The Vintage of Jesus (3rd time around)

Let’s do this.

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”
Matthew 10: 5-10

The Twelve Disciples were sent out by Jesus with instructions. Don't miss that. Jesus instructed His disciples on how to carry themselves and what to say. Jesus told his disciples to go out through Israel serving Him and making His name famous.

Why Israel? Let's be real... this is definitely a Sunday school answer, but it holds truth: Israel is God's chosen people. The Old Testament expresses this many times through God's many covenants with the Israelites. It is no coincidence, well nothing is, but in this situation I mean that Jesus has come to fulfill the prophecy spoken in the Old Testament. Basically, the entire OT was written in preparation for Him. And it bothered Jesus that God's Chosen People had lost souls - wayward sons and daughters. Thus it makes sense for Jesus to send His disciples first through Israel, and later all nations (check it).

Instructing the disciples to go along preaching that Heaven is near while performing miracles is intense. I mean, who wouldn't believe I guy when he heals you of some horrible STD or the Whooping Cough, and then proclaimed Heaven was near. Never been there, but I've heard they suck, which I'm (accurately) guessing this would be an incredibly powerful experience. In all seriousness, I can't get over how awesome it is that the disciples were able to drive out demons, heal sickness, and raise people from the flippin' dead by the power of Jesus' name. However, don't get lost in the miraculous, get lost in the Man, Christ Jesus who provides power and where the miracles point. It fires me up because I believe that can happen today. I believe Jesus would do anything to make His name famous. That God would move mountains to save one soul. I also believe that a lot of us are too small minded for such awe-inspiring miracles to take place in our lives. Jesus is clear in verse 8, He will do anything to reach the lost. That's bold, but that's Jesus.

"Freely you have received, freely give!"

These 6 words blow me away. We should serve Jesus and others, especially non-Christians, with this attitude. Freely do whatever it takes to make Jesus real and famous to everyone, and anyone. For we have done nothing to deserve the gift of Jesus being tortured and dying on a cross for our sins - He did it freely. We are to speak of Him and His gift as we received it - freely.

Which leads me to verses 9 & 10.

Jesus commanding the disciples to go out to preach His Name with nothing but themselves and His name, is perfect; hence, why its from Jesus. By taking nothing, the disciples had to rely completely on God for whatever they were given. The Twelve had to rely on Jesus and the Father for the simplicities of life. The disciples grew closer to God while preaching about His Son. That, by leading, they grew closer to the Father. There is no doubt that their faith in Christ and the Father grew tenfold, for they were taken care of while they traveled speaking truth and working His miracles!

However, I feel Jesus had something completely different in mind - you know, a 1 2 punch.

Jesus commands the disciples to travel Israel preaching, healing, and performing miracles in His name without any possessions. The Israelites whom the Twelve would heal, cast out demons, or simply speak to, would have to notice that these men had no belongings. They had to notice that these men were relying completely on God and His son, Jesus, to supply their needs. You know the saying, "Actions speak louder then words?" I have no doubt that some of the Israelites would have missed the Truth of Jesus preached by the Twelve, some would even miss the Truth in the miracles done by the simple uttering of Jesus' name, but to look at the actions, lives of the Twelve, to see the work of God through them, and to see how God provided for their needs, would be a greater testimony. There is no doubt that those three characteristics of the Twelve's journey through Israel brought the Truth that is Jesus to many Israelites. No doubt that Jesus knew the Twelve would not only speak and do His will, but also be a living testimony for the people of Israel. That's rockin'. I mean, that is perfection. What knocks my socks off is that's only a glimpse of Jesus' perfection.

The Lord has challenged me with this and I want to make the same challenge to you: Be that. Be the living example. Be the living light of Jesus to the world - no matter how hard, difficult, & impossible it may be. There's no doubt He will work through you! That work may be miracles, healings, or speaking to someone about His Son Christ Jesus. Nevertheless, it's all work for Christ Jesus, no matter how big or small we think the task may be.

Jesus says in verse 10 "for the worker is worth his keep." Be worth the keep.

As Rob & Big say, "Do work," but make it the work of the Lord.