24 September 2025 - he gave them power and authority

Today's Readings
(Audio) 

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority

The Kingdom of God was manifested wherever the power and authority of Jesus was present. He therefore empowered his disciples to have a share in the power and authority that properly belonged to him. This was needed so that they could do what he had first done, proclaiming the Kingdom and healing the sick.

Take nothing for the journey

If they took anything with them there was a risk that they would attribute any success they experienced to the resources they used. Since they took nothing they were forced to rely on providence. Doing so meant they were less likely to assume it was their own talents or treasures that were essential and made them more likely to give the glory to God. Even then, of course, it wouldn't be automatic. But it would help. They were, in a way, mirroring Jesus himself, who did not bring anything with him in the incarnation, but rather emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and coming in human likeness. Self emptying was the secret at the beginning of the mission of Jesus and would be so for his disciples as well. 

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.

They were instructed not to overthink things by always searching for slightly better circumstances, even if doing so could theoretically be advantageous for their mission. So too they were not to be distracted by too much concern for their own comfort. It was essential for them to find some base of operation with people who welcomed them. But trying to find perfect circumstances, whether or not their reasons for wanting them were ultimately self-interested, would tend to be the enemy the good, circumstances sufficient for what they required.

And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.

They were told to not worry too much about whether or not they would be rejected. Rather, they were instructed to plan on rejection, and resolve their minds in advance to handle it without being too upset by it. 

There is perhaps a great disconnect between what was asked of the Twelve and what we feel comfortable claiming as our own roles in the Kingdom. And there is a significant difference between them and their successors and we of the laity. And yet, as baptized Christians we have been anointed as priests, prophets, and kings. We too, in some measure, share in the power and authority of Jesus. We too are called to proclaim the Kingdom in word and in deed. And this means we are called to learn the same lessons that the Twelve learned first.  

We will not be effective in our own mission if we rely too much on ourselves. Really, when we try to do so, we may either begin with naive optimism that is quickly crushed, or else never begin at all out of fear at our lack of capability. We, even we of the laity, need to rely on supernatural providence in order to succeed. It is especially the case for us that we have a wide variety of possible distractions to tempt us, particularly since missionary work isn't our profession. It's fine to have a variety of hobbies and interests providing they don't keep us from doing that to which we know we are being called by God. However, even if we get all of this right, trusting in providence and avoiding distraction, we will still sometimes encounter rejection. The proof of this is to be found in Jesus himself, who obviously never faltered from walking in the will of God, and yet experienced rejection like no other. God can bring glory even out of such rejection, as the resurrection made clear. Our part is to go and get to work, trusting God, proclaiming the word in season and out of season (see Second Timothy 4:2), regardless of the reception we receive. 

Hillsong - This Kingdom