1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and
authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent
them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither
staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. 4
And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence
depart. 5 And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that
city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against
them. 6 And they departed, and went throughout the villages,
preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was
much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was
risen from the dead; 8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and
by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And
Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear
such things? And he sought to see him.
As Jesus sent forth his twelve disciples on their first mission he was
entering the closing period of his ministry in Galilee. Until now the
apostles had been his companions; henceforth they were to be more strictly
messengers and representatives. Jesus foresaw his approaching rejection
and death, but before leaving for Jerusalem and the cross he wished to
offer himself once more to the people of Galilee among whom he had long
been laboring; and for this purpose he sent out the Twelve. Their
circumstances and the directions given them by Jesus were peculiar to the
time and occasion. However, these commands are not without application to
the messengers of the Master in all ages of the world. They were given
“power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” Such
miraculous gifts were limited to their own day and were designed as
credentials of their mission. It is true, however, that those who
represent Christ must ever be concerned for the mental and physical
conditions of mankind, even though the great purpose is to bring a message
of spiritual import. The latter was, of course, the great purpose of the
apostles. They went forth “to preach the kingdom of God,” as well as “to
heal the sick.”
When Christ commanded the disciples to take nothing for their journey, he
did not intend to impose needless hardships or even to suggest peculiar
denial. He rather intimated the principle that his heralds must not be
encumbered with worldly cares and burdens and that those who proclaim his
gospel may expect to be supported by those to whom the message is
preached.
In advising the disciples to remain in the first home where they were
properly received, he indicated the wisdom of having a fixed center for
their work, of being content with their entertainment and surroundings,
and of avoiding social complications which might hinder their work. They
were instructed, in case they were not received and welcomed as the
messengers of Christ, to show their just displeasure as they departed from
the place, by shaking off the dust from their feet, an Oriental custom
which in this case indicated the disavowal of any possible relationship
with the enemies of their Lord.
“And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the
gospel, and healing everywhere.” These were the supreme representatives of
the great band of heroes who have continued the work and have made known
their message in all times and lands. They were prepared by the divine
instruction of their Master. It has been said that there is something
greater than preaching; it is to prepare preachers. Surely none were ever
so trained and none ever accomplished their work so well; but it is
possible for every follower of Christ to have some part in making known
the gospel of his grace.
The great success of the disciples and the tremendous excitement produced
by their mission is indicated by the fact that the reports of their work
reached Herod the king and made him tremble on his throne. It was not that
he feared what Jesus might do; it was rather because there was something
in the rumor which awakened his sleeping conscience and filled him with a
secret alarm and dread. “It was said by some, that John was risen from the
dead.” Herod had beheaded John, but the memory of his foul deed could not
be buried; now he was wondering what might be the real nature of the
miracles which were being reported and of the Man in whose name they were
wrought. He “sought to see” Jesus. That was mere curiosity. He probably
wished to see some miracles performed. Before long an opportunity was to
be given him to stand face to face with the divine Man, but it was to be
on an unexpected occasion when the latter would stand before him as a
prisoner, when Herod might offer him protection or release; but when the
occasion came he was disappointed by the silence of the Lord and allowed
him to go away to crucifixion and death. One who beheaded John need not
have hoped to understand Jesus. One who violates his own conscience to-day
and refuses solemn warnings to repent, need not expect that Christ will be
revealed to him in his beauty and grace and saving power.