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When we read this passage in Luke, we see the disciples being sent out by Jesus. As disciples, they were convinced that anything they saw their rabbi doing, they were also learning how to do. A discipeship wasn’t just about lifelong learning for their minds, but learning for their lives.
And so when Jesus sends them out, they went out believing that the same power and authority they see in Jesus would be with them. It meant that they would go in faith and confidence to be as Christ – for Christ. They represented Him.
For us, we often read this passage and assume that this sending out was only for the disciples. But Jesus calls us to be sent out too! (Matthew 28:19-20) All of us are in our jobs/homes/schools because God has sent us there as his disciples. Like the disciples, we go to our new occupations/locations with very little and then depend on those places to provide finances and support for us. And for the places that reject us, we move on to a new opportunity. It also means that we have a responsibility to be God’s power and authority in that place.
The practical demonstration of that power and authority is a battle won by prayer – by daily praying for our coworkers, patients, clients, cases, projects, supervisors, line managers, etc. We are asking God to work powerfully in their lives – proclaiming good news & healing people everywhere.