5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,a 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— 10no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. (Matthew 10:5-10)
Thoughts: Jesus did not just say "Go and figure this out." He gave instructions- but not as we might think. There was a practical side- how much money, where to stay, what to do if you are rejected or accepted, and what to do when you get there. But most of the lengthy- chapter-long instructions were about spiritual matters- blessing, praying, giving, healing. In the church we can get all caught up in the organizing things and miss the heart- the spiritual things. The church will not survive on human organizational skills alone very well. Such skills may generate interest and meet needs but it will usually create a shallow and surface church.
The message is not a typical church message. It is that God is visiting- now. There is an urgency to it- the kingdom is very near- around the corner. Some scholars wax eloquent on how wrong this was. They would point out that the kingdom didn't fully come. But the King came- he was near, and the resurrection and Pentecost was an in-breaking of the new kingdom come. The signs of the new kingdom was goodness winning over evil- the sick are healed; death is conquered by resurrection; the lepers are cleansed and the demons are fleeing. The kingdom had already come to the disciples. They had received it freely. Ironically, Jesus wasn't talking just about money. 99% of the time this verse is used, it is referring to freely you have received [money] therefore freely give [money]. While a good case can be made that this applies to money as well- Jesus is basically talking about the kingdom being freely received and given.
Then Jesus does talk about money and stuff in verses nine and ten. He basically tells them to be dependent on God and not on their own saved up resources. I remember hearing that the Air Force Academy guys are taught to survive in the woods on their own for weeks- learning what plants and roots are edible. This is what Jesus is teaching his disciples. They were learning that even if they lose all their stuff, they can still depend on God. The people that they bring good news to are supposed to support them. The worker is worthy of his keep. God will provide for the disciples as they share the good news. If they do not share the good news then they are not worthy of being kept. When the kingdom is received and believed, the workers in that kingdom are seen as important and worthy of support. Today religious leaders are criticized for having anything. Jesus had little but he was not opposed to his followers being paid for their work.
The message is not a typical church message. It is that God is visiting- now. There is an urgency to it- the kingdom is very near- around the corner. Some scholars wax eloquent on how wrong this was. They would point out that the kingdom didn't fully come. But the King came- he was near, and the resurrection and Pentecost was an in-breaking of the new kingdom come. The signs of the new kingdom was goodness winning over evil- the sick are healed; death is conquered by resurrection; the lepers are cleansed and the demons are fleeing. The kingdom had already come to the disciples. They had received it freely. Ironically, Jesus wasn't talking just about money. 99% of the time this verse is used, it is referring to freely you have received [money] therefore freely give [money]. While a good case can be made that this applies to money as well- Jesus is basically talking about the kingdom being freely received and given.
Then Jesus does talk about money and stuff in verses nine and ten. He basically tells them to be dependent on God and not on their own saved up resources. I remember hearing that the Air Force Academy guys are taught to survive in the woods on their own for weeks- learning what plants and roots are edible. This is what Jesus is teaching his disciples. They were learning that even if they lose all their stuff, they can still depend on God. The people that they bring good news to are supposed to support them. The worker is worthy of his keep. God will provide for the disciples as they share the good news. If they do not share the good news then they are not worthy of being kept. When the kingdom is received and believed, the workers in that kingdom are seen as important and worthy of support. Today religious leaders are criticized for having anything. Jesus had little but he was not opposed to his followers being paid for their work.
Prayer: Lord, may your kingdom come near me. Bring healing, and hope beyond what I can see. Help me to see your power and might and give myself fully to you. Let me value your kingdom above my kingdom and trust that you will provide for my needs.
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