NOTES for Luk 9:1-6
Jesus is truly a Teacher: He alternates His disciples’ “theoretical instruction” with “practical exercises.” Indeed, they spend only three years with their Teacher, learning from Him everything they are capable of receiving, and then they will have to carry the Gospel and preach the Kingdom of God throughout the world. While still learning, they must experience the taste of mission, see how the word of God acts in the world, how evil retreats, and how the eyes of those who receive the Good News light up. Later, after Christ’s Ascension, they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and a special power to bear witness to Christ, but even now Jesus equips them with everything needed for preaching: instruction and “power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” Mission is service, and therefore the messengers must not display worldly power or wealth; they are called to rely on God in everything. Their task is to bring the message, not to persuade or force people to accept it, and healing the sick is not a dazzling spectacle intended to attract unbelievers, but simply a nonverbal testimony that the Kingdom of God has drawn near.