December 24th – Matthew 10:1-15

December 24th – Matthew 10:1-15

Spend some time meditating on the gifts of Jesus. Then, come back and read the commentary, my verse, and my response to God.

• Request God’s help.
• Read Matthew 10:1-15
• Record a verse that stands out to you.
• Respond to God.

Happy Christmas Eve! If you are not wrapping last-minute gifts and have time, read the commentary now.

Like the King He is, Jesus summoned the twelve disciples and granted them the power to heal. Interestingly, the disciples, now Apostles, are all named in order, starting with Peter and ending with Judas. Also, many have clarifying statements following their names. For example, Matthew, “the tax collector,” Simon, “the zealot,” and Judas Iscariot, “the one who betrayed Him.” By this, you can appreciate Jesus’ sense of humor/irony and His broad perspective that transcends human ability. For instance, in any other setting, a tax collector and a zealot would be enemies; however, they are brothers in the Kingdom of God. Then there is Judas. He was also given power to heal and cast out demons. Why? The only answer is God’s grace.

Then, Jesus told them to start sharing the Good News and heal the sick in Jewish communities only. This may sound harsh or exclusive, but Jesus knew the Gentiles would eventually be reached because He planned to scatter the Saints and send Paul to the world. But this fulfillment of prophecy was for His chosen people, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He gave the Apostles the same power given to the prophets of old and demonstrated the authority given to them by God. These Apostles were sent out to tell the Jews that the Kingdom of Heaven they were waiting for had arrived. The prophesied Messiah had come.

Surprisingly, Jesus also instructed them to rely on these strangers for their survival because “the worker is worthy of his support.” They were to give liberally from what they were freely given and should expect to be provided for by the people who shared the Gospel’s blessing. This is interesting and challenging for me to study. Today, most organizations only send missionaries out AFTER they are provided for. From this passage, Jesus wants to be the provider for all who answer His call in any vocation, and the people who take care of the worker are the people who are being blessed by the work. It makes one think, doesn’t it?

What does it look like today to freely receive and freely give?

My Verse: Matthew 10:13: “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

My Response: This verse hints at Matthew 7:6, where Jesus warns, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Only Matthew 10:13 refers to the blessing or greeting one gives as one arrives as a messenger of God. The Apostles were to welcome those who took them in with joy, but if their hosts rejected the Word of God, they were to depart and take their blessing/greeting with them. This is what God calls us to do as well. We must offer the gift, but if it is rejected, we can move on, knowing that His Word does not return void. This blesses me and relieves the pressure to perform. My job is to obey God with a loving heart. His job is to save the lost.

Father, thank you for not stopping with the Jews and sending forth Your Word to the ends of the earth. Thank you for saving me and anointing those who shared the Gospel. May blessing always be upon anyone You touch by our physical presence because Jesus is in us, too.