1
Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases.
2
He commissioned them to preach the news of God's kingdom and heal the sick.
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He said, "Don't load yourselves up with equipment.
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Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns - get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
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If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."
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Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.
7
Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn't know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead,
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others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up.
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Herod said, "But I killed John - took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?" Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.