Lord, I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of the discpiles and the emotional roller coaster they were on while You were speaking with them. I can almost hear their thoughts.
v5-
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
v6-
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
v7-
As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
This might have brought a sigh of relief as the Jews hated the Gentiles and vice-versa.
"I get to go to my own people. WHEW! I don't have to go to the Gentile "dogs"!
v8-
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
WOW, Jesus! You are giving us the power we have seen in You to do great things! This is going to be SO COOL! I can only imagine how many people are going to flock to me!
v9-
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—
no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep."
Uh, Lord...You want me to go to the cities of the lost sheep, but with no money to buy food, no extra coat if I get cold or wet, no extra sandals and no staff to protect myself? Ok...this is starting to lose the appeal here. How in the world am I supposed to survive? What if I am not accepted or what if no one will acept me into their house? Will I have to sleep outside and go hungry?
v 10-15
Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Lord, isn't that a bit harsh? I mean we ALL know what happened at those cities. They were burned with fire and brimstone and everybody but Lot's family died! What could be worse than that?
v16a
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."
What, Lord? Really? I thought You said You loved me! Why would You give me all of this power just to send me to my death among the "wolves" How am I supposed to do this hard thing?
v16b-17a
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard;
I guess so, Lord! I am a strong outdoor type that has fought storms, lived under Roman rulers who are ruthless, but I have also seen how the Pharisees have treated us when You were with us...now You're sending us out without You to protect us? This is obviously not going to be a fun outing is it?
v 17b
you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles
Now wait a minute, Lord! This is not a maybe thing is it? You are saying that we WILL BE turned over to the authorities! Arrested? I don't know as I knew beforehand that I signed on for flogging. So, OK...Maybe it won't be too many times, but what will I come up with when they as me why I am preaching about You?
v 19
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
THANK YOU, LORD! That will be a huge relief.
v 22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Lord, by "everyone" do you really mean EVERYONE will hate me, but not because of who I am, but because of who You are? Lord, You are so gracious , loving, and kind. You have done so much good!
v10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
OK, Lord. Thanks for telling us everything and giving us the warnings and the encouragements. I would much rather follow Yoy who can save me forever than serve the one who hates me and who can send me into hell forever!
Lord, You have called us to the same thing...not to the lost sheep of Israel, but to the white and black sheep that live around us. The spiritual temperature is getting ever more anti-Christ in our nation. We may come to this in our own country soon too. I want to be able to say that I will follow You no matter what. You will have to give me the grace and courage at that time, Lord, because I will not have any of my own. I am not afraid to die, because I will not, but it is the torture that terrifies me. On my own I am not at all sure I could stand up against "flogging" in whatever form it might come to me, but Lord, I trust You!!!! |
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