Go and Give

N.T.#108 "Go and Give"

July 11, 2023

Matthew 10

LET IT GLOW

Jesus was giving instructions, bot positive and negative, to His apostles as He sent them out to share Jesus. Swindoll's Living Insights on Matthew explains it this way:

• First, Jesus told the disciples/apostles where to go and not to go. (verses 5-6) They were to go only to the Jews, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans. This first missionary work was focused on the eople they knew best-their own kinsmen according to the flesh. They knew their language, religion, and culture. 
• Jesus told them what to say. (verse 7) The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Perhaps the guys included a call to repentance of sins, believing in Jesus as the Messiah, and water baptism. (John 3:22)
• Third, Jesus equipped them to minister to those in great need. (verse 8) by Jesus' authority, He gave them power to do the kinds of miracles that He had been doing up to that point. the apostles were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons free of charge. Those signs and wonders would be proof that their message was true-the kingdom of the Messiah was imminent!
• Next, Jesus instructed them to travel lightly, depending on God's provision for their journey. (verse 9-10) They did not spend days or weeks planning a strategy, nor fund-raising for the mission. Neither money nor extra supplies were to weigh the men down. They were trusting God to meet their needs along the way.

Do we know the result of their mission trip? I tend to think if it were told here, then the Bible would have been twice as long. Don't you want to think that some of the Jews believed their message?

We don't know the extent the influence of our witness results in, do we? Sometimes folks may respond positively to the Gospel, yet some may be delayed. 

Such was my case. I had heard the Good News of Jesus' salvation, but I did not respond right away when the Holy Spirit convicted me of sin. I was at a Vacation Bible School with my friends. Later, after the death of a classmate and friend, I did.

LET IT GROW

The original disciples had unique apostolic authority. The same power was given to 70 others in Luke 10:1-20. So of the principles can apply to our own callings and ministries today. However, not everything Jesus said to His disciples applies to us. 

Jesus gave a temporary itinerary ministry specifically and exclusively to Jews, not to Gentiles or Samaritans. (verses 5-6) The disciples with out with nothing. After Jesus' death and resurrection, His mission charge was for us-You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

If you have never been on a mission trip, don't pass up the opportunity to do so. I have and it is such a blessing to share the Gospel with others.

LET IT GO

Lord Jesus, thank You for the mercy You give to us daily.

Use us in Your kingdom work.