And He sent them out to announce the kingdom of God and to bring healing (Luke 9). They were the first missionaries commissioned to announce the Kingdom of God. These Apostles were very privileged missionaries under the authority of God Himself. For them there were no worry of any king. Every need was supplied. They were empowered with God’s Spirit to heal and to exercise power over Satan and all demons. The will of YAHSHUA was going to be accomplished while they were announcing His kingdom. The purpose why they were chosen was for that purpose. Three years YAHSHUA trained them to do what He did, in the same power. It has never been God’s purpose that men should be lost because of ignorance; His purpose was for their salvation. This was the reason why He came down to earth, sacrifice His life through rejection and ultimately His death. A price we could never pay for our humanity and sinful life. So, YAHSHUA called together the twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and diseases (Luke 9:1). I am sure that the trip was hard and tiring since they did not have the conveniences we do enjoy in our days. Dusty roads for one. YAHSHUA commanded them not to take supplies for the road for they were already supplied with all they needed. There would be plenty of dust for them to shake out of their feet at the rejection of the message, as YAHSHUA told them to do.
Under the authority of God Himself, although He wasn’t there with them humanely speaking, the disciples took His authority and ran with it. Departing, they went about from village to village, preaching the Gospel and restoring the afflicted to health everywhere. Seeing the miracles, they became excited and reported to YAHSHUA all that they had done upon their return. However, YAHSHUA took them (along with Him) and withdrew into privacy near a town called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). The disciples hadn’t witnessed YAHSHUA’S action behind the scenes of their spiritual warfare, as they confronted the enemies directed, they were not aware that YAHSHUA knew what was happening. His power was with them as well as His authority. Otherwise, they couldn’t have been successful.
As a matter of fact, we live in a world of spiritual warfare. Every day we must face temptations without being aware of it and often falling into it. The Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians, brought to them the awareness of the need to be dressed with the complete armor of God at all times (Eph. 6) in order for us to wrestle against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly sphere. The disciples had YAHSHUA Himself, Who is the Word of God to fight with the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God (Eph.6:17). It is good to remember while we are serving the Lord what we have available to us. We have authority, power and the full armor of God. YAHSHUA well knew the extent of the spiritual warfare they had fought and recommended them to take time in a secluded place to rest in His presence. As a good Shepherd, He offers us rest in green pastures: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Sanctification is available to us in the quiet time in His presence. There, we are blessed with “His goodness and mercy and love; they shall follow all the days of my life, and through the length of my life the house of the Lord shall be my dwelling place” (Ps. 23). YAHSHUA’S presence was promised to be with us all the days of our live. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28). Our Lord offers spiritual rest, free from religious demands. Our Lord offers us a life of love and a life of grace. We will experience Him this way when we take the first step to rest in His presence. His Word becomes reality to our heart and soul, permeating our being with peace. Peace is a restorer and an elevator of our soul to Him.
Light from the Word 