Matthew 10:1-23

Matthew 10:1-23 (The Message)

  ^1-4 The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick outthe evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent: 

   Simon (they called him Peter, or "Rock"), 
   Andrew, his brother, 
   James, Zebedee's son, 
   John, his brother, 
   Philip, 
   Bartholomew, 
   Thomas, 
   Matthew, the tax man, 
   James, son of Alphaeus, 
   Thaddaeus, 
   Simon, the Canaanite, 
   Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him).

 ^5-8Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

   "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.

 ^9-10"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.

 ¹¹"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.

 ^12-15"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.

 ¹⁶"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.

 ^17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.

 ^21-23"When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

Devotional (by Isaac Pellerin)

Jesus' words could not be more appropriate to the best way to relate to people. From the start he tells his disciples not to dramatically tackle some public enemy. I have to admit that I am at times ashamed of what is done in the name of Christianity. Jesus doesn't tell us to to make sure people know they are going to hell, rather he tells us to reach out to the lost and confused.

Do you ever feel this sense that others just don't understand where you are coming from when you tell them you are a Christ follower? I love how Jesus tells us not to worry when that happens even though we are carrying a message of love and sometimes feel like it is not warmly received. He lets us know that in all things he has given us the Holy Spirit which, in sometimes enexplainable ways, will guide and direct what we say and do.

How encouraging is that? Knowing that we have the gift that the same Spirit that allowed Jesus to live his life is available to us. The more aware of that we become,the more we'll be able to confidently look at what comes our way each day knowing that we can make it through.

Prayer:
God, thank you for letting me know that you are with me no matter how I feel others are looking at me. Help me to stay focused on You because of thegreat love you have for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.