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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 69

1 Peter 2:17 "Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

Day 69 – Mark 3

“Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:17

THE MISSION AND AUTHORITY OF THE TWELVE

The appointment of the Twelve Apostles must be understood and appreciated in the light of the Mission that the Lord Jesus gave to them.

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him
and that He might send them out to preach,
and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.”
MARK 3:14-15

Let us take time to ponder over this text prayerfully.

1. Appointment of the Twelve

a) The principle of selection must be deeply appreciated

Jesus only chose Twelve! What a privilege it was to be among the Chosen!

b) The purposes for which they were chosen

Two were highlighted in this text. They are very significant indeed.

i) To preach the Gospel

These men had never preached before. Many of them were ordinary people with very humble professions. Some were fishermen. One was a tax collector. Nevertheless, they were commissioned to preach the Gospel of the kingdom.

ii) To have power to heal and to cast out demons

What a tremendous plan Jesus had for His men! These men had never seen such power of God in action, till they met Jesus. Now they too would be given the power (better word “authority” exousias in the Greek text) to heal.

2. To be given such authority

The idea of “authority” (translated “power” in the NKJV), safeguards the possible abuse of power in the hands of the apostle.

a) There wasn’t any real power in the hands of the Twelve, as was the case with Jesus.
b) Jesus could wield great power from within Himself
c) The Twelve would have to rely on the authority given to them
i) They would have to seek the Lord in humble prayer.
ii) They would have to consciously wield the power of God as people who were authorized by the Lord Jesus. There would be power for the purpose of healing and for the purpose of casting out demons. But that power would have to be drawn from God!