[After giving the apostles authority to cast out evil spirits and heal every kind of disease and illness,] Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel — God's lost sheep."
—Matthew 10:5-6 NLT
Our world is supercharged because of religious hatred and woeful acts committed in the name of religious leaders. Any time a leader speaks against racial intermingling, s/he is quickly branded a prejudicial and racial bigot. Yet, here we see Jesus promoting a racially exclusive plan, but in this case it was a plan given to him by the Father (John 6:38). He followed that will and executed that plan perfectly. Doing so meant going to the Jewish people, first. They were his own people. They were the people God chose to redeem the fallen world. Jesus wanted to save them. The apostle Paul, also followed this plan (Romans 1:16-17). But he was also training his 12 apostles to be ready to go into all the world. To be ready to reach the world, they needed first to learn how to influence the people with whom they were most familiar, the culture they knew best. Then, when time was ripe and the disciples were better trained, Jesus issued a new order to supersede this limited one. That later one (Matthew 28:19) was not just for Israel, but for all nations, and during his own ministry, Jesus cared for Gentiles and even commended some for their faith (Matthew 8:5-13, 15:21-28)!
Righteous Father, help me as I try to help others share the Good News of Jesus. Please stir us all to do more than just study with the lost, but to love them and share Jesus with them. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 10:5-6 NLT
Key Thought
Our world is supercharged because of religious hatred and woeful acts committed in the name of religious leaders. Any time a leader speaks against racial intermingling, s/he is quickly branded a prejudicial and racial bigot. Yet, here we see Jesus promoting a racially exclusive plan, but in this case it was a plan given to him by the Father (John 6:38). He followed that will and executed that plan perfectly. Doing so meant going to the Jewish people, first. They were his own people. They were the people God chose to redeem the fallen world. Jesus wanted to save them. The apostle Paul, also followed this plan (Romans 1:16-17). But he was also training his 12 apostles to be ready to go into all the world. To be ready to reach the world, they needed first to learn how to influence the people with whom they were most familiar, the culture they knew best. Then, when time was ripe and the disciples were better trained, Jesus issued a new order to supersede this limited one. That later one (Matthew 28:19) was not just for Israel, but for all nations, and during his own ministry, Jesus cared for Gentiles and even commended some for their faith (Matthew 8:5-13, 15:21-28)!
Today's Prayer
Righteous Father, help me as I try to help others share the Good News of Jesus. Please stir us all to do more than just study with the lost, but to love them and share Jesus with them. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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