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Freely give

Saturday, December 3, 2005

Matthew 10:1-8
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness: ...

"Preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

All of them must have been so excited. What a fantastic coming-out party for teacher and students alike, reaching out for the golden ring, letting it all come together.

Jesus' spirit passes into his disciples; the authority God gave him, he gave to them. Perhaps the fallen-ness of the world could be conquered after all? Can the disciples pass their authority on to their disciples? That kind of exponential movement wouldn't take long to take the world and change it forever.

If I was planning final restoration of the earth, that's how I'd do it. And the disciples did come back full of stories, joyful, hopeful, inspired. But they were flawed vessels, so I guess it's no surprise that the power they received from God seemed to be short-lived and inconsistent.

Despite their inadequacy Jesus encouraged them, sent them out, praised them, rejoiced with them. He does the same with little old inadequate me. It isn't the results he seems concerned with, but the process. "I have given you everything," he says. "Now give it away, and I will give you even more, so you can give that away too. Therein lies your fulfillment, and the joy of the whole earth."

Let peace, Lord, flow like rivers through our giving.



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