Matthew 10-11.30.21

Scripture:

Matthew 10:1-8 

1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, [a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 

Observation:

Throughout the book of Matthew, Jesus has been healing and meeting needs. In chapter 10 he calls his disciples to him (come to me, draw close to me, commune with me, hear my heart) and gives them the authority to perform the very same miracles. He gives them their assignment: 1. Go and proclaim the kingdom; and 2. Heal/meet needs. 

Understanding:

These verses are confirmation of something God has been speaking to me lately. If I say I love Jesus, and he loves people, I need to love and help people. Freely I have received and freely I need to give. 

“Both Jesus' proclamation and practical acts of compassion go beyond what many Christians call 

ministry today. Our communities are ravaged by demonic forces, violence, injustice and all kinds of 

human pain, while the church often remains irrelevant except to the few who venture through our 

doors. To follow Jesus' model of ministry, more Christians must stop simply going to church and learn 

rather to become the church among our communities in evangelism and ministry to social needs.” (IVP 

New Testament Commentary Series) 

For those of us who don’t feel qualified (me!), did you notice that Jesus’ disciples were ordinary men with no special training? They were fishermen, farmers, a tax collector, and a zealot. But Jesus said draw close to me and I will empower you. 

Life Application: 

I might not feel ready yet to go out and pray for healing for strangers, but I can get started with baby steps toward getting involved with my community and those in need – I can volunteer at the food pantry or donate to the homeless shelter or a myriad of other opportunities. And as I walk in obedience, I believe He will provide opportunities to share the good news. 

Freely I have received – spiritually and physically, and FREELY I NEED TO GIVE. 

-Debbie Dunn