- In Exodus 7:10-12, God is demonstrating His power over the gods of Egypt through a supernatural display of His authority. Aaron’s staff, when turned into a serpent, is able to consume the serpents of Pharaoh’s magicians, showing that God’s power is greater than any other spiritual or supernatural force. This is a clear demonstration of the authority and power that God has over all things, including demonic forces.
- In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites were suffering from the effects of their own sin, which had caused them to be bitten by poisonous snakes in the wilderness. However, God provided a means of salvation for them by instructing Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the serpent and be healed. This act of healing foreshadows the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which became a means of salvation for all those who believe in Him. Just as the Israelites were saved from death by looking upon the bronze serpent, so too are we saved from the power of sin and death by looking upon Christ and believing in Him.
- In 1 Kings 18:16-40, the prophet Elijah is demonstrating the power and authority of the one true God over the false gods of the prophets of Baal. When their prayers go unanswered, Elijah calls upon the God of Israel, who sends down fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice. This shows that God’s power and authority is greater than any false god or demonic force that may be at work in the world.
- In Psalm 107:19-20, the psalmist speaks to God’s power to heal and save His people from trouble. The psalmist says that those who cry out to the Lord in their trouble are saved from their distresses, and that God sends His word to heal them and deliver them from destruction. This is a clear demonstration of the power and authority that God has over disease and other forms of physical and spiritual affliction. Those who call upon God in faith can trust in His ability to heal and deliver them from whatever trouble they may be facing.
Matthew Arnold’s ‘Dover Beach’, written in the mid-19th century, reflects religious uncertainty of the Victorian era. The poem captures the emotional and spiritual turmoil of a time when traditional Christian beliefs were being questioned by the rise of scientific discoveries and changing social attitudes. Arnold’s work has been read as a lament for the loss of faith; it is a valuable text for exploring Christian response to modernity [ … ]
When our hearts are pure, our vision becomes clear. We are able to recognize God’s hand at work, His love in action, and His guidance in our lives. We see the beauty of His creation, the divine purpose in every circumstance, and the ways in which God is leading us on the path of righteousness [ … ]
In the face of Judas’ betrayal, Jesus openly and honestly acknowledges himself to those who are come to arrest him. ‘I am he.’ Jesus does this three times, even while those who have come to arrest him shrink back from such simplicity of giving. The courage of Jesus at this point is absolutely remarkable. Jesus has reconciled himself through prayer to his Father. His self-composure at this point as he goes to save us is a shining example to us all [ … visit YouTube – like and share and ring that bell 🙂 … ]
