Verse of the Day 2/22

Through the Bible - Numbers 8-9, Mark 5:21-43

 

Good morning,

In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus calls his 12 disciples and gave them authority to go out and do His will, to minister to the people, chasing away evil and showing mercy and compassion for those in need.

We are probably more familiar with "the Great Commission" later on in Matthew.  Here Jesus sends them out to "get their feet wet"

Matt 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying,'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.    NKJV
or from the Message

Matt 10:7  Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. 

There are many things that you can learn from this passage.  God gave them talents, had had compassion on them, had loved them and would continue to serve them as well.  He indeed would make them fishers of men, but as the following verses indicated, it wasn't to be a money making venture.  They would have to continue to trust, lean on and depend on God and His provision and they would learn much in doing so.

 

One of the keys is found at the end of today's verse.  The NLT puts it like this, "you have been treated generously, so live generously".  It will mean not being so profit minded but rather "prophet minded", have the mind of the greatest prophet, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

How have you been healed, ministered to, and been given blessed by others?  May we all do the same for others and live generously, receiving a double blessing.
 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Matt 10:5-16

Sending Out the Twelve
(Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)

5 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.  6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  7 And as you go, preach, saying,'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.  9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,  10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

11 "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  12 And when you go into a household, greet it.  13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!    NKJV