Slices
Prepare
What are your relationships like with other people at your church? As with all of us, I suspect there are people you find challenging. If you can, picture them, name them and give thanks to God for them now.
Bible passage
The workers are few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
Jesus sends out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness.
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.
Explore
Short summaries like verse 35 serve to mark a shift in Matthew (we will find another in 11:1). In chapter 9 the focus is on Jesus himself healing, teaching and facing opposition. In chapter 10 that focus switches to his disciples.
Why? First, Jesus had compassion on the crowds. Verse 36 is replete with Old Testament echoes (for example, Numbers 27:15–17; Ezekiel 34:1–16; Zechariah 10:2,3). Jesus saw the lack of faithful leaders (political and spiritual) and a helpless people in need of new leadership and direction.
But secondly, how could one man, who could only be in one place at one time, possibly harvest a nation (v 37) – let alone a world? He couldn’t be interrupted by everyone who needed his help, so he delegated authority to the twelve (v 1).
And what a mixed bag they were: working class, educated, impetuous, hesitant, treacherous – including a tax collector (v 3) and a political zealot (v 4). It’s a miracle they didn’t kill each other, let alone fulfil their mission!
Respond
It would be much easier if everyone in the church were ‘like me’. But it would also be weaker and far more boring. This week, how can you encourage someone in your church who isn’t like you?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Kings 10,11; 1 Corinthians 13
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that Mission Partner C4E will have more open doors to take the good news of Jesus into schools in North Wales in the Rhos-on-Sea to Prestatyn area. Pray that those who made a commitment at The Message event in April will continue to grow in their faith.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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