Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
Matthew 10:1-15: Jesus calls his twelve disciples together and commissions them to continue the mission he has initiated.
Scripture Reading
The Twelve Apostles
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
The Mission of the Twelve
5 These twelve men were sent out by Jesus with the following instructions: “Do not go to any Gentile territory or any Samaritan towns. 6 Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. 7 Go and preach, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is near!’ 8 Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons. You have received without paying, so give without being paid. 9 Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your pockets; 10 do not carry a beggar’s bag for the trip or an extra shirt or shoes or a walking stick. Workers should be given what they need.
11 “When you come to a town or village, go in and look for someone who is willing to welcome you, and stay with him until you leave that place. 12 When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ 13 If the people in that house welcome you, let your greeting of peace remain; but if they do not welcome you, then take back your greeting. 14 And if some home or town will not welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place and shake the dust off your feet. 15 I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah than to the people of that town!
Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 10:7
[Jesus said:] “Go and preach, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is near!’”
Reflect
What instructions does Jesus give to his disciples? What qualities does Jesus require of his followers? If you were present to hear Jesus’s words directly, how do you think you would have responded? In what ways do you carry out Jesus’s mission?
Pray
Lord Jesus, just as you challenged your disciples to share the gospel, you challenge us today to spread your gospel of love and salvation throughout the world. Open the hearts and minds of all who need to hear your message, and empower me to share the Good News. Amen.
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Tomorrow’s Reading
Matthew 10:16-31: Jesus foretells of coming persecutions.