Gave Authority

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

GAVE AUTHORITY

Matt 10:1-4

10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

NIV

It is interesting that Matthew, the writing of this gospel refers to himself as Matthew, the tax collector. He does not mention any of the other's former occupations, although we know that Peter, James, and John, the sons of Zebedee were fishermen, and most like Peter’s brother Andrew was as well. Jesus is going to give them specific instructions and we will get to them, but first, we should consider the authority Jesus gave them. They had the authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, so it is only right that he is able to give authority to others. It is interesting that is one of the things that we could ask for, authority over evil spirits, and sickness. Jesus said that we could ask for anything in his name, in his authority, and the Father would give it to us. So instead of asking for a new car, or peace, or healing, we could ask for the same authority he gave his disciples. It may be true that it does not appear we encounter too many evil spirits that need to be cast out, except perhaps everyone who is not a devote follower of Jesus, not born again, might be either possessed or at the least, influenced by evil spirits. That is not to say everyone who isn’t a Christians is possessed by a demon, but evil spirits are out there, and we should have authority over them already. We should also have authority over every disease and sickness. However, it seems we believers have resigned ourselves to being subject to the ills of this world. We are living in a body that can be frail or is subject to sickness. Sometimes, we cause our own sickness or infirmity, but still, we should be able to take authority over them, unless the only people Jesus gave authority to and is limited to, are his disciples. If that is the case then we are hopelessly doomed to sickness and disease, with no way out. Sure, we ask Jesus to heal us, but then what if we are not healed? We always make an excuse, using the one time God told Paul that His grace was enough. Yet, Paul had authority, as he would lay hands on people, and they received the Holy Spirit. We know his disciples did do miracles, but we also know that one of the gifts of the Spirit is miracles, therefore we have already been given authority through the manifestation of the Spirit within us to do many things of God. But, just as an officer in the military has the authority over a certain amount of personal, that officer needs to exercise their authority and take charge of whatever the task is. Those enlisted, the none officers, know they must obey the commands given by the one in authority. We have been given authority and we need to exercise it, if the commands and sickness and disease must obey, again, unless we have not been given any authority at all, and it was just for the twelve. But somehow, we have to believe we could have that authority too.