Called and Commissioned

Matthew 10:1-16

I wonder how long it was after Jesus called Matthew to follow him that he commissioned him. "Follow me," Jesus had told him. But now he called Matthew along with the other disciples to a different task. "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1).

Matthew went from tax collector to evangelist--and not just any evangelist, but an evangelist who had power to drive out evil spirits and heal diseases.

In essence, Jesus gave a practical exam to his students. He had taught them and now he needed them to apply his knowledge. This exam could also be considered the beta run of the great commission. Christ would eventually call them to the world, but first he called them to Judea. "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:6).

What a great opportunity this was for the disciples. They would take their practicum and get immediate feedback from the greatest teacher ever. Considering that this was their internship, they were given incredible tools to accomplish it (healing power, power over demons, and even power to raise the dead).

Their full time job would later come, but they would have to see the cross first before the great commission. They would experience bitterness before the joy that would drive them to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).