In Kingdom Order

Read Matthew 9:35-11:1, Mark 6:14-33
 
Matthew 10:5-8 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel – God’s lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”
 
DO the LORD God’s instructions apply to your Christian life? It seems Jesus has limited the apostles’ outreach to Jews only. And he has extended their power far beyond what most of us have experienced. How are these instructions relevant for our lives?
   First, Jesus was sending his apostles to the Jews because they are God’s chosen people. They are the first to receive the gospel message. Each apostle was a Jew, and he would be going to people he knew. There would be no cultural barriers to reject the apostles. We, too, can begin evangelism by going to people who are as we are in lifestyle and general culture.
   Second, we note the several ways Jesus urges his apostles to utilize God’s power. Some of you reading this make it a practice to go to a street corner and begin preaching. Some of you walk door-to-door to proclaim the good news. Usually you go two-by-two to minister to both the lost and the saved who are without a shepherd.
   Some of you engage in conversations with people about their lives, so you can help direct them to Jesus. Other times you might be in a place to more directly call people to repentance.
   Third, you are probably wondering about Jesus’ instructions: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Who can do that? Is this something we should expect to do today?
   Jesus empowered his disciples to this ministry. They would perform these miracles as he sent them on that day and later when they began the church. And, yes, amazingly God still uses people to heal the sick, resurrect the dead and restore the demon possessed. The point is to be a disciple of faith. Jesus authorized them to freely give as he had freely given to them.
   This Scripture is one of Jesus’ discipleship mandates. He has told us through the Holy Spirit and his anointed apostle Matthew that we are to be of faith to do this very same thing. It is certain we must go to people to preach – to deliver with knowledge – the good news of the Kingdom of God. As we preach, we must serve in the power of the Holy Spirit to care for people’s physical and moral brokenness. Pray for healing. Pray for repentance. Pray for resurrection. Pray for redemption. Going in faith, you will see how God is faithful to use you for his good work.
   Possibly you aren’t convinced. You may be saying to yourself, “I can’t do that.” It’s likely, though, Jesus' disciples thought the same thing.