“For this purpose have I come.” Jesus just finished healing people from illnesses and demonic possession, and he says his purpose for coming to earth is to preach? Really? Preaching is more important than healing people? That’s why He came? To preach? One can infer that the Father told him in prayer that, despite his desire to heal people all day, his purpose is to tell them about heaven and eternal life, because that is what is going to help prevent the effects of sin in future generations. And indeed the gospel has mitigated the effects of sin. Jesus’ gospel message is what led people to care for the sick and establish hospitals, and compose the rite of exorcism for driving out demons. Also, the ascetic life of monks who follow Christ’s example and teaching is among the most healthy lifestyles one can adopt. In saying, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach,” Jesus is telling his disciples he has to offer people the cure (the gospel) and not just treatment (healing the sick and demon-possessed). He could have lived on earth to this present day healing people, but he came so that the Word of Life which he planted in his followers may take root, so that when he left we could receive the Holy Spirit, and know the power we have in Him as sons and daughters of God.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus asserts his authority which is given to him by his father in heaven. He says to his disciples, “As the father sends me, so I send you.” Whenever we say “In the name of the Father …” and make the Sign of the Cross, we are also invoking that authority. It’s no small matter, and that’s why using the Lord’s name in vain is a sin. The power that comes with God’s name is not to be used lightly. Even when we are simply praying grace before meals, it’s important to truly center ourselves and bring to mind the power of the one we are thanking. Christ said to his apostles, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). Do we acknowledge the power of such authority when we call upon his name and spread the gospel ourselves?
Have we met Jesus? Do we have a personal relationship with him? Most of us have been asked these questions by evangelical Christians. The inquiry may often fall on deaf ears or be met with rolling eyes, but perhaps every now and then we should ask ourselves the question, even if we believe we already have met him. Jesus may be in our lives, trying to reach us, in ways we don’t recognize. He may be that subtle truth we keep pushing to the back of our minds but won’t leave us alone. He may be a simple word we keep stumbling across when we read Scripture and in our daily lives. That’s why we do lectio divina, to quiet our hearts and listen to where Christ may be reaching out to us in ways we may not recognize.
