Luke 9:1, 2, 6 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

A very basic, yet easily overlooked, part of this story is that the 12 did as they were told. There is no record that any of them said, “I can’t do that,” even though in their own strength they couldn’t. I’m reminded of the motto of one of the army units I was associated with: “I’ll try, Sir.” That came from an historical incident in which they were commanded to make a seemingly impossible assault – up a cliff, or something like that – and having given that response, they were successful. The 12 hadn’t been associated with Jesus more that a year or two at the most at this point, but they were committed to obe­dience, which enabled His authority to operate through them. It strikes me that the 12 here included Judas, whose faith and understanding were very flawed at best, but to the degree he was obedient, the authority still flowed. God doesn’t require perfection of us – He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14) – but He does ask for obedience. That’s what Lordship is all about, and if Jesus isn’t our Lord, He isn’t our Savior, either. That’s a point a lot of people either ignore or try to weasel out of, but such an attitude does not lead to salvation! God desires to do great things for and through each of His children, but they must be obedient for it to happen.

I’m certainly not the “paragon of virtue” here. I have kicked at what I was told more times than I could count, not doing it or even doing the opposite. That’s not the way to blessing! By God’s grace He does indeed “work in [me] to will and to do His good pleasure,” (Philippians 2:13) and I am deeply grateful. However, I need to be active and intentional in my obedience. As a pastor, I need to be encouraging that attitude in the believers. I have lost count of the people who have come through this church with great potential that was greatly marred by a rebellious attitude toward authority. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been hesitant to exercise the authority God has invested in me. I am always to speak God’s truth in love, but I must not draw back from the message of obedience to God, and by extension, to those in whom He has invested authority.

Father, that isn’t what I expected to write! I’ve seen pastors who were petty tyrants, and I want none of that. However, You have spoken to me many times over the years about exercising the authority You have placed in me, and I haven’t been fully obedient myself. I know that the full unfolding of Your plans for me and for this church depends on our full obedience, and that’s got to start with me. Help me hear You clearly and follow You fully, so that all that You intend for us may be fulfilled on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!