One of the most moving facts about the ministry of Jesus was that he did not keep his special powers to himself.

One of the most misunderstood texts in the Bible is that where Jesus says "No one comes to the Father but by me." Many have taken offense at it, imagining it to be similar to the arrogant abuses of power we so often see in the world around us. "Do it my way," is something we often hear from petty people who have gotten a little power.

This is not in the character of God, as this mission of the twelve disciples proves.

When Jesus said no one could come to the Father except through him, he was simply warning people not to waste their time looking elsewhere. It was like what an architect of a building might say: "This is the only way to get onto the roof," or what the captain of a ship might say: "This is the only way to start the engines."

God is not trying to keep people out of Heaven; he is trying to get everybody in. He is "not willing that any should perish," as Peter explains. He wants his "house full," as Jesus said in the parable of the great feast.

Jesus does keep his powers to himself as a magician jealously guards the secrets of his performance or as a master chef keeps his recipes to himself. And when we see Jesus giving the twelve disciples power to cast out demons and heal all diseases, we see the heart and policy of God. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," Jesus told his disciples. He also assured them that he did not speak on his own, but only what he heard from the Father.

On another occasion he told them "Fear not little flock; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Here Jesus shows us that it was God’s good pleasure to have the disciples enjoy the power to cast out demons and heal diseases, and it made them rejoice when they found they could do it, as we read in the account of their return from this assignment.

Judas was in that group, even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. So was Peter, even though Jesus knew the weaknesses of Peter. Paul says we have "treasure in earthen vessels," and surely the power to heal and the authority over demons was a treasure put in these twelve earthen vessels. And God is still willing to put treasure into weak human beings today.

Notice the order of events. First, Jesus called them, from the ordinary things they were doing to come together and be with himself. Second, he gave them the power. Third, he sent them out to preach the good news of the kingdom, and to heal. Just so he has called us and commissioned us.

He did not send them out to do a job until he had first called them to himself, and he did not send them out without giving them what they needed to do the job. But notice also that he did not give them the power just to have sitting idle as they went about ordinary tasks. When he gave them the power, he also gave them the mission.

This applies to you and me as well. God is not reluctant to give you all you need, from his infinite resources, for whatever you have to do. He has given us his armor, his name, and enough weapons to pull down strongholds. Remembering that has cheered me up many a time.