Matthew 10:1-4
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
What we usually remember from this passage is the naming of the disciples. Some of the names we recognize immediately, while others are, at best, vaguely familiar. We might notice some of the defining relationships Matthew describes – a pair of brothers, various sons, regional connections. Or we might note that they are all men. (Luke, of course, regularly draws our attention to how many women also followed and supported Jesus, but both evangelists only list the twelve men as the “official disciples.”) Or we may sense the ominous foreshadowing of Judas’ naming, coming last and identified as “the one who betrayed him.”
Whatever we pay attention to, however, we shouldn’t miss two important things. First, Jesus entrusts his disciples with authority. He shares his power and authority with them so that they can now do the things that he has been doing. Second, Jesus entrusts his disciples with a mission. He sends them out to make a difference, spreading the word of God’s coming kingdom and curing people of all manner of illness.
Actually, Jesus does a third thing as well. Actually, it’s the first thing Jesus does, but it’s so subtle it’s easy to miss. He summons them. Which is kind of interesting when you think about it. I mean, I always assume they are more or less traveling together, and so it wouldn’t occur to me that he would need to summon them. But that’s what Jesus does. He calls them together, equips them for a mission, and sends them to carry out that mission.
Might Jesus still be doing the same today ? Might Jesus be summoning us? Perhaps that’s what worship is. Might Jesus be equipping us and entrusting us with authority to lead our Christian lives in the world? Maybe that’s what Sunday morning is about as well. And, finally, might Jesus be entrusting us with his mission and sending us out to make a difference? Well, when you put it that way, that seems like exactly what Sunday worship should be about – sending us out care for the world. (I know these things happen other places as well, various fellowship groups, Bible study, even reading a blog :), but it does offer an interesting and compelling rationale for coming together on Sundays!)
So, yes, Jesus is still doing that today with his disciples – disciples who also have all kinds of relationships, come from different places, and include men and women and children to boot – summoning us, authorizing us, and sending us to make a difference in the world God loves so much.
Prayer: Dear God, grant us not only authority and ability but also the trust that you have indeed called, equipped, and sent us to make a difference wherever we are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: “The Sending of the Twelve,” Duccio Di Buoninsegna (ca. early 14th century).
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