Matt 10:1

"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease" Matt. 10:1

When any air force builds a new plane, it is test-flown many times, making modifications between each series of test flights until the craft is totally air-worthy. When a basketball team is preparing for the new season, they play several non-conference games in order to prepare the team for the coming competition. Jesus is preparing his disciples for the work of the ministry they will be leading in a few months - by sending them on a test run.

Until the time of today's verse, the disciples had been in "schoolroom" mode. He had taught them many things. He had led them through many experiences. He has shown them miracles. He had demonstrated for them the compassion he expected them to model when they became the leaders of the Church. Now, things are about to change.

Jesus equips his disciples with tools that up until this moment only Jesus has used. He gives them authority over demons. They can now order them about - and command them to leave their human hosts. This is a spectacular upgrade of ministry. Imagine the power, the authority, the influence these men now have at their disposal. They immediately became "supermen," capable of doing much of what the Son of God did. The question arises: could they handle this new power?

Add to this power over demons, the ability to heal every kind of disease and sickness. Cancers - healed! STD's - gone! Mental disease, congenital disease, heart disease, paralysis, blindness, leprosy - all cured! Now the disciples have real power. And, Jesus is about to send these men into the cities, towns, and villages of Israel. Did Jesus, the Son of God, really know what He was doing? How would the people respond to these twelve disciples of the Rabbi doing things that only He had done in the past? How would Satan respond to this escalation of the war he had fought with God? Would he even recognize the sharing of this divine authority?

As a matter of discussion, how would you respond to having that authority given to you? Can you handle it? Will you know how to use it?

You do have that authority. It was given to you when Jesus gave His commission to the church. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18

Jesus is sending us on a test mission as well. We, as believers, have been taught by Jesus' spokesmen for years. We are well trained. It is time for us to depart on our training mission. It will be a life-changing experience for us if we choose to take the challenge. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.