Sunday, March 1, 2015

Matthew 10

"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." vv.5-6

Read chapter 10.
While Jesus was here on earth his ministry was to the Jews in the land (surrounding Jerusalem).  After he was resurrected He tells His disciples to then share the gospel to all Jews - even Hellenistic (Jews living Greek life), Mark 16:15-18.  And then after the period of the book of Acts the gospel is to all people and nations (gentiles), Acts 28:28.  Now of course Jesus still was God to everyone and gave nonJews chances to have faith in Him and would heal and reveal Himself as God to them (see Matt. 15, John 4) or same with Peter and Paul and Philip, all shared Christ with nonJews when the opportunity arose (see Acts 10, Acts 16, Acts 8:26-40).  A lot of people always try to read themselves into every command, but we need to notice who He gives commands to and that they're specific sometimes.  Like here in verse five it's to the 12, so the following verses that commands what they're to do is not a command of what we're to do in our ministry.  Yeah there might be some good practices but not a direct fact or way we have to or way that  will even work today.  Are you sometimes jealous of other's ministries?  Jealous of how some seem so "natural" at sharing Christ?  Take a lesson from these 12 in their ministry: these were the closet men to Christ and He gave them direction.  The closer and more time you spend with Him, the more clear, direct you'll know of how He's using and equipping you for whatever ministry you're apart of.

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