After the Sabbath break, Lenten Reflections continue - Day 11 - Matthew 10:1-25 - Monday, March 17 In previous chapters, Matthew has presented Jesus to us as one who has authority - this has been demonstrated through both his words and his deeds. Matthew now introduces us to The Twelve as we read that Jesus transferred some of his authority to them. They would be empowered to forgive sins (blasphemy, as you we recall), to heal diseases and even to have authority over “demons.” These twelve are a special band, indeed. The symbolism of hte number twelve would not have been lost on Matthew’s early readers: Jesus is metaphorically reconstituting the twelve tribes of Israel - this is of cosmic importance. From Matthew, we have learned little of the individuals on the list. Who they are is less important than the fact that they were among Jesus’ chosen twelve. The disciples were sent out to the lost tribes of Israel - students of the new testament will understand that the early disciples were reluctant to go to the Gentiles, and that it was quite some time until the early church was in agreement as to its mission to the Gentiles. For now, the apostles are sent to the people of Israel It is not until after the first Easter that we hear Matthew expand the mission - “to all nations.” An interesting highlight of this portion of scripture is the word of comfort and assurance that is given. We know that following Easter, and in the early days of the church, Christians were targets for suspicion and persecution. Matthew’s early readers may well have found themselves facing a time of trial - of coming before the “authorities” - and Jesus’ words to The Twelve would have been a comfort to those early Christians. Here we find the assurance that in times of trial, followers of Jesus will not have to rely solely on their own resources. God, thorugh the Holy Spirit, will be present with them, offering them not only comfort, but also giving them the very words they will need to face their accusers. Perhaps you can recall a time when you felt that you were being aided by a power beyond your own. Following difficult times, Christians will often recount how they sensed a presence with them, helping them, giving them strength and comfort. Today, take a moment and see if you can remember such a time, and then thank God for the Spirit’s presence with you. As we head out into the day, may we all be on the lookout for the variety of ways in which God speaks to us and make’s the divine presence known. Some days, that is the only thing that will get us through. . . ************************************************************ The Twelve Apostles 10 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. The Mission of the Twelve 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “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 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Coming Persecutions 16 “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:20:27 +0000
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