Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the NET, netbible.org, all rights reserved)

Heal the sick in that town and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come upon you!’
Luke 10:9 (emphasis added)

Jesus didn’t have any wasted words. He didn’t gossip. He didn’t speak idly. That doesn’t mean that He didn’t do small talk. That they didn’t joke about how Peter looked when he almost swallowed that fish bone. Or laugh at how John looked when he slipped on a cow patty. Or just spent time talking about stuff and things and stuff. But NO word Jesus spoke was IDLE. There was a purpose in all of it and He NEVER spoke words contrary to the faith that He filled up DAILY with prayer and OFTEN with fasting.

So when Jesus told them to go and do something, He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t using a parable. He wasn’t pranking them. He was giving cut and dried instructions. A command. Go and do this thing. No grey area. Words of instruction, impartation, and authority. He did not ask them to pray to Him or His Father. He did not ask them to go and see if the Father was willing. He did not ask them to try it out. He told them to do it. Because the Kingdom of God was near. Because there was Peace between God and humanity. Because they were in a NEW covenant. While there is some dispute about the last chapter of Mark (Chapter 16), there is NO dispute about this command that is repeated in several places. Go and do. It’s what we are empowered to accomplish. That has NEVER been revoked. Not ONCE in all of scripture. Go and do. Forever.

Why did Jesus send them? The Twelve and then later the seventy? A lot of reasons, I’m sure. But one important point is this: the Holy Spirit was NOT indwelling them. Not yet. “And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:49). Jesus told them to wait AFTER He was resurrected to wait until the Holy Spirit came. Today’s verse happened before that. As much as a year before. This was authority to heal based SOLELY on the NAME of Jesus. He told them to go and do in His NAME only. If this was possible BEFORE the Holy Spirit indwelt mankind, how much more is it possible NOW?

The early church was serious about the ABSOLUTE connection between PREACHING and HEALING. It was part of the same package. No separation. The WHOLE CHURCH believed this. This was NOT only the Twelve. This was NOT only the other apostles. This was for EVERYONE in the church. “And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”” (Acts 4:29-30).

When they spoke with great courage, when healing happened THEN they looked for miraculous signs and wonders. Did you see that? Speaking the Gospel and healing were ASSUMED. They asked for signs and wonders ABOVE that. Healing when you speak about Jesus and salvation is the BARE MINIMUM. Because healing is part and parcel with the Word. They are entwined.

“My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for they will provide a long and full life and well-being for you. Do not let mercy and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your inner self” (Proverbs 3:1-8).

Healing to your body (physical) and refreshment to your inner self (spiritual). Healing for the inner and outer man. From the Word. From keeping yourself in the BLESSING place of Yahweh. From being OBEDIENT out of LOVE for ADONAI. Because we obey when we love (John 14:15). It isn’t a burden. It’s a privilege. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves the father loves the child fathered by him. By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith (1 John 5:1-4).

We the believer have the authority of Jesus’ name. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). If we have the authority of His Name, we can do everything that His Name empowers. We are empowered to HEAL. We are empowered to preach and teach the Gospel. When we do this, and do it under the guidance, correction, instruction, and leading of the Holy Spirit, miraculous signs and wonders WILL follow.

We are not asked to pray for the Father to heal them. We are not asked to pray that Jesus heals them. We are commanded TO heal. Active. Verb. Just do it. Why? Why are we TOLD to heal? Because WE aren’t the ones doing it. Because it was ACCOMPLISHED two THOUSAND years ago (physically) and even more than that spiritually (Ephesians 1:4). It’s like He baked a cake, put a slice on a plate and placed it in front of us, and we’re begging Him for a taste. He even put the fork in our hand, and STILL we beg and plead. It’s ridiculous.

Yahweh wants to heal. He is the God who HEALS (Exodus 15:26). We only need to give Him opportunity. A point of contact. Someone with free will who is saying YES to His AMEN. Someone willing to teach and preach the Gospel of freedom from sin and the curse of the Law. Not in a legal format or a list of rules and procedures. A simple asking Adonai what He wants to do and then obeying what He says.

If we obey, He WILL move. He said do and He does not lie. Go out and let Him work through you. Let Him do the work. In you and in others around you. Don’t be a mindless disciple, but a free-thinking, obedient, loving child of Yahweh letting Him do what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants. Greater is He who is in you than what is coming against you, trying to rob you, or keeping you from those who so desperately need Him. Go. Preach the Gospel of peace between God and Humanity. Heal the sick. Watch for miracles.

He doesn’t lie.

Daily Affirmation Jesus IS Messiah: Leviticus 17:11

“for the life of every living thing is in the blood. So I myself have assigned it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives, for the blood makes atonement by means of the life.” The blood makes atonement. Nothing else will do. Not the temporary blood of lambs and bulls, but the sinless blood of Messiah. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24). But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Messiah gave His blood for all sinners and paid the price. Messiah atoned for OUR fall. Jesus IS Messiah.

Your Daily Confession of Jesus/Yeshua’s Identity:

Yeshua is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16b