Deuteronomy 14:28-15:23; Luke 9:1-6; Psalms 72:1-14; Proverbs 18:2-3
NT: “Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for the road,” he told them, “no staff, no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.” (Luke 9:1-6 CSB)
After traveling with Jesus for some time and learning from Him, the 12 disciples were sent out to practice what they had learned. Though they were not to take any provisions, Jesus didn’t send them out empty handed. He gave them power and authority. Power is the ability to do something, and authority is the right to do it. Jesus gave them both the ability and right to cast out demons and heal the sick. Their primary task, however, was to proclaim the kingdom of God – to herald the good news that the kingdom of God had come and was available to all who would repent and believe. The power and authority of the kingdom was given to them to validate their claims that the King had come to release the captive, to restore sight to the blind, set free the oppressed, and cancel every debt. So that is what they did: they went from village to village proclaiming the good news, and validating signs and wonders followed them as they preached. We have been given the same commission, and we have also been given abiding power and authority through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We just need to actually do what we have been commissioned to do.
Psalms: “God, give your justice to the king and your righteousness to the king’s son. He will judge your people with righteousness and your afflicted ones with justice… May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor… May the king be like rain that falls on the cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth. May the righteous flourish in his days and well-being abound until the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth… Let all kings bow in homage to him, all nations serve him. For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight.” (Psalms 72:1-2, 4, 6-8, 11-14 CSB)
This psalm was a prayer, either written by Solomon over his own rulership, or it was written for Solomon by David his father. Though it originally pertained to Solomon’s kingship, it can also apply to the kingship of the Son of David, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. While this prayer was prayed for Solomon, it has it’s ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Our King rules in perfect righteousness and administers perfect justice. He will vindicate the afflicted, help the poor, and crush the oppressor. Pure, true, and lasting justice can only be found in Him as His kingdom is allowed to fully come. If we truly want to see righteousness and justice on the earth, then we need to submit to our Lord in prayer and say, “Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth, just as it is in Heaven.” We need to proclaim the Kingdom.
Jamie Hicks 