Sunday 18 Jun 2023

June 18: Matthew 10:1-8

Key Verse: Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

Devotion:
Have you ever wondered why Jesus told the disciples to not go out to the Gentiles or Samaritans but rather to stay with the Jews? Do you think it was to only look out for His chosen race, or maybe there was something more to it? I don’t believe it was simply to make sure the Jews came first because they were the chosen race; I think it was more to build up a foundation for Christianity!

We can see how God chose Paul and other people to be missionaries going out into the rest of the world to spread the Gospel, so it can’t simply be to make sure the Jews came first. But, equally, the spreading of the Gospel has to have a starting point, one which has a sure foundation and many people to call on for support. I believe Jesus wanted a sure foundation of people who would always pray for support and train up more people who would go out into the world.

If we want to be able to send out missionaries to go and spread God’s Word, then we have to have a place they can call home where they will always get the support they need when they need it. Yes God is always going to be with them wherever they go, but having people who can send aid for earthly needs when needed is going to make sure the missionaries will be able to survive when the going gets tough!

We need to focus on the here and now to build up a core of people who are willing to pray and build up the local community so the outreach can be greater and more sustained. God wanted the disciples to see this and this is why people like Paul were able to go to all the countries knowing someone was watching their backs...

Points to Ponder:
Do you think God is calling you to do something?

Do you have people who are willing to pray and support your efforts?