Luke 9:1-6 KJV
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 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.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Those that know your Gospels very well know that this story here does not meet up with the story after the cross of Peter not feeding the sheep. Here they are being taught to lead, taught to seek, and taught to find those that would hear the Gospel of Jesus and also bringing them healing both physically, spiritual and whatever else is needed in their life. Jesus is teaching them to go into the highways and byways of life seeking those needing a Savior. Seeking those who may only might offer shelter and food as well. They were to go empty handed into the places they went seeking those in need of Jesus. In Acts after the baptism of the Holy Spirit you see the boldness of Peter of telling the cripple he had no money to give him but what he did have was the ability to heal in the name of Jesus. He took the man by the hands and lifted him up.

There a point the cross had done something to the disciples that they need Jesus those forty some days that the stayed on earth teaching them before ascending to the Father. Do we need encouragement today to spur us on in the work of faith? What was fueling the disciples in the beginning would of been not only the ability Jesus had given them the authority to have, but seeing Jesus himself perform many miracles. Were they Jesus no. In fact there is a case where a boy is brought to Jesus possessed by demons who would be thrown into the fire that the disciples could not heal. Jesus cast out the devil in the boy and the disciple wonder why they could not. Two things here it shows Jesus authority vs man and it showed them faith, prayer and fasting was needed for certain type of deliverance. The power of God bestowed on the disciples seen here comes with two keys, faith and prayer. Two keys vital in ministry and in the work of the Lord, but when one is stumped on how to solve something fasting is needed. Sacrifice of enter man is needed. The coming to the Lord in fasting and prayer is necessary for the deliverance.

Here we see one more thing, something was happen with the twelve that they eagerly obeyed Jesus going house to house and to surrounding areas where Jesus would preach and teach. Something was happening to bring people to Jesus. I live in small town where at one time phones would of been scarce and even obsolete. Papers may or may not been delivered. The word of mouth, which is still very much in vogue today still spreads the word the carnival is in town or the information of what happening is spread by people. In truth without computers things still came in and the crowd still came as well. God's word came to the people because of the miracles seen and the wonders performed not only by Jesus but by the disciples. Disciples role in Christ ministry was to catch men and bring them to Jesus. Not in chains but by evidence of who Jesus was.

Dear Heavenly Father as we reflect over the gospels and the spreading of the gospels at the time of Christ, after cross and then after Christ departing, helps us to see your grace to strength your disciples and even your disciples today. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Mark 9:28-29 KJV
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Acts 3:1-9 KJV
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: