1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
So his superpowers were transferable? But it seems like the disciples couldn't transfer them to their disciples and so on? Otherwise why don't the Pope and the Bishops have them today? Oh, and Judas got those powers as well. Either Jesus didn't know that Judas was going to be the 'bad guy' or he didn't care at that point since Judas helped healing and casting out demons.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. So unlike Paul Jesus focussed on the Jews, not the Gentiles. In this story Jesus is described as a Jew wanting to correct Jewish behavior.8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Raising the dead was really something quite ordinary at the time.
9 "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
So they shouldn't earn money but live from the support of those that they helped. Quite hippie-like again.
23 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
So the Apostles are still going through the cities of Israel ... ?
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master."
So it's obvious that the Jews had slaves. That sounds very moral and loving to me ...
27 "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
That's a uncommon image: Jesus referring to himself as speaking in the darkness.
34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD."
Interesting words from the so-called Prince of Peace!
37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
He's not really the family guy, is he? That's probably because even his mother and his brothers declared him crazy at some point.
2 comments:
Jesus actually predicted his betrayal in Mark 14:17-21. Jesus knew that he was going to die -- it was part of his mission.
All of these actions that the disciple carry out are made possible by gifts of the spirit (see Ephesians 4:11-13). So no person can give these gifs, but they are gifts of the holy spirit.
Matthew 10:37 I realize may be hard to understand, but in my case I love my wife and my children dearly. But I don't love them more than God. My faith in God and belief in the scriptures make me a better husband and father. So by putting God first I am elevating my wife and children.
But time and again people are led astray by brothers, sisters, husband, and wives. Even nonbelievers have a conscience. It's not a stretch to understand that your family may ask you to go against your conscience to do something that isn't right.
I happen to believe your conscience is the holy spirit. I believe in prevenient grace, which means you have God working in you even before you acknowledge it.
roadtrip:
It's nice of you that you attribute even nonbelievers a conscience ;)
Post a Comment