Have you ever felt defeated, maybe lost? The circumstances of life—perhaps a chronic illness, or a seemingly hopeless job, immense financial pressures, perplexing offspring—can be overwhelming.
As I started reading these chapters, I found my spirit being stirred. Chapter 10 starts with Jesus drawing his disciples together and giving them authority. He then tells them to heal the sick, raise the dead, heal those with leprosy (a side note: when I think of leprosy, although it’s a physical condition, I think of loneliness, isolation. Those with leprosy had to live separated from others so the condition was confined. So I think Jesus was telling them to heal the entire person, not just the physical condition.), and to drive out demons. How incredible! Not only did the disciples get a front row seat to the teachings of Jesus, but they were also witnessing healings and were charged with going out to the lost sheep of Israel.
Jesus continued teaching, often speaking in parables. He warned them of controversy and persecution they would face because of him. He performed miracles for individuals, such as the man with the withered hand and the woman whose daughter was suffering from demon possession, as well as the feeding of the crowds who had gathered to hear him.
What stands out to me is how often the miracle was preceded by a decision by the recipient—a willful decision: a decision to repent (11:20), a decision to receive a word from God (10:11), a decision to attend the synagogue, and then to stretch out his hand (12:9-13), a decision to take a risk after clearly hearing from God (14:29-31), a decision to find Jesus and just touch the hem of his cloak (14:35-36).
We know that some will not receive the miracle because of lack of faith or willful sin. We also know Jesus responded to people with great compassion, reaching his hand to others, such as Peter (14:31), and the people who came to see him, when he blessed and multiplied the food.
I have to reason that as the disciples were witnessing the life of Jesus their faith was growing more solid. They didn’t know what was in the future, but they were being prepared for it. Jesus had given them authority, and they were in the process of understanding the significance of that.
This gives me hope and anticipation for my own life. I have direction and authority from the God of the universe!
