Seeds for 08/01/2023 - Matthew 10:5-8
Scripture: 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Observation: This chapter of instructions to the twelve begins with a sense of who/where, what, and why. Let’s consider each.
Who/Where: The first assignment for the twelve disciples is a mission to the “lost sheep of Israel” and specifically not yet to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. This seems strange on the one hand. After all, Jesus is sent as the Messiah not only for the Jewish people but for all people. Matthew himself makes that clear in a variety of ways throughout his Gospel, including from the very beginning with the emphasis on non-Hebrew women being included in the genealogical history of Jesus in chapter 1 and the response of the Magi from the east in chapter 2. Why then is Jesus so specific? Well, these instructions align with the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel to the woman at the well, “salvation is from the Jews,” and with the words of Paul in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Jesus’ charge to the twelve in this instance pursues that order of operations.
What: Jesus also instructs them regarding words and deeds. The words are exactly the same as what He has been announcing: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As we saw yesterday, the disciples are extending the ministry of Jesus, their Lord and teacher. Also in action, as evidence that God’s kingdom is near, the disciples are to exercise the authority He has given to them to make people alive, whole, and well, as Jesus Himself has been doing, particularly since the Sermon on the Mount.
Why: And what is their motivation to do this ministry? Of course, trusting obedience. Also, belief in the mission, in the work. But Jesus gives them another motivation: “Freely you have received; freely give.” Do for others what Jesus has done for you. As for a motivation, it’s completely in line with God’s M.O. We are blessed to be a blessing. We have been reconciled to God and made ambassadors of reconciliation. However you want to say it, God’s amazing grace is given not only to save our souls but to shape our hearts. So, said, lived, or sung, “freely you have received; freely give.”
Application:
How has God’s free grace in Jesus helped you get better at freely giving?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, your have freely given your grace to us. Give us hearts like yours, that we may freely share the Gospel in word and action. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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Hymn “freely, Freely” a favorite.
God forgave my sin in Jesus' name
I've been born again in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to
He said, "Freely, freely you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in my name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live"
All power is givin' in Jesus' name
In earth and Heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to
He said, "Freely, freely you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in my name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live"