Section three of The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is entitled ”The Messengers.” He writes, ”The Father has revealed His will to the Son. Jesus calls His twelve disciples and sends them into the harvest. He makes them His apostles, His messengers and fellow-workers. ‘And gave them power,’ for the power is all important. It is not a word or a doctrine they receive, but effective power, without which the work could not be done. They need a power stronger than that of the prince of this world, the devil. The disciples know the devil’s power well enough, although it is his cleverest trick to deny his power and to pretend that he does not exist. It is just this supreme cunning of his that must be countered: he must be brought to light and overcome through the power of Christ. In this work, the apostles stand by the side of Christ Himself and help Him to do His work.
