Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Carl Belcher

Have you ever had the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong ambition? Well I was presented with such an opportunity last weekend and grabbed it with both hands..literally!!

Whenever I get the chance to travel overseas with my wife Sarah, I usually have to reassure her during the flight that all those minor noises and vibrations do not mean that we are about to fall out of the sky, they are just a result of the pilot doing exactly what he needs to do to keep us up (or bring us down!)

It's become like a bit of a tradition. As the pilot runs through his pre-flight safety checks, moving the flaps on the wings up and down, I'll say "He's just doing his pre-flight check now..". Then when we are sat at the runway threshold I'll say "He's about to release the breaks and bring the engines to full power..", then as we start to climb I'll tell Sarah that she'll be able to hear the retraction of the landing gear any minute now.
I think that on the whole I manage quite a comprehensive, even riveting commentary of the journey! But, no matter how many times we go through this quirky tradition, Sarah still squeezes the life out of my hand and I still love the rush of hurtling down the runway at 150mph as 90,000lbs of thrust pins me to my seat.. Bring it on!!

Imagine my utter delight then, when a couple of months ago Sarah presented me with a voucher for a flying lesson, Result!!

After turning up at the old RAF bomber airfield and sitting through the pre flight info and cockpit checks, I found myself sat behind the controls of a Cessna, steering it down the runway. It was a fantastic feeling as the pilot took us to full throttle and gently pulling on the controls lifted us into the air.

My feelings of awe and exhilaration soon faded however when after only a couple of minutes since taking off, the instructor in mid chit chat simply said "Right then, you have control"

You have control?!!... WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU MEAN I HAVE CONTROL?!!

Suddenly my joyful calm composure was replaced by an overwhelming desire to reveal to the instructor and the instrument panel just exactly what I had eaten for breakfast. I couldn't believe that only a few moments ago I was sat on the ground being told what all these buttons did and now I was sat at approximately 1500ft off the ground, my hands on the controls staring at my grinning instructor with his arms folded.

I think I started to understand how Jesus' first disciples must have felt here in Matt 10.

They had been having a fantastic time with their master, enjoying the ride as they saw hundreds of people experiencing the miraculous power of God. Blind people received sight, deaf people heard, the lame jumping for joy, even the dead were being raised to life. These were exciting times to be around, let alone to be called one of his followers, and then came the crunch.
Jesus looks out at the harassed and helpless crowds and says to his disciples "it's time for you guys to help me do this stuff"

I'm sure that whilst they must have been excited about being included in this way, they probably felt a little like I did with my hands on the controls of the airplane.

They hadn't had any 'hands on' experience of performing miracles, they were given a few simple instructions and they were about to try and do something which Jesus made look so easy. I think they had every right to be anxious!

The difference between their experience and mine however is that just because the flying instructor gave me his authority to 'take control', didn't mean that he also gave me his ability to fly properly!

But when Jesus got his gang together and "gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matt 10:1), he did just that.

The word authority used here in verse 1 is actually a Greek word 'Exousia'. It doesn't just mean permission, like "You have my authority to step on the grass..", it also means ability or power given by someone.

As Jesus was giving them his authority, he was also passing on the very same ability he had to perform the miracles. It didn't matter that they had next to no experience or felt scared. They had received all that was needed to do what was commanded. What's more, it wasn't like a beginner's portion of power and ability. You know, "I hereby give you power over nosebleeds, mouth ulcers and headaches, just leave the important stuff to me." instead he gave them the whole deal. The amazing thing is that this is still true for you today.

Jesus has called you to do amazing things in his name. Now you might feel like you should have 'L' plates hanging round your neck, or that you haven't got the foggiest idea where to start. Don't stress! It's not YOUR ability that counts, but HIS ability that has comes with HIS authority.

Once you've let that truth sink in you can get on with all that he's called you to do knowing that his power will be at work in your life as you obediently follow his commands.

Just don't forget to relax and take in the scenery once in a while.