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Jesus Commissions The Twelve Disciples (Mt. 10:5-15)

'Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town (Mt. 10:5-15).”’

Jesus avoided evangelizing the Gentiles and the Samaritans in His ministry and instructed the 12 disciples to do the same; “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt. 15:24).”  The divine plan of salvation was for the Jewish people to receive the Covenant promises first because through them all other nations would be able to find God.  The ministry of the apostles, the 12 disciples, was the same as Jesus’ ministry.  The Disciples were to try to bring the marginalized and alienated Israelites, the ‘lost sheep of Israel,’ to the Kingdom of God.  They disciples were to preach the same message that John the Baptist preached; ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt. 3:2).’  They would be able to perform the same miracles that Jesus performed.  They were to take nothing that would sustain them because Divine truths must be taught without expecting compensation.  The disciples must live on the local hospitality of the towns they enter trusting that God will provide.  The items Jesus forbade them to take were items with which they were not allowed to enter the Synagogue.  They should grant the peace of God to all who welcome them.

Almighty God, you said to whom much is given much is expected.  Help us to recognize the responsibility that accompanies the gifts you give us and to freely use them as you instruct.  Grant that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding fill our hearts and minds with the knowledge and love of God in Christ Jesus.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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