Matthew 10 - The Kingdom of Heaven Has Drawn Near!
Key Verses for Today:
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
As I mentioned yesterday, Matthew 10 represents a turning point in the the mission and ministry of Jesus. Jesus changes from doing the ministry to turning the ministry over to the disciples. Jesus had chosen 12 of the disciples and designated them to be "apostles". The word apostle means, "The one who is sent, or messenger". The apostles were now being sent out with very specific instructions from Jesus.
First, they were to go first to the lost sheep of Israel. As I mentioned yesterday, in chapter 9 Jesus had compassion when he looked upon the lost sheep of Israel, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Despite being the chosen ones of God, their shepherds, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, completely missed the coming of the Messiah. So, Jesus told them to bring the message of the kingdom first to them.
Though Jesus would eventually sent the apostles out to the Samaritans and Gentiles, their first call was to go to the Jews. This shows us that sometimes God calls us to reach out to a specific people group. This doesn't mean God didn't care about the Gentiles or Samaritans, but He sent them to the Jews first. The Jews were the recipients of the covenant God made with Abraham. God revealed himself to the Israelites in the desert through Moses. King David built the first temple for God to dwell.
Though God loves all people the same, He chose to reveal himself first to the Jewish people. But unfortunately they rejected him.
As Jesus sent the apostles out, he gave them the authority to do the same things he had done. Their primary message was the same message Jesus gave, "The kingdom of heaven has drawn near". It had drawn near through Jesus and now was drawing near through them. God's kingdom comes when God's rule or reign is present on the earth.
The signs of the kingdom were the restoration of how human beings back to who they were supposed to be. Sick people were restored to health. Those who had died came back to life. Those who had leprosy were made clean. Those were possessed by demons were set free. Though demons had a certain amount of authority, it was nothing compared with the authority of the Son of God. This is why when we say, "In the name of Jesus come out of him", the demons must obey. They must obey Jesus, who is the name above all names.
Application for Daily Living
As a disciple and apostle of Jesus, we too have been sent out to preach and live out the message that the "kingdom of heaven has drawn near". Before we access God's kingdom, Jesus needs to rule in our hearts. We need to give Jesus the authority to run our lives. As Jesus is the leader of our lives, He will use to be his ambassador in the world.
We are no different than Jesus' apostles. We are called to do the things he has done. He has given us the power to do these things. Our enemy is always at work trying to use people to do his bidding knowingly or unknowingly. I think one of the areas Christians are most ignorant is the power they have as children of God and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us, and is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
Ask Jesus to fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit, as you live your life in Jesus' power and authority!
Prayer of the Day
Jesus you came to bring Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. May your kingdom continue to come through us powerfully, as we allow you to be our leader and Lord. May Your works of power flow through us, as we walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment