Lesson 27 The 12 are sent forth Luke 9:1- 17

Heralding and Healing 9:1- 6

9 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Luke 9:1–6.

The “12” are complete at this time and are being trained by the Lord Jesus and are given “Power” and “Authority,” or “ability “ and the “right-permission!” Hence the title “Heralding and Healing.” The proclaiming or “heralding” part of it is “lifting up your voice like a trumpet.” The healing is just what it says, even though two different words are used in this context. In verse 1, the “cure” is the word “Therapuow” from where we get our word therapeutic. The word for healing in verse 2 is “iaomai.” The word is pronounced with an “H” at the beginning so it would be “Hiomai.” That means to heal and make healthy again. The 12 are ushering in a new form of ministry for God’s people and it is to be done with a demonstration of power and authority. Special gifts befitting the occasion of public ministry without the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus.

Preparation is a key to ministry but here the ministry is based entirely on dependency in Christ Jesus our Lord. I dare say, even in those times, these were bold instructions because of the the human need and the nature of the surrounding elements. Jesus tells them to literally “take nothing for your journey.” More specifically:

No walking stick or CCP

No backpack

No food

No money or credit cards

and wear only the clothes on your back.

6. Do not pre plan your lodging.

And, they departed and did the job of preaching and healing. Pretty radical stuff for any measure of faith. The ministry goes from massive crowds to two guys each going house to house. If your presence is not welcome, just promptly do the “apostle stomp” in their front yard and leave. The idea is that they are truly responsible for their spiritual condition once they have rejected the apostles message of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom. It seems that their first foray on their own was hugely successful as it caught the attention of Herod the Tetrarch.

The King’s Son takes Notice 9:7-9

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

My first reaction is that Herod sounds like the demon that confronted the 7 sons of Sceva and said, “Jesus, I know, Paul, I know, but who are you?” Good question. Perhaps Herod is dealing with some conscience issues. His hearing of the miraculous things done by Jesus and his 12 followers and downright “perplexed” this minor king. He was truly puzzled at this situation that was difficult to explain and comprehend. We do have people of the day trying to compare the situation with John and Baptist and the major prophets of old. Has one of them risen from the dead? Herod is thinking, “ I need to meet these guys,” or “I have got to get me one of these!” This apostolic missionary journey is making waves and that leads us to an example of Jesus taking care of ministry needs without money.

Feeding of the Five Thousand 9:10- 17

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

This was no doubt an exciting staff meeting took place about what had been done in ministry. It was all taking place after the two by two pairings of the apostles! Jesus withdrew to Bethsaida with the 12 and there they talked through their experience of public ministry. It was ministry beyond the temple. But people found out where they had gone, so the crowds ensued. Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them and people were healed in addition to hearing His message.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

As the day began to wear onward(vs.12), the apostles said that the people need to leave and find lodging and seek provisions because we are in such a desolate place. Jesus said to feed the people. The 12 said that there were only 5 loaves and two fishes. Consider there were 5,000 men. If we add women and children there were many more, but feeding the 5-K is the name of the story. Next Jesus has everyone get in groups of 50, and they did. Jesus blessed the loaves and the fishes as He looked up to heaven. Then He broke the loaves and as he did so, the loaves never got smaller and the fishes never quite producing meat. All of this food was then dispersed to the crowd after the blessing. It says they all ate. they were all filled to satisfaction. Was this the start of the first Filet-o-fish? I do not think so but there could be a coincidence to it’s enduring popularity today? Hmm:) The second part of the miracle is not just the loaves and fishes being multiplied, but how many leftovers there were after everyone had eaten. The blessing of God rules the day! Jesus makes the difference in any ministry setting! If there is a question as to what can be done for an impossible situation, then take inventory of the possibilities and ask God to bless the results. You may not see the feeding of the 5,000, but you may see your family or your church filled to the point of overflowing. Impossible today? Not according to Scripture:

King James Version Ephesians (Chapter 3)

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

According to your own words The Lord Jesus Christ can do exactly that. He can do even better than you can boast. To God be the glory, great things He has done!