In yesterday’s Daily, Michael drew out some great truths. He pointed out that the disciples were never intended to stop at 12. As a famous theologian once noted “[God] did not say, ‘Go therefore and make converts of as many people as possible’.” He said go and make disciples of all nations.
Not only did Jesus say that but in Matthew 28:18-20 He gives you and me (you read that right) His power to accomplish this and He says He will be with us (all disciples) until the end of the age.
In today’s reading, we see Jesus commanding his disciples to make something else: miracles.
Some feel that miracles have ceased. We submit that the pursuit of being a true disciple and making them is what ceased first. As Ray Vander Laan put it:
The Hebrew word for disciple is talmid. This word stresses the relationship between rabbi (teacher or master) and disciple (student). A talmid of Jesus' day would give up his entire life in order to be with his teacher. The disciple didn't only seek to know what the teacher knew, as is usually the case today. It was not enough just to know what the rabbi said, but the foremost goal of any talmid was to become like the rabbi and do what the rabbi did.
It can all feel so harrowing at times. Giving things up is hard. The first disciples ran at times when confronted with this reality. What hope do we have of becoming talmid, let alone making them? We read the Word and seeing -- with our own eyes -- sick healed, demons cast out, and dead raised? It seems impossible.
While the types of miracles we see may be different (or not), God will be faithful to use us to do the impossible the more we trust in Him. If it all seems daunting, it need not -- if you want true discipleship in your life, it will likely not happen overnight but through small acts of devotion to your Lord.
Yesterday’s Daily gave us a clue to the first step: pray earnestly. Do this often and regularly, and the Lord will equip you with His Holy Spirit to cast aside worry about material concerns and deepen your ascent into discipleship.
Matthew 10:1-15
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Why did He send them to the nation of Israel first? See also John 1:11-12
+ Why do you think that they were not to make advance provision for their journey? vs 9-10
+ Read verse 15. God is so grieved by others rejecting the Gospel of grace what does He say their punishment will exceed?
+ What or Who were the disciples filled with that made rejecting them so grievous?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How does this Daily make you feel? Anxious? That’s a tactic of the enemy, the “accuser”, the “father of lies”. Pray. Fast. Seek Him. If you truly desire discipleship, a miracle will happen.
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?