Matthew 10:40-42 - What is a "Prophet's Reward?"

Daily Devo w/ Pastor Eric October 12, 2021

What is the Prophet’s Reward?

 

Matthew 10:40-42, NIV - Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

 

                There’s a lot to unpack in these three verses, so let’s dive right in.  First, remember that this passage is part of Jesus’s instruction to the twelve as He sends them out on their first mission. Jesus has just told them pretty forcefully that they will encounter stiff resistance as they seek to represent Him to others.  But He ends these instructions with a positive; there will be people who will welcome them and welcome the message of Jesus.  And Jesus is trying to communicate what a beautiful thing that is.  He explains that welcoming the apostles is the same as welcoming Jesus and welcoming Jesus is welcoming God.  People who receive the messenger and the message receive God into their lives and that will become the greatest source of greatest blessing.  

                Jesus teaches that “whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.”   It begs the question, “what is a prophet’s reward?”  The short answer is that it’s hard to pin down exactly what the prophet’s reward is.  Jesus doesn’t expound here or anywhere else that we know of.  However, there are some important things to notice about what Jesus does say.  Some scholars believe Jesus is alluding here to a story in 2 Kings 4 where the prophet Elisha encounters a Shunammite woman who shows him great hospitality.  The woman is childless and her hospitality to the prophet is rewarded with a her giving birth to a son.  The son dies suddenly at a young age, but is brought back to life by Elisha after the boy’s mother goes to get the prophet.  Two amazing miracles are experienced by this Shunammite because of her hospitality to God’s messenger.        

                Does this mean that whoever exhibits such hospitality will personally experience miracles.  From my experience, the answer is “not always.”  However, what I can say from experience is that, to the extent that you are open and welcoming of God into your life, you will be able to see God so miraculous things.  Every prophet in the Old Testament had a front row seat to see God’s activity – serving people on behalf of God puts one in proximity to God serving people through the one who serves.  In my two-plus decades of serving God’s people, I have seen dozens of miraculous things happen that I can only describe as God’s activity.  It is truly humbling when it happens and the blessing that I have experienced for just being present and open when it happens defies words. Being open to God and God’s message is a way of opening yourself to the wonders that God does among us. 

                I encourage you to notice one other thing about Jesus’s words about the “reward.”  The prophet, the one who receives the prophet, the righteous person, the one who receives the righteous person, the disciple (“these little ones”), and the one who so much as gives that disciple a cup of cold water ALL receive a blessing/reward for their openness.  I don’t think it’s as necessary to pin down exactly what that blessing/reward is as it is to recognize Who is offering it.  Whether you are a prophet, a righteous person, disciple, or just someone who is hospitable to a disciple, you will be rewarded/blessed for your openness to God and God’s message. 

 

Question:  Miraculous things happen all around us all the time.  Are we open enough to God’s message and activity to see them?

 

Prayer:  Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me.  Open my ears that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear. Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere.  Open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share. Amen. (prayer from the lyrics to “Open My Eyes That I May See)

 

 

Prayer Focus:  Spend some time reflecting on and thanking God for the miraculous things you have been  blessed to experience over your lifetime.

 

Song:  Open My Eyes – Jesse Manibusan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI3tQLnD8yM  

Daily Devo w/ Pastor Eric October 12, 2021

What is the Prophet’s Reward?

 

Matthew 10:40-42, NIV - Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

 

                There’s a lot to unpack in these three verses, so let’s dive right in.  First, remember that this passage is part of Jesus’s instruction to the twelve as He sends them out on their first mission. Jesus has just told them pretty forcefully that they will encounter stiff resistance as they seek to represent Him to others.  But He ends these instructions with a positive; there will be people who will welcome them and welcome the message of Jesus.  And Jesus is trying to communicate what a beautiful thing that is.  He explains that welcoming the apostles is the same as welcoming Jesus and welcoming Jesus is welcoming God.  People who receive the messenger and the message receive God into their lives and that will become the greatest source of greatest blessing.  

                Jesus teaches that “whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.”   It begs the question, “what is a prophet’s reward?”  The short answer is that it’s hard to pin down exactly what the prophet’s reward is.  Jesus doesn’t expound here or anywhere else that we know of.  However, there are some important things to notice about what Jesus does say.  Some scholars believe Jesus is alluding here to a story in 2 Kings 4 where the prophet Elisha encounters a Shunammite woman who shows him great hospitality.  The woman is childless and her hospitality to the prophet is rewarded with a her giving birth to a son.  The son dies suddenly at a young age, but is brought back to life by Elisha after the boy’s mother goes to get the prophet.  Two amazing miracles are experienced by this Shunammite because of her hospitality to God’s messenger.        

                Does this mean that whoever exhibits such hospitality will personally experience miracles.  From my experience, the answer is “not always.”  However, what I can say from experience is that, to the extent that you are open and welcoming of God into your life, you will be able to see God so miraculous things.  Every prophet in the Old Testament had a front row seat to see God’s activity – serving people on behalf of God puts one in proximity to God serving people through the one who serves.  In my two-plus decades of serving God’s people, I have seen dozens of miraculous things happen that I can only describe as God’s activity.  It is truly humbling when it happens and the blessing that I have experienced for just being present and open when it happens defies words. Being open to God and God’s message is a way of opening yourself to the wonders that God does among us. 

                I encourage you to notice one other thing about Jesus’s words about the “reward.”  The prophet, the one who receives the prophet, the righteous person, the one who receives the righteous person, the disciple (“these little ones”), and the one who so much as gives that disciple a cup of cold water ALL receive a blessing/reward for their openness.  I don’t think it’s as necessary to pin down exactly what that blessing/reward is as it is to recognize Who is offering it.  Whether you are a prophet, a righteous person, disciple, or just someone who is hospitable to a disciple, you will be rewarded/blessed for your openness to God and God’s message. 

 

Question:  Miraculous things happen all around us all the time.  Are we open enough to God’s message and activity to see them?

 

Prayer:  Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me.  Open my ears that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear. Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere.  Open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share. Amen. (prayer from the lyrics to “Open My Eyes That I May See)

 

 

Prayer Focus:  Spend some time reflecting on and thanking God for the miraculous things you have been  blessed to experience over your lifetime.

 

Song:  Open My Eyes – Jesse Manibusan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI3tQLnD8yM  

Matthew 10:34-39 - Jesus, A Sword of Divsion?

 

October 11, 2021 - Jesus, a Sword of Division?

 

Matthew 10:34-39  “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,

    a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

 

“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  This is one of the sayings of Jesus that many Christians would like to ignore.  Other Christians over the past two millennia have used to justify violence.  Neither of these approaches is helpful.  When Jesus says something, we should not ignore it and it is clear from the trajectory of all Jesus’s teachings that he is not one to incite violence.  So what exactly is Jesus saying here? 

As is almost always the case, we have to look at the larger context of what Jesus was saying.  Following His statement that he brings a “sword,” he talks about family divisions.  And my guess is that many of us know all too well how this works.  Many families have experienced division because of religious faith.  I had a friend my freshman year of college who was disowned by his Jewish family because he made the decision to become a Christian.  I know Christian families that have been divided by what the correct Christian position on a particular issue should be.  I also know many families who know that when they get together, discussions about religion (and politics) are off-limits. 

Jesus saw all of this coming.  He was warning his disciples (and us) that when we decide to follow Jesus, some of those closest to us will not understand and may not share our faith.  The “sword” here is not meant convey violence, but division.  Following Jesus has some unintended consequences and Jesus wants us to be sober about that reality.  Though He does not address it in this passage, his teaching elsewhere should guide us to continue to love and strive for peace with those loved ones who do not understand.  But in doing so, we are to never put our loved ones ahead of Jesus.

That for me is the hardest part of this passage.  Jesus warns that following Him will put us at odds with those we love to the point that we will be tempted to abandon our faith in order to make peace.  The hard teaching here is to never do that.  Always keep Jesus first.  Keep loving who you love, but love God more.  If you are forced to choose, choose God.  There’s no way to soften this.  It’s really hard.

However, there is some logic to this teaching if we think about it.  My faith and love for God have actually strengthened my ability to love others.  One reason for this is that God’s love is steadfast and completely reliable.  It never fails.  As I learn to trust that, I can love others better because I never have to doubt that I am loved.  God’s love frees me to love others without fear of being rejected because I will always enjoy the perfectly faithful love of God.  If I abandon my faith in God in order to make peace with my family, I have given up my one completely reliable source of love.  This is because, while my family does love me, they are human.  This means that their love for me will falter sometimes.  They will let me down as I also will let them down because I am human.  It’s only a matter of time before that happens.  It makes more sense to have held onto the perfectly reliable love of God when my other loves fail me.  In fact, God’s love for me will actually empower me to keep loving them when their love fails. 

Remembering the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40), we have to remember that there was a specific order given.  When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, he said “love God.”  He then said that the second one was to love people.  Love God and then, love people.  We could even say, love God so that we can love people more.

 

Question:  How has your faith enabled you to love others better?

 

Prayer:  God, thank you for loving me completely and faithfully my whole life.  Help me to always stay true to your love so that I can love others better. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Spend some time asking God to help you connect more deeply to God’s love for you.

 

Song:  Dear Ex-Best Friend – Tate McRae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2AHoCdChbk

Matthew 10:17-33 - Living Out Loud

Daily Devo w/ Pastor Eric October 8, 2021

Living Out Loud

 

Matthew 10:17-33, NIV -  Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.  On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

 

                Yesterday’s message about sheep and wolves began a section of Jesus’s teaching that is difficult to hear because he warns his disciples that following Him will have unpleasant and sometimes even tragic consequences.  It was especially true for his first twelve disciples – all but maybe a couple met untimely deaths because of their proclamation of Jesus.  What Jesus told them would happen did happen, they were arrested and called before rulers.  They were jailed, exiled, and beaten.  It is a testimony to how convinced they were that Jesus was the Messiah and to give their life and safety to His cause was the greatest honor of their life.   

                For us in America in the 21^st century, we marvel at the sacrifice of these disciples who preceded us by two thousand years and for the most part, we see the danger of that hey faced down as ancient history.  But it’s important for us to remember that it is STILL very dangerous to be a Christian in many places in the world today.  Christians in North Korea can be executed for possessing even a torn-out page of the Bible.  Every month, an average of 312 Christians are killed, 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed, and 772 forms of violence (beatings, kidnappings, rape, arrest, etc.) are committed against Christians.  Though our country is not immune to Christian persecution, it is much more the exception than the rule.  But our safety should not make us blind that others still face the dangers about which Jesus warned. 

                What is particularly striking to me about so many of the stories of modern-day Christian martyrdoms is how bold these martyrs are in standing up for their faith in the face of such obvious danger.  They refuse to deny their faith even when doing so would save their lives.  They tell people about their faith who could readily (and often do) turn them into authorities.  New believers are “declared dead” by their families because of their decision to follow Jesus and yet, these brave new Christians cling to faith nonetheless.  I’d like to believe that I’d be as courageous and steadfast as these modern-day martyrs, but I’m not sure I would be given the same circumstances.  I’m certain I’m not alone in that.

                Today, as we feel the discomfort of Jesus’s warnings and remind ourselves that these warnings are still relevant in most of the 21^st century world,  I encourage us to think about steps we can take exhibit a more courageous faith.  Let’s be brave enough to question some of the actions we’ve not taken out of fear of being unpopular or losing some Facebook friends.  Jesus has called us to live out “unsafe” faith with the promise that He is with us and has our back.  Let’s answer that call.

 

Question:  Does the way that you live out your faith ever put you at odds with others?

 

Prayer:  Jesus, help us know deep in our heart how precious each day of our life here is and help us to use these days to live out bold faith.  Help us confront our fears with the assurance our lives are ultimately “hidden away with you.”  Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for people worldwide who are facing violence and even death because they follow Jesus.

 

Song:  Live Out Loud - Steven Curtis Chapman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWpsilHe7U

Matthew 10:16 - It's Not Easy Being Sheep

It’s Not Easy Being Sheep

 

Matthew 10:16, NIV -  “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Mattthew 10:16, The Message - “Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.

 

The summer after my first year of college, I got a job on the landscaping crew at a local country club golf course.  All during high school, I had my own landscaping business, so this job was really my first experience of being on a crew whom I didn’t know beforehand.  It was a eye-opening experience.  The guys on this crew were a rough bunch.  There was rarely a day when there wasn’t some sort of altercation between my co-workers.  One day, one of them even took a swing at our boss.  I knew from talking with my crewmates that most of them went drinking most nights and the stories they’d have the next day were usually quite colorful.  I’ll leave it at that.  I didn’t think I had led a sheltered life until that summer. 

Those guys found out that I was a “church boy” (their term) and that led to some serious ridicule.  It was really my first time feeling like a sheep among wolves.  I knew the poking was aimed at getting a rise out of me and hopefully provoking a fight.  Wanting to avoid that, I would mostly just take their jabs and try to change the subject.  Over time though, their behavior started to change towards me.  Instead of barbs, they would look for an opportunity to ask me questions when others were not around.  They would ask me about my church or about what I thought about certain issues.  In the two months I was there I felt like they had begun to see me as one of the crew.  And I like to think I planted some seeds. 

But all of that could have gone another way.  There was one time when their ridicule had almost had me ready to fight. Truth be told, there probably would have been a fight had the boss not shown up.  I also felt quite tempted to begin to talk the way they did and to come up with some colorful stories of my own.  When you’re among wolves, the temptation is to act like a wolf.  I will confess that during high school, I had indeed made that choice several times.  But when I think of those times now, I shudder.  Why?  Because I know that I am one of the sheep. 

It can be hard to be a sheep, especially when you’re among wolves.  It requires you to be on your toes and think carefully about every move.  Wolves are generally really easily provoked, especially on social media.  But if you are a follower of the Great Shepherd Jesus, then by definition, you also are a sheep.  Furthermore, we are sheep sent to be among wolves in the hopes that those wolves will one day become sheep. 

 

Question:  What “wolves” do you find yourself among these days?  Take a moment to name them for yourself.  Then pray for them.  Then pray for yourself that you will not adopt wolflike ways.  Be a sheep but be smart about it.

 

Prayer:  God, show us the wolves you’ve sent us to be among and give us your love for them so that we might be part of their sheep transformation.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for the “wolves” in your life.  If you don’t have any wolves, pray for God to send you out among them.

 

Songs:  I Just Want to Be a Sheep – Another song that will stay in your head all day. . .you’re welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8GLj2Z7M6o

Matthew 10:9-15 - What Do Disciples Really Need?

 

What Do Disciples Really Need?

 

Matthew 10:9-15, The Message - “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.

“When you enter a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.

“When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry—but it’s no concern of yours now.

 

In today’s passage, Jesus continues in his instructions to the twelve disciples as He sends them on their first mission without Him.  In yesterday’s reflection, we talked about the target audience (lost sheep of Israel), the message (the Kingdom of Heaven is here), and their strategy (miraculous works).  In the passage for today, Jesus covers resources and an even sharper focus on how to spend their time and energy.  Let’s talk about resources first. 

Too many churches and too many Christians feel like they don’t have the resources to be faithful.  They see thriving ministries and/or impactful Christians making a difference with seemingly endless resources and they get discouraged about the meager resources they have.  Many even resign themselves to not engaging because of a feeling that it won’t make a difference. Hearing Christ’s instructions to his first disciples should cure us if this is the case with us.  Basically, Jesus says to them, “just you are enough” to be faithful and effective servants.”  It’s almost as if Jesus knows that having resources might even get in the way.  If you hear nothing else today, hear this; you are enough for service to God.  That thing or skill or resource you think you need to take the next step…you don’t need it.  You are enough.

Now about the focus.  On this, Jesus is just practical.  Spend your time and energy on folks who are receptive to your work.  Be gracious to all but when that grace is refused, quietly move on.  It can be tempting to try and convince unreceptive folk of your good intentions, but Jesus simply guides us to use the same energy on folks who seem to be ready for grace.  There are more of them than those “tough nuts to crack.”  I guessing we all need to heed this guidance sometimes.

 

Questions:  Have you disqualified yourself or delayed a decision to serve in some way because you are waiting for something to happen?  Think about the people you are attempting to serve these days. Do they seem receptive to your efforts?

 

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for the way in which you have gifted and equipped me to serve you and others.  Help me rely on You and You alone for all that I need to be faithful. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for God to show you a new opportunity today.

 

Song:  One of my favorite hymns from one of my favorite people.  My brother-in-law  Terry is in a group called Pinder and Snow.  Enjoy!

Be Thou My Vision – Pinder and Snow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST_m5DMTNo4&list=PLdssianaWLlcBvaQXe5NHVzq8JgS7DFcT&index=12

Matthew 10:5-8 - Demonstrating the Kingdom

Demonstrating the Kingdom

 

Matthew 10:5-8, NIV - These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.  Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

 

                Pretty much the whole of Chapter 10 is about Jesus sending out his first disciples.  So my first encouragement is to read the whole chapter at once to get a sense of the whole encounter.  We will spend a few days working our way through it, but it’s helpful to have the whole in mind as we walk through the particulars. 

                The first detail in today’s passage that is important is the people to whom he is sending the twelve.  This is a specific mission to the Jews, not the gentiles or Samaritans.  This seems exclusive of others and begs the question, “why would Jesus restrict the mission to only “the lost sheep of Israel?” It makes more sense when we remember the purpose of Israel in the first place.  In Genesis 12, God tells Abraham that he will become a nation and that nation will be a blessing to all the nations of the world.  God chose Israel for the purpose of carrying out His plan for the whole world.  The Jews had largely forgotten that purpose and had isolated themselves from other peoples.  Jesus’s first priority was to remind the Jews of their purpose for being chosen. 

                This leads to the primary message Jesus gives the disciples to proclaim. “The Kingdom of Heaven has come near,” is that message.  This message is connected to the primary purpose of the nation of Israel.  Jesus is essentially saying, “what God told Abraham would happen is happening right now!”  He is inviting them to return to their purpose of being a blessing to all the nations.  The mission to the Samarians and the gentiles will come, but as we covered a couple of days ago, workers are needed for this massive harvest and those workers will come from the “lost sheep of Israel” recovering their purpose. 

                Another bedrock detail in this passage is the strategy of the mission.  Having been given the target of the mission (the lost sheep of Israel) and the message (the Kingdom of Heaven has come near), they are now given the method.  It is no surprise that the method is precisely what Jesus has been doing since His ministry started (healing, casting out demons, and raising the dead). Annouce that the kingdom of heaven has arrived, but also demonstrate the divine authority behind that announcement by performing the same Jesus has performed.  The disciples are disciples because they have seen the signs of the kingdom; now they are to do the same for others. 

                   I don’t know about you, but I’ve never performed these kinds of miracles/signs.  Most of us haven’t.  Some commentators have used this fact to support the notion that these first instructions are not for us, and they have a point.  If healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons are the marks of a successful disciple, then most of us are utter failures.  But to come to that conclusion is to, as they say, “throw the baby out with the bath water.”  The mission is still the blessing of all the nations of the world.  Jesus makes that clear at the end of this same book of Matthew (28:19-20).  The message is still same; the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived.”  The methodology, however, changes constantly.  The first Apostles performed miracles.  For reasons I don’t pretend to fully understand, precious few are given those same methods.   For most of us, we demonstrate our announcement of the Kingdom in other ways – loving the unlovable, caring for the forgotten, and freeing the tormented.  For a world short on authentic love, care, and freedom, these methods are no less miraculous. 

 

Question:  How do demonstrate the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven with the way you live?

 

Prayer:  Lord, too often we disqualify ourselves from your mission for the world for illegitimate reasons.  Help us see the ways that we can demonstrate the arrival of Your Kingdom with the gifts that you have given us.  Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for God to bless strangers you see today. 

 

Song:  Take My Life and Let It Be – Brian Doerksen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ93HVuYd5Y

Matthew 10:1-4 - The Opportunity of Your Lifetime

 

Daily Devo w/ Pastor Eric October 4, 2021

The Opportunity of Your Lifetime

 

Matthew 10:1-4, CEB - He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness.  Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother;  Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus;  Simon the Cananaean; and Judas, who betrayed Jesus.

 

At the end of chapter 9, we hear Jesus asking his audience to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send workers.  Immediately, we see here in the beginning of chapter 10, those prayers are answered as Jesus calls his twelve disciples.  Twelve is a significant number as there were twelve tribes of Israel that stemmed from the twelve sons of Jacob.  In the Book of Revelation, we see that the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem are inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles. Also in Revelation, there are twelve gates, twelve pearls, and twelve angels.  Throughout the Bible, the number twelve is regarded as a divinely perfect number.  So Jesus calls twelve disciples.

                But what Jesus does next is even more significant.  He gives them the same authority He possesses.  The authority that we have seen in Matthew’s gospel thus far is now conferred upon his disciples.  Thus, the movement of God’s kingdom is now multiplied twelve-fold.  Matthew intends for us to see that this is how the kingdom works – through multiplication.  We don’t just invite others to be believers in Jesus – we invite them to be disciples – fully investing their lives in the mission of the Kingdom of God. 

                The fact that you’re reading this means that you at least believe that the story of Jesus is one worth investigating.  You should know, though, that the invitation is not just to investigate it or even believe that it is true, but to become part of the effort to bring the Kingdom of God to fruition here on earth.  There is no bigger cause in the universe, and you and I are asked to serve.  Spend some time thinking about that today.

 

Question:  What does it mean to you to be invited to serve the Kingdom of the One God of the Universe?

 

Prayer:  Lord, help us see your invitation for what it is.  Help us see the unique role you have asked each of us to play in your Kingdom. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for a clear sense of purpose about what you can do to love God and love people.

 

Song:  Lead On King Eternal – Sara Groves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7wd2_shSNw