Training the Disciples

Luke 9:1-9

Jesus was the ultimate teacher. The first part of his ministry has been devoted to teaching the basic truths, both verbally and by demonstration. After a time, the person becomes satiated with facts. One of the biggest reasons kids drop out of school is because they do not see the relationship between what they are learning and what they want to do in the future.

The author of The Seven Laws Of Teaching states that no learning takes place until original thinking is done. Students who learn think about what the teacher is telling them, and about what they see done, but their thought is limited to what they have seen. Only when the student actually performs independently does he get the opportunity to think it completely through and test his conclusions. There is a tendency to maintain a controlled setting to long, and the pupils lose interest because they see circumstances outside the controlled environment that need addressed.

After a period of listening and observing, he sends his disciples or pupils, in particular, the twelve apostles, out to put what they have learned into practice. It is primarily a training mission, and his instructions are quite detailed, but they are fully on their own. They are fully equipped to meet the challenges they may meet along the way.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.” (Luke 9:1-6)

It is a real mission, to preach the word, and to heal the sick. They are to take no emergency provisions, but to depend on God to supply. It is a preparation for when Jesus will no longer be there. They are not to waste time trying to reach people who will not listen, nor are they to spend time trying to find a better opportunity. They are to simply go to a place that seems interested and stay, dealing with the situation as it exists. Jesus has already demonstrated each of these actions while they accompanied him.

As I read historical records and talk to older people, I am amazed by the difference in the expectations of the past and those of today. When he was five years old, a friend of mine was sent with his seven year old brother to herd sheep. Once a week or so, his parents came and checked up on the boys, and brought them some more flour and beans to cook. Another five year old was sent to bring back some horses that had gotten out. Seeing a bear, he climbed a tree and spent the night, bringing the horses home the next morning.

Today, parents are afraid to allow adult children to go to college or live independently because they might fail. As a result, many are dependent and never attain fulfillment. They never learn why they need to learn what others tried to teach them and they drop out of life. Many drop out of church and the Lord’s work because they see no relevance to their life or what is expected of them. While I believe that it is possible to assign too much responsibility, it is just as harmful to protect people too much. They need to learn the results of their actions in order to mature.

Because of their experiences, the apostles would be aware of areas they needed to know more, and more receptive of what Jesus was teaching them. They now had an understanding of the relevance of what they learned. It would equip them for their future ministry.

During the same period, and possibly as a result of the multiplying of preachers, Herod began to hear about Jesus’ ministry. He also heard various explanations as to who Jesus was. Knowing that he had beheaded John, he didn’t believe it could be John, although some thought it was. He was curious himself, but had no abiding interest beyond satisfying his curiosity. His curiosity was satisfied when Jesus was brought for trial.

“Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.” (Luke 9:7-9)

That Herod’s only interest was curiosity is shown by his handling of Jesus’ trial and his later persecution of the church as described in the book of Acts. A deeper interest would have impelled him to check out Jesus teaching more closely.