Matthew 10:5-15
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
St. Patrick, 5th Century A.D., returned to England after many years of cruel enslavement. And Patrick's reaction - return and toss out the snakes and bring Jesus Christ's Love. There wasn't really a manuel on this. No written advice. St. Patrick was winging it.
This Matthew 10 Passage is Jesus sending His 12 disciples out. Immediately. After making them His disciples. Later, Jesus would send out 72 disciples (who had motley faith in hard times.) Chapter 12 is when they are reunited. Jesus went on to preach and teach in other cities, evidently, without the disciples in Chapter 11.
Matthew's 10th Chapter goes on to say, as Jesus sends them out - trusting them - to be who they are and to preach the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit, He says:
John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
This is amazing to me.
Can you imagine Jesus sent these raw recruits on their way? To do ... God's work. Jesus trusts them to go to it.
~ 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.
The very next statement is Jesus repeating twice. The healing is a gift of God. Do not seek pay. Human nature is to find advantage in every situation. Jesus says be a gift. The grace of God is a gift. He doesn't say in this passage to travel to foreign lands and be a missionary. He says God expects us, as untrained theologians, if we believe in Him to do Kingdom work and not to look for the advantage for ourselves.
Okay. The word of God is for us. Today.
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Look around. This is the mission field.
Abba, Father God,
Here are my hands. Here I am. You will send opportunity, You will send Your Holy Spirit.
It is not all up to me. Whew. You. Send me as You would like.
You do not promise we will have miracles in all of our endeavors to bring forth Kingdom work.
You promise You are with us through it all. You help us to shake off the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and go forward, in hope of You.
In the name of Jesus Christ.
In the Grace upon Grace of Jesus, we rest our cares, we place our hopes.
We fervently put our loved ones with You. We trustingly place the Nation in Your care.
We are praying for Elliott to be healed from cancer and enjoy long life well past his early 40s into grandparenting with his beloved wife, Harby. And comfort for their 3 young children and parents.
We praise You for the prayers around the Good Creation - all asking more Heaven on earth. Your Good Will be Accomplished. For new school years and travel safety.
And with all heart, Thank You, Abba You are God and give tender mercies. And rain in August!!!
Amen, Lord Jesus!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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