Authority To Drive Out Demons

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark 3:13-19

Matthew collected taxes for Rome, and in the eyes of his fellow Jews, collaborated with the enemy. Tax collectors were despised for their corrupt practices and for requiring the Jewish people to give money to an authority other than God.

Simon the Zealot was devoted to a group of Jewish nationalists and they hated Rome.

Although Matthew and Simon held opposing political beliefs, the gospels do not tell of the two fighting against each other.

When we too fix our eyes on Jesus, the God who became Man, we can find increasing unity with our fellow believers through the bond of the Holy Spirit.

Our strongest allegiance is to Christ, who gives us unity with each other.

Our Daily Bread – October 9, 2016