1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called 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 Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Here we see that the Lord Jesus sent out twelve disciples to preach the gospel, giving them authority to heal the sick and drive out demons. Jesus first sent them to preach the gospel to the Israelites, not to the non Israelites Gentiles, the Lord Jesus wants them to preach, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, what does it mean? The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, kingdome of God meas kingship of God, that is God is king of our life, Lord of our life. Lord Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is within you, in your hearts. When a person accepts God as their Lord, they receive the Holy Spirit, the presence of the Lord is with them, the kingdom of heaven is in their hearts. Jesus wants them to give peace to those who are worthy. If anyone will not welcome them or listen to their words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off their feet, what does this mean? this means having nothing to do with their impurity, they are self inflicted and their future outcome has nothing to do with them. Jesus continued, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. From the Old Testament, we know that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God due to their great sins. Here, the Lord Jesus speaks of a town that does not receive his disciples or listen to their words. On the judgment day in the future, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. I hope that more people will accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior of their life, and accept God’s love and blessings.
May God bless you and your family! 🙏😊
