Daily Devotion

 

 

In the ancient days, there was, in effect, only one way of spreading a message abroad, and that was by word of mouth. That is why Jesus sent out the Twelve on this mission. He was under the limitation of time, and space; His helpers had to be mouthpieces to speak for Him.

They were to travel light. That was simply because the man who travels light travels far and fast. God needs a settled ministry, but He also needs those who will abandon earthly things to have an adventure for Him.

 

That this ministry was mightily effective is plain from Herod's reaction. Things were happening. Perhaps Elijah, the forerunner, had at last come. Perhaps even the great promised prophet had arrived (Deuteronomy 18:15). However, as has been said, "Conscience doth make cowards of us all," and there was a lingering fear in Herod's mind that John the Baptizer, whom he thought he had eliminated, had come back to haunt him.

 

One thing that stands out about the ministry that Jesus laid upon the Twelve is this---over, and over again in this short passage it joins preaching, and healing. It joins concern for men's bodies and souls. It was something which was not to deal with only in words but,  comforting, and also in good deeds. It was a message which was not confined to news of eternity; it proposed to change conditions on earth. It was the reverse of a religion of "pie in the sky." It insisted that health to men's bodies was as integral a part of God's purpose as health to their souls.  It is possible to overstress material things, but it is equally possible to neglect them. The church will forget only at its own peril that Jesus first sent out His men to preach the kingdom and to heal, to save men in body, and soul.

 

Life Application: How have you responded to the Master's call to go wherever He may send you? Do you consider His call upon your life as important as His sending the twelve? Do you pray for the sick?

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I am so thankful that Jesus sent out His men as an example for us to follow. I covet the anointing they had in preaching and healing the sick. Father, I long for the results that Jesus' men had during their ministry. I want to see the sick healed just as I want to see sinners accept Jesus as their savior. It is time for the supernatural to be taking place. Amen!