Matthew 9:35-10:8 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 9:35-10:8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. Verse 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Verse 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Verse 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Chapter 10Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. Verse 2These 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; Verse 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Verse 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
Verse 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, Verse 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Verse 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Verse 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
Devotion
Look what happens when the Lord's disciples come near. When Jesus called the twelve disciples he sent them out to proclaim the good news that God's sovereign reign was coming near in this Jesus. Jesus authorizes and sends his followers to do the same things he himself has been doing: bringing good news to people who needed God's new life. They were called and then equipped to cure diseases, to have power over evil spirits, to restore the outcasts. When God comes near you may be called and equipped to lift a burden for another or to bring a word of joy in Jesus’ name. Keep your eyes open for your ministry moment today.
Prayer
Almighty and holy God, make my heart ready to hear your call. Draw near so that I may be equipped to share the good news of your grace. Amen.