He Gave Them Power – Matt 10
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” — Matthew 10:1
When Jesus first called his disciples, he said, “Come and see” and “Follow me.” They were called first to observe Him and watch Him work.
After a period of watching and learning, it was time for Jesus to send them forth to preach and to minister. Before He sends them out the Bible says, that “he gave them power.”
The power He gives them here is to cast out demons and heal sickness and disease. Later in v.7-8, we read that these miracles were to follow the preaching. They were an authentication of their message.
Jesus also gave them quite a bit of training and encouragement in Matthew 10 about their job, about the fears, the challenges, the rewards, and God’s enablement.
Later in Acts 1, when the disciples are sent to the whole world, they are again promised power of the Holy Spirit to witness to Christ’s resurrection.
Christ sends us out, but not without power. Just as He gave power to the disciples, He gives power to us. We have the Holy Spirit if we are saved. And the Holy Spirit will help us. The Holy Spirit will equip up. The Holy Spirit will fill us with boldness and power and make us effective.
Let us go, but not in our strength, in the power and might of God’s Holy Spirit!
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” — Acts 1:8