April 23, 2012
Jesus calls his twelve disciples. It is interesting to look at the twelve He called. They were twelve ordinary common people who were willing to put aside all else and open up themselves to be used by an extra-ordinary man/God.
Well.... at least eleven of them were. He sent the twelve out to God's chosen people who were like lost sheep. God's chosen people who had HIS words; who throughout history had experienced God's hand on their lives; who disregarded the prophet's warnings and admonitions; now were called lost sheep. With all they had available to them, they missed the birth of their Savior in a neighboring town. They had so much. A great heritage, great opportunities, great ability, but they were lost sheep. So, Jesus sends his twelve chosen followers to go to them and tell them "the kingdom of heaven is near." Everything your forefathers were looking forward to is here. The Savior has come.
Jesus tells his twelve disciples to put action with their words. Heal the sick; raise the dead; cure diseases; force evil out. Jesus said, "I give you these powers freely, so help others freely. (Matthew 10:8) Jesus told them, GO and DO. Don't try to provide for your needs. Don't spend time and money "getting." No, I want you to GO and GIVE. Stay where you are accepted and welcome. If you are not welcomed, and if people won't listen to you then, "leave that place and shake its dust off your feet. I tell you the truth, on the Judgment Day it will be better for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah than for the people of that town." (Matthew 10:14-15) Why? Because they were God's chosen people. They had/have no excuse. They had His words. They had the benefit and knowledge of what God had done in the past. They should have known.
But they refused to listen or care.
Next Entry: Matthew 10:1 – 11:19 (Continued)
Jesus calls his twelve disciples. It is interesting to look at the twelve He called. They were twelve ordinary common people who were willing to put aside all else and open up themselves to be used by an extra-ordinary man/God.
Well.... at least eleven of them were. He sent the twelve out to God's chosen people who were like lost sheep. God's chosen people who had HIS words; who throughout history had experienced God's hand on their lives; who disregarded the prophet's warnings and admonitions; now were called lost sheep. With all they had available to them, they missed the birth of their Savior in a neighboring town. They had so much. A great heritage, great opportunities, great ability, but they were lost sheep. So, Jesus sends his twelve chosen followers to go to them and tell them "the kingdom of heaven is near." Everything your forefathers were looking forward to is here. The Savior has come.
Jesus tells his twelve disciples to put action with their words. Heal the sick; raise the dead; cure diseases; force evil out. Jesus said, "I give you these powers freely, so help others freely. (Matthew 10:8) Jesus told them, GO and DO. Don't try to provide for your needs. Don't spend time and money "getting." No, I want you to GO and GIVE. Stay where you are accepted and welcome. If you are not welcomed, and if people won't listen to you then, "leave that place and shake its dust off your feet. I tell you the truth, on the Judgment Day it will be better for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah than for the people of that town." (Matthew 10:14-15) Why? Because they were God's chosen people. They had/have no excuse. They had His words. They had the benefit and knowledge of what God had done in the past. They should have known.
But they refused to listen or care.
Next Entry: Matthew 10:1 – 11:19 (Continued)
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