Given Authority

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

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. Matthew 9:35 – 10:4 

Life is very fragile. I remember bringing our eldest child home, a new first time mother at age twenty two, terrified by the responsibility we had for this little one. Given authority also means responsibility that never goes away. Caring for any human being, let alone a little child is a huge and overwhelming responsibility. I learned to pray after she came home and haven't stopped praying since. I knew I couldn't carry it alone.

We find Jesus giving his disciples authority. This also meant that they had great responsibility for the care of the people they encountered along the way. They were entrusted with other folks' lives. I imagine, like me and all of us, they were terrified and afraid of failure. God invites us to understand authority as great responsibility, our ministries as daily acts of service and care.

Today, I ask God to help me serve those who I encounter on the way. May we all accept the authority we have been given as a call to deeper care and deeper, daily prayer.