“5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans: 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. 9 Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; 10 no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 11 And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth. 12 And as ye enter into the house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.”

The disciples were sent out two by two. They became ambassadors for Jesus Christ. They had a mission. They had authority and authorization from the Master, Himself.             

 I had a part in organizing a local evangelistic campaign for Ralph Bell, one of the associates of Billy Graham. I couldn’t believe the extent of preparation and the months of work before his coming and after his going. We set up a whole office and organized many people for the task from counseling, choir, set up, advertising, prayer, follow up, meetings with pastors, operation Andrew, accounting, social concerns and more. But none of that means a thing if the Lord isn’t in it. The significant thing here is that the ones were sent out by God with a special job to do.

The men with Jesus were not 12 men who happened to be friends. That was not their purpose. They were rather individuals working in teams according to the plan of God. They were especially chosen to learn, study and work with Jesus so that they could carry on the task after Christ was gone. They were to have a mission; and Jesus was preparing them for that task. It was “on-the-job training” while the master was with them for He knew soon He would depart.             

God does call ALL 12 to go out in this passage. Later we read where 70 people are sent out ones. There is a difference between those chosen by God to carry on what you might call full time Christian service and those who are to be witnesses no matter who you are as a follower of Christ. Use your gifts and talents even though you might not have the experience of a “special calling” of the Lord for it was all who had the general call which often turned into something bigger on a day-by-day basis. Many men and women look back and see God’s hand and direction in their lives without realizing it at the time. I was using my “pastoral” gifts long before I knew I had them.

With ordination, a candidate is asked about his call into the ministry. I believe part of the proof is in the pudding. In other letters and books in the New Testament there seems to be an increased examination of the candidate and the confirmation by other leaders in the church. This happened with Paul and with Timothy and Titus.  We understand elders were appointed by the leaders and the church in some church planting works. These men were especially called. We are all on a mission to serve Christ in various degrees and according to our opportunities. We are to be obedient and desirous to let the Lord use us.

Application:    Watch for opportunities that will be presented and instead of quickly saying no. Pray about it with the thought, “Yes I will serve unless the Lord says no or not now.” 

Prayer:  Father help me to use my skills, talents and opportunities for the You.  I anxiously look ahead to how You will lead in both small or greater ways.

Prayer: