Sent with His Power

Reading — Luke 9:1–6

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” — Luke 9:1–2

During Lent we remember that following Jesus means sharing not only in His grace but also in His mission. In Luke 9, Jesus gathers the Twelve and entrusts them with His own authority to proclaim God’s kingdom and bring healing to the broken. This moment marks an important turning point. As the New Testament scholar N. T. Wright observes, Jesus knew that His time with the disciples would be short and that a difficult destiny lay ahead. Even though they did not yet understand it, He was already beginning to share His vocation with them. They needed to learn to do what He was doing—to trust God as He trusted God. Their message would not be about themselves but about Jesus and the kingdom He announced.

Jesus then gives them an unusual instruction: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money” (Luke 9:3). At first glance, these disciples hardly resemble the ambassadors of a king. Wright notes how strange this must have appeared. Unlike traveling teachers who carried money-bags for what they collected along the way, Jesus forbade His followers to take such provisions. Their mission was to be a venture of faith from beginning to end, relying entirely on God’s provision and the hospitality of others. In this way the disciples learned that the power of the kingdom does not come from resources or status but from trusting the God who sends them. As Paul later writes, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Luke tells us simply that the disciples obeyed: “They set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere” (Luke 9:6). This short mission was unique in Jesus’ ministry, yet it prepared the disciples for the larger work that would come after the resurrection and Pentecost. Lent reminds us that we too are called to participate in Christ’s work. We may feel unprepared or ordinary, yet the same Lord who sent the Twelve still sends His followers today. When we step forward in faith—speaking hope, offering compassion, or bringing healing where we can—God’s transforming power continues to move quietly through our lives.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Teach us to trust You as Jesus trusted You. Give us courage to share in the work of Your kingdom, even when we feel weak or uncertain. Help us rely not on our own strength but on the power You give through Christ. Send us into the world with compassion and faith, so that Your transforming grace may touch the lives of others.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.