The Sending - Matthew 9:35-10:20 - Third Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 9:35-10:20 NIV

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

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.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

The Sending

Jesus’ message and teaching for His day and today, is to all the people. He doesn’t limit His message, teaching, healing and grace just to certain individuals or groups of people.

This was prophesied in Isaiah…

Isaiah 9:1-2 NIV

9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

² The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

 

Jesus, would of course, teach, in the synagogues. This was a center for the Jewish people to learn and worship. But Jesus’ teaching reached beyond the Jewish nation as well. And Jesus would make it clear that God was here and now, to draw ALL people to Him in forgiveness and salvation. Yes, Jesus would make it clear that He was the Messiah and the Kingdom of God had come through Him into this world.

 

But, would we be able to hear this message?

As Jesus moved about the crowds, He saw the need. And not only did He see the need, He had love and compassion for the people. Jesus loves us and cares for us and comes to us to heal us in more than just body, but spirit as well. It’s amazing to me that He shows and gives a love that transcends the here and now, and gives us a forever, in His Kingdom with Him.

 

And as disciples of Jesus, we are also sent to emulate His compassion and love for one another. We are to hear and see Him in action, so that, we too will love one another, in action.

 

This is the way Jesus trains His disciples then and today. Love and compassion, backed up with action. Not just words, but love for people in horrible situations, that can truly help them. With this, the world knows Jesus and his disciples love. You can’t be a phony-bologna, just talking the words. We are called to “be real.”

 

And in this “being real,” we are called to Go out into the field of the needy people in actions of love, healing, teaching and compassion. It may get ugly at times, but being a disciple of Jesus is not about ease for self. And as we go, we pray, for help, guidance and the wisdom to understand the will of God in our going.

You see how Jesus calls His disciples to Him? Jesus is intimate and close to those who are close to Him. Jesus makes this call personal, both individually and as a group of twelve men. And in this intimate call of love and caring, Jesus grants these men the power and authority that they will need to carry out what Jesus is next going to send them to do.

And Jesus calls them, apostles. So, what’s the difference between an apostle and a disciple? The apostle is chosen by Jesus to go on a specific mission as directed by Jesus. A disciple is also sent, but a disciple is a follower of Jesus, paying attention to Jesus’ teaching, learning from Him and hearing His Word. There are many disciples, but fewer apostles.

Jesus sends the apostles out to the Jewish nation only. Later, Jesus would come to include Samaritans as well. So, who are Samaritans? They are a mixed race of people, Jews who married into Gentiles. That’s why they were so hated by the Jews and the Samaritans hated the Jews as well. Two peoples at odds with one another. Go figure! Sounds pretty typical by today’s standards as well. We sure love to hate one another. But God doesn’t exactly see things this way.

But even with the command to go to the Jewish people, Jesus sends the apostles to the “lost sheep.” So, even in manners of like race, there is a division as well. These “lost sheep,” are the people who have strayed away from God.

And the message? The Kingdom of God is nearby. How’s that? Well, the Messiah, Jesus, had come to earth to save His people. Get yourself ready to be spun around to face God!

Then Jesus tells the apostles to do what they have witnessed Him doing. Heal, cast out demons, have compassion and love all of the sinners… the “lost sheep.”

Apostles sent. Sent with little means, but with great means as well. How’s that? Well, taking little along, brings forth a great dependence on God’s provisions. God has given the apostles then and ourselves today all we need to live.

Remember the “Daily Bread” of the Lord’s Prayer. Well, that giving of “Daily Bread” includes everything we need to live life here now and into eternity with God.

Once again, the theme seems to be GO! GO where you are welcome and leave where you are rejected. Seems awful simple. Yet in reality, it gets complicated.

When you arrive, be compassionate and loving. Greet one another with the love God has given you, so that, you give that same love to those you meet. And that’s for each and every person. That gets tough, when the people reject you. But, do it just the same. When you are rejected for giving the love of God that God has freely given to you, well then, move along. God doesn’t send us out to brow-beat people.

Don’t get all wrapped up in judging those who refuse you. This may not just be “their time” yet. Their time may come later or not at all. That’s not up to you to get all wrapped around the wheel with.

And this sending comes with a truthful warning. You will be rejected. Your feelings will be damaged. But remember, this is not about you. This is about obedience to the command from God to GO!

So, don’t even worry about what you can say to convince those who reject you. It’s you they reject, sure, but it’s also the gift of the grace of God that they leave behind. So, if any words need said, let the Holy Spirit speak through you and move along.

We are called by God to obedience. We are called by God to GO and do what He commands. So, act out in response to what God has done for you, in love towards your neighbor. And you neighbor includes even those you don’t like or disagree with or are appalled by. God doesn’t “sugar coat” His message.

God draws us to Himself and makes us one with Him. What a joy this is! So, shout about it to all the world. Shout it out loud!

There’s a whole world out there filled with demons and evil. We are called, like the apostles to GO out into that world, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and witness to people, just like you and I, that are sinful and in need of forgiveness and salvation. That’s something that God did for His Children through Jesus. So, GO, and tell all you see day after day, what God has done FOR you and FOR them as well. Some will hear, some will not, some will turn to God later on, some will run away. That’s just how it is. Yet the offer from God stands… today… tomorrow… and forever.

This past week, I have spent a bunch of time on a small QRP radio. That’s a radio that only uses about 5 watts to send out messages. This radio uses CW or Morse Code and only on one band of frequencies, that is the 40-meter band.

So what?

When this radio works, I GO out into the airwaves to contact like enthusiasts using Morse Code to make contacts, to greet another soul in this world with good-will and a message of “Best Wishes.”

I GO without much power or prestige. I GO with a simple antenna. I GO with a small radio to send greetings. I don’t expect much. I know my contacts will be few and far between, and only at certain prime times of the day. But I GO. And in the GOING, I find joy.

Likewise, as you go to work, to school, to family and friends, GO knowing that God has given you all you need to GO. And even when it gets hard to reach out, even when you fail, know that God is with you, giving you all you need to GO.

In the GOING, you will see God, in others, in your struggles, and by your side; as you GO!

So, GO loving God and Neighbor. That’s why…

Thanks be to God!

Permit me to Geek out a bit… I listened to this favorite of mine, the “CQ Song.”

Thinking of sending 73… meaning “Best Wishes” or “Best Regards”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NGdr1QE7k&list=RD52NGdr1QE7k&start_radio=1