The Power that is More than Enough

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 (Luke 9:1-6).

Great teachers do so much more than simply communicate content to their students. Great teachers are living examples of the philosophy as well as the content they teach. Their goal is to help their students learn to reason correctly so they can become successful life-long learners. Jesus Christ was the penultimate teacher. He infused the hearts and minds of His disciples with truth. He used parables and included living visual aids as He lived and traveled with His disciples. His goal was that His disciples would embrace and apply the never-changing truth He came to reveal… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). True disciples that diligently seek and share Christ’s truth become vivid reflections of their Teacher to the rest of the world… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). This was Jesus’ plan when He sent the twelve closest disciples into the nearby villages to “proclaim the kingdom of God”. He wanted the world to see and the disciples to experience the wonderful way He would accomplish His kingdom-revealing and building work through earnest disciples in every age until He returns. So He gave them everything they would need to depend upon Him for success in the mission, especially the power that is more than enough.

Jesus gives diligent disciples power to do miracles. Giving the twelve power over demons and diseases was a foretaste of the moment when Christ would bestow gospel-confirming power on disciples to preach His gospel in every age and place around the world… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). True disciples trust Christ’s power to deliver and heal as He confirms His gospel.

Jesus gives productive disciples power to preach the gospel. The disciples were not the only traveling preachers and teachers of the day. There were many competing rabbis with their various schools of disciples. But the power and authority of the gospel, when it is preached in it purity, without corruption, is heart and life transforming. The Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to add confirmation to the veracity of the power of the gospel… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). True disciples trust Christ’s power to convict hearts and save souls as they faithfully preach His gospel.

Jesus gives maturing disciples power to grow in faith. The twelve were not to become dependent on anything other than Christ. They would learn to trust that Christ would establish their agenda, direct their course, and lead them to others whom He would prompt to support and encourage them along the way. Taking nothing would force them to pray and trust that Christ would supply their every need. The Apostle Paul learned and declared this encouraging truth in His epistle to the Philippians… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Disciples who trust Him alone to direct and provide for their personal and ministry needs have a growing faith that gives increasing glory to Christ… “The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). True disciples trust Christ’s provision as they diligently share His gospel.

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to trust…

The Power that is More than Enough.