Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. – Luke 9:1
Jesus called the disciples together. He didn’t just call them to gather, he called them together. Then they went out two by two, separated from one another, but they were together.
When we are captured by God’s call, we will be called together. His call is never to separateness, he calls the church to unity. That doesn’t mean that we are all doing the same thing or that we are all saying the same thing. It doesn’t mean that we dress alike, think alike or look alike. It means that we all seek together to be the people of God together. For us, unity is more important than personal accolades. We want the body to grow together. What good would it be to have a large hand if the body is small.
God calls us together. He calls us all.
Jesus sent them out together. This would not be the last time he sent them out. Why did he send them out now? Because they had been with him long enough to know what to do. They had been around Jesus enough to be strong and faithful. They were young, but they were healthy.
Now the call comes to us as it did to the disciples on that day. Jesus sends us out. He is sending us to the people around us. We have good news for them. We have the power and authority of Jesus himself. Preach the good news. Heal the sick. Bring salvation to the lost.
“Take nothing for the road,” he told them, “no staff, no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. – Luke 9:3
Totally abandon everything and trust Him. Where you go, He will be there. What you need He will provide. For your safety He will stand guard. In rejection, He will encourage you.
Jesus did not want the disciples to take anything that would encumber their ability to travel and share the gospel. What do you have now that encumbers your ability to share the gospel? What habits do you have that keep you from being an effective witness? What sinful baggage are you carrying around?
Abandon it all, for the sake of the call. Leave it behind. Jesus is all you need.
When they finished they returned to Jesus to report all that had happened. They were held accountable for their actions. This is a real life scene that Jesus depicts in many of his parables. He talks about the servants who are held accountable for their use of resources when the master returns home. Paul talks about the judgment of us as believers, when our works will pass through the purifying fire of God’s judgment. In Revelation, John talks about standing before the judgment seat of Christ.
The Call has come forth from Jesus, “Come, follow me.” Have you been faithful to the call?