Matthew 10:1-8
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last passage, we heard Jesus tell his disciples to pray that God would send more workers for the harvest. In today’s passage the work of multiplication begins with the sending out of the twelve. Read Matthew 10:1-8 noting anything that stands out to you.
They have watched Jesus exercise his authority over sickness and disease, evil spirits, and even death. Now Jesus gives his authority to the twelve disciples and sends them out with instructions to do what they have seen him do.
Luke tells what appears to be the same story but includes seventy-two of Jesus’ followers – not just the twelve (Luke 10:1-12). But Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience and wants to underscore the fact that Jesus is recapitulating, or redoing, what the nation of Israel was supposed to do (namely, represent God and bless all the families of the earth), and the twelve disciples, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, are about to do just that.
Take some time to meditate on God’s call to Abraham in Genesis 12 listening to see if God wants to speak to you through these words:
“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3
Read Matthew 10:1-8 again focusing on Jesus’ directives to the twelve.
Since the beginning of his ministry, Jesus has been proclaiming and demonstrating the restoration of the Kingdom of God on earth. Now Jesus gathers a community to continue the work, and rather than start over, he begins with the “lost sheep Israel” – the people called by God through Abraham to bless the earth. Eventually the community of Jesus will expand to include anyone who puts their faith in Jesus and follows him.
As Jesus’ followers, we are the answer to the prayer Jesus told his disciples to pray. We are the workers God has sent into the fields. Our work is to be a blessing to everyone we encounter so that through us God can bless all the families of the earth.
As you end this time of meditation, consider how you are living out God’s charge to be a blessing to others. Enter into a conversation with Jesus and share anything you are thinking or feeling. Then listen to him.
Is Jesus leading you to do something as a result of today’s passage?
If so, be sure to make a plan to follow through.
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