Lent 2016, Day 14: February 23 (Luke 9:1-10)

Today is an important day. Jesus is starting to take the training wheels off. A number of important signs and events are about to take place, and Jesus is racing against the clock to shape the disciples into The Apostles. Time is running out. The question “Who is Jesus?” is about to be asked, and Jesus needs to make sure the disciples have all the information they need to answer it correctly.

“Enough theory!” says Jesus. “It’s time now for you to get out and do.”

Jesus gives them a specific short-term assignment: heal the sick, cast out demons and – most importantly – proclaim the kingdom of God. In giving them this task, Jesus wants to make them rely on God for all their needs, so He strips away all the physical support they might expect to carry along with them. “Don’t take anything with you,” says Jesus. “I want you to look – and live – like you just stepped out your front door for a walk around the block. Find God’s peace and provision in this moment and then carry that moment forward with you.”

Jesus then couples and complements their physical need with spiritual power by giving them authority over demons and disease. Like a one-two punch, it gives the disciples an added boost of effectiveness and confidence. Truly, they know that God is with them – who can stand against them? Jesus is commissioning His Freedom Fighters for their first solo mission. What could be more exciting?

This is also an ominous day. Luke reminds us that Jesus’ ministry – while growing in power and influence – is not operating in a vacuum. Like it or not, Jesus has stepped into a very crowded, dangerous and political ring. Alliances between the Pharisees and the Sadducees are liquid at best, and already there is talk that the priesthood is for sale. Later, when they reject Pilate’s offer to give them Jesus in favor of Barabbas, that invoice will come due.

Even as Jesus foments spiritual revolution, political revolution is on many minds and many lips, and spies are ever present. Out on the fringes of the crowd, someone is observing Jesus and reporting back to Herod. But because they are clearly not “in the know,” the information Herod receives is spotty, incorrect, and confusing at best. Faced with almost daily conspiracies to fuel his raging paranoia, Herod feels besieged. It seems that every time he kills a prophet, another takes his place. Little does he know that Jesus is busy training nearly a dozen to rise up after Him.

The Pharisees, too, spy on Jesus – openly – as they walk beside Him, recording everything He says and examining every word for opportunities to corner Him, condemn Him, and manipulate Him against the Romans and one another. Jesus is wary and aware but not afraid. He knows the time has not yet come for open betrayal, and He works to reach as many of the old guard as He can. Many of these men are Godly men – accomplished scholars and true disciples of Moses who are eagerly awaiting the Messiah’s Coming and determined to daily examine the Scriptures for the necessary proofs. Others, sadly, are not. Instead, they regard Jesus as a game piece to be moved across – or removed from – a vast board that stretches all the way to Rome.

Jesus isn’t worried about the Pharisees or Herod – that old fox – despite the Pharisees’ warnings. As Jesus sends the disciples out with power, it’s those closest to Him that occupy His thoughts and prayers. It’s the men of the knife – the sicarii – and one in particular (ish sicarii) that He has His eye on.