Another quick observation on power from Luke’s narrative. Right after the four striking events of Luke 8, we read this:

Jesus summoned together his twelve apostles and imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease. Then he commissioned them to preach God’s kingdom realm and to heal the sick to demonstrate that the kingdom had arrived…The apostles departed and went into the villages with the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and they instantly healed diseases wherever they went. (Luke 9.1 – 6, Passion Translation)

Very matter of fact: Jesus commissioned them to preach and to heal the sick. So the apostles preached and “they instantly healed diseases wherever they went.”

Wow. Jesus’ power is transferable. That’s what Peter believed and practiced:

Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God…While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” (Acts 3.6 – 8, 11, 12)