October 10 - Matthew 10-12
Two themes spoke to me this morning as I read this passage. The emphasis is on going out to preach and to teach about God's kingdom, and then, the result will be a division between those who trust the Lord and those who don't. I believe both of these themes are so relevant for all of us today.
In chapter 10 Jesus sends His disciples out to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (10:5,6) He spends the rest of the chapter giving them instructions for their ministry. He tells them to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" as they go to homes and villages that will receive them. He prepares them for opposition, too. However, it is very important to confess Jesus before men, even in the face of persecution. (10:32,33) It is all a matter of totally following Christ, which is taking up our cross. (10:38) We are all His witnesses, and we are sent out as the first disciples. We must be faithful to go and tell what Jesus has done for us. He will lead us and give us the words to say.
In chapters 11 and 12 there is a description of Jesus' ministry of teaching and preaching. As He goes out and encounters people, there is a definite division caused by His ministry. He offends people with His words and actions. (10:6) Some people are looking for one thing in Jesus and some are looking for another. He does not cater to them, so they don't like what He says. (10:17-19) Jesus, Himself, keeps preaching and teaching in the face of opposition. They even accuse Jesus of being from the devil. (12:24) What an insult! Jesus does not let up on speaking the truth. It seems to me that He focuses on those who are following Him, so He can build them up, because he knows that He can't please everyone. This is true even when His mother and brothers come to see Him at the end of this passage. This opposition to Jesus helps us see what is going on in the world. There is a cosmic struggle between Jesus and Satan. Jesus has won the war on the Cross, and we are to go and tell people they can experience victory through Jesus. However, Satan is still fighting to cause men to doubt God and to reject His Way. Many people listen to Satan instead of the truth. There is much talk about unifying our country and our world, but it will not ever happen, because the division is caused by Jesus. It is not really politics or the economy. People are divided as to whether or not they choose to follow Jesus. I pray you will not only follow Him, but that you will go and speak His good news to others, even if you face opposition.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 13-15.
In chapter 10 Jesus sends His disciples out to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (10:5,6) He spends the rest of the chapter giving them instructions for their ministry. He tells them to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" as they go to homes and villages that will receive them. He prepares them for opposition, too. However, it is very important to confess Jesus before men, even in the face of persecution. (10:32,33) It is all a matter of totally following Christ, which is taking up our cross. (10:38) We are all His witnesses, and we are sent out as the first disciples. We must be faithful to go and tell what Jesus has done for us. He will lead us and give us the words to say.
In chapters 11 and 12 there is a description of Jesus' ministry of teaching and preaching. As He goes out and encounters people, there is a definite division caused by His ministry. He offends people with His words and actions. (10:6) Some people are looking for one thing in Jesus and some are looking for another. He does not cater to them, so they don't like what He says. (10:17-19) Jesus, Himself, keeps preaching and teaching in the face of opposition. They even accuse Jesus of being from the devil. (12:24) What an insult! Jesus does not let up on speaking the truth. It seems to me that He focuses on those who are following Him, so He can build them up, because he knows that He can't please everyone. This is true even when His mother and brothers come to see Him at the end of this passage. This opposition to Jesus helps us see what is going on in the world. There is a cosmic struggle between Jesus and Satan. Jesus has won the war on the Cross, and we are to go and tell people they can experience victory through Jesus. However, Satan is still fighting to cause men to doubt God and to reject His Way. Many people listen to Satan instead of the truth. There is much talk about unifying our country and our world, but it will not ever happen, because the division is caused by Jesus. It is not really politics or the economy. People are divided as to whether or not they choose to follow Jesus. I pray you will not only follow Him, but that you will go and speak His good news to others, even if you face opposition.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 13-15.