Today we will be looking at Luke chapter 9 and verses one through ten. It is easy to think of the ministry of Jesus and his disciples in the sense that the disciples were just baggage that Jesus carried around with him. However, in today’s passage we see that, even before the cross, Christ had sent them on missions in which they were able to do what Christ had been doing (to some degree). How was this possible? It was possible because Jesus had delegated to them his power and authority.
In the first two verses we see that the word delegated is not used. However, it clearly says that Jesus gave his disciples power and authority. Of course, this is the very definition of delegation. The word “power” focuses on the raw power to do something. The disciples would have this “raw power” because the Holy Spirit would work through them. Jesus was giving this to them. The word “authority” focuses on the right or position that enables one to do something. As personal representatives of Jesus, they are given the right to act on the behalf of Jesus in certain ways.
Now remember that Jesus has more than proven his power and authority by this point. He has shown power over disease and nature. He has also demonstrated power and authority over spiritual powers. So when he tells them that he is “giving” them power we should sit up and take notice. This somewhat amazing command is helped by the very nature of the one giving it.
Freeing a person from a spirit or from a virus is really quite similar. A foreign entity is removed so that a person can operate as God intended them to do. Yet, spirits do have sentience. So Jesus tells them to cast out spirits and to cure diseases. Yet, the authority and power is limited. They are not told to take over the administration of Israel, or to command the Romans to leave Israel. Thus true delegation is powerful and yet limited by the one who is giving it. It is easy to do to dismiss the “backwards” notion of evil spirits. However, those who have honestly researched into these things will find that too many things cannot be explained. I won’t go into it this morning, but God’s Word warns us against opening ourselves up to evil spirits through drugs and occult rituals. These things are ways that people give “permission” to evil entities to begin operating within them. As our nation, more and more, rejects Jesus and God’s Word, we will begin to see more and more demonic activity. Are you ready?
Now in verse two it mentions that they are to preach the Kingdom of God. Thus while they do spectacular works of power, they are proclaiming a message about God’s Kingdom. Israel had longed for the Anointed King or (Messiah) to come and rule with the righteousness of God. His would be a just administration that would truly be God with us. Jesus and his disciples proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was now here. However, it has a present and a future sense. In the spiritual, Jesus would take up rule in the hearts of his believers without an earthly throne. By his Spirit in their hearts he would direct and rule over this kingdom from heaven. This is not exactly what Israel was expecting. They were looking for the Messiah to sit on a throne in Jerusalem and raise up Israel to rule over the world. Now there is a future promise that Jesus will come back to earth in physical form. He will also put down the armies of the nations of the world as they try to stop his coming. Jesus will indeed rule in person on this earth one day. But that day is not yet. Thus there was a strong need for some powerful proof that the disciples were not just making up a likely fairy tale to explain why Jesus had “failed,” once he was crucified.
In verse three Jesus tells them not to stock up on things that they would normally take with them on a journey. Why? Material provisions and our worry about them can often get between us and God’s plan. So, Jesus ensures that they will have to learn quickly how to trust God and Him alone. In some ways not taking anything would make matters worse. From day one they could worry about where their next meal would come from. They could worry more. But, as they found God supplying their needs they would grow in faith. Sometimes God allows us to enter times that seem lean to us. Yet, if we will trust Him, we will find that His supply will remain constant, though maybe not at the level we hope for. If we remain thankful and faithful, we will become more like Christ and bring joy to our heavenly Father.
We also notice that God would provide through people. This is seen in the following verses. This too is a pitfall. Will I become to lean on people more than God who opens their heart towards me? What is my motivation? Am I seeking to mooch off of people or even worse, fleece them? The work of a minister is to be a humble one. I am at the mercy and care of others. I should never take advantage of that, nor become angry when it is not up to my liking. If God calls you to full-time ministry then He will provide for you. It will often come through the help of people who are thankful for your ministry on God’s behalf. Do not let that corrupt you. Rather continually give God thanks no matter what is given and minister freely to those who do not have. Even if you are not called to full-time ministry, no matter what God calls you to do, He will provide. You won’t have to shake people down, or manipulate them through better fundraising techniques. You merely need to pray and be faithful at what He has called you to do.
In verses 4-5 Jesus speaks about the kinds of reception they will receive. Now when we say, “don’t worry about how people receive you,” it doesn’t mean you don’t care about how they respond. But, it does mean we refuse to operate out of a method that will change the message in order to get more to receive us. Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders because he pointed out their sins. Some would receive the disciples. Perhaps because of what was being preached and wanting to know more. Or perhaps, because of a miracle that they had seen the disciples do. They would find people who wanted to be a part of the kingdom of God and would invite them into their houses and feed them.
On the other hand some people would reject them. Not all still believe there is such a thing as the Kingdom of God. Perhaps they have grown cynical. They would be rejected by individuals and yet, Jesus says that they might be rejected by whole villages. The Gospel was not to be changed in order to appease them. Rather, Jesus instructed his disciples to shake the dust off of their feet as they left town. This is a reference to a custom of some religious Jews who, when they left Gentile cities, would shake off the dust from their feet as a sign that they wanted no contamination to cling to them. Yet, here Jesus uses it as a sign that the disciples had been there and would leave evidence that God could point to as proof of the guilt of those who rejected them. When we come in the name and manner of Jesus, He will deal with those who reject us. We need not be bitter or compromising.
In verses 6-10, we see Herod perplexed. Jesus is the king of the Kingdom of God. However, the current King of Israel isn’t sure how to take him. Herod is himself a pretender to the throne. Given to him by Rome’s Ceasar, Herod had no true claim to Israel’s throne. Yet, Jesus does not seem to be trying to take it. He doesn’t “do politics” in a way that Herod understands. Herod also seems to have some guilt about killing John the Baptist. He conjectures that Jesus just may be John come back from the dead.
Although God works indirectly through world leaders, His primary tool in this world is His Church- people who are surrendered to His rule and mission in their life. God has rejected the wise men and the movers and shakers of this world. This perplexes them. They cannot conceive that anything great can truly be done without them. But God has pledged to do exactly this. If you find yourself among the powerful of this world, humble yourself and beg of God for grace. Jesus and His Kingdom will not be brought in by Herod, Ceasar, or the leaders of the world today. Rather, He will do so through the most humble of the earth. 1 Corinthians 2:7- 8 says, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.”
Just as Herod was perplexed with Jesus, so the spiritual powers behind him are at a loss as well. The strategy of Jesus is quite different from the schemes and tricks of the devil. In fact, had satan realized what crucifying Christ was doing for sinners, he most likely would have refrained from instigating the leaders against him. But now Jesus has spiritually bound the strongman. Those who know Christ are given the right and authority to preach the gospel on His behalf. He also chooses to confirm this gospel through signs and wonders that he performs at his desire. Yet, the battle is not completely over. Even as satan is spiritually bound today and all are free to embrace Jesus, many still reject Christ. Eventually God will let the world and its leaders have the way that they have desired, which will only lead to rapid ruin for this planet. So until the Kingdom of God is materially instituted on this earth are you operating within it by the Spirit already? Christ is still delegating today power and authority to His faithful disciples. We must respond in a way that waits upon the Lord for direction as to how he has determined for us to serve him. We must also be bold in this hour when the enemy wants to cause us to fear through intimidation. Respond to the Spirit today by putting your faith in Jesus and becoming a proclaimer of the Kingdom of God.