Matthew 10 - Part 2

 

Read Matthew 10

Now it’s time for mission guidance.  Let’s begin with constraints—the things you must do.

First, go to the lost sheep of Israel.  These are the people designated to receive the message with which you are sent.

This is the message.  The kingdom of heaven has come near.  The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Open your eyes, the kingdom of heaven is available to you now.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Find a home worthy of taking care of you.  Let your peace rest upon it.

Here are the restraints—the things they were not to do.

Don’t go to the gentiles or to a Samaritan town.

Don’t take a bag of money or extra clothes.  If you are doing what you are sent to do, you don’t need these.

Don’t go into a home hostile to you or to God.  Grant it neither your peace nor your presence.  If you find out you are in such a place, get out and leave it behind like you were passing a cattle truck in August.

 Here’s the summary.  You are on a mission not a vacation.  Go and do what you were sent to do.  The right people will support you and care for you.  You are not sent to battle those set against you or against God.  You are sent to bring good news to the lost among God’s Chosen People.

Amen.