Matthew 10:1

“He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

Matthew is astounded by what is happening to him. A few days before he was sitting at his tax-collecting table, receiving from his fellow Jews money that they could ill afford to give – for the use of the Roman rule that was over them.  He was despised, could relate only to those Jews who were outcasts among their own people, the so called “sinners.”  That was then, but not now. He was called by Jesus to be a disciple.  What a difference that made in the life of Matthew! He is Jesus’ friend!  This Jesus sent out his disciples, including Matthew, with an awesome authority – power to heal and to set men and women free from the yoke of satanic bondage. To be sure, when we feel the call of God we realize that we are no longer in control of our lives but are carried along by a divine, loving power that catches us up into the mind and purposes of God himself.