Jesus’ Ministry and the Urgent Call
Let’s start by reading Matthew 9:35-38:
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
The ministry of Jesus was already in full swing. He was already teaching the crowds, He already had His followers, and the miracles, signs, healings, wonders, and prodigies were multiplying daily.
Cities were being visited, and the Gospel of the Kingdom was being spread throughout the region. After so many teachings, it was time for Jesus to send His disciples out to do the same.
Matthew chapter 10 begins by presenting the names of the 12 Apostles of Christ and goes on to describe the mission given to them. It’s important to note that Jesus sent them first to the Jews, not the Gentiles.
Why? Because the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah. They already knew the true God through the Mosaic Law and the Lord’s actions among His chosen people. The House of Israel needed to be restored first, before the message could be taken to other parts. However, the rejection by the Jews fuelled the need for the Word to be taken to the Gentiles.
The term “stray sheep” refers to those Jews who did not recognise the Lord as their God.
Just as today, there are people within the Churches who do not know the Lord, who do not know who Jesus is, and have no idea about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Returning to the mission given to the Twelve: Jesus gave them several special powers. Not like movie heroes, with capes, masks, laser beams, etc. On the contrary, they would go exactly as they were, just like you and me.
Let’s look at the special powers:
- Preaching the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven
- Healing the sick
- Cleansing lepers
- Raising the dead
- Casting out demons
Regarding these points, the disciples did not have a certificate or a course attesting that they had the skills for this. But they had the seal of the Holy Spirit, the power of God. The Word of God Himself was working through them to do all of this.
And all this was done without taking money, extra clothes, or bags… and going out like lambs among wolves. Defenceless and ready to be attacked.
Would you apply for a job like that?
The Great Commission
The best part of all is knowing that this was all training for the Great Commission in Chapter 28:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This passage was after the resurrection, in Galilee, and it marks the sending out to all nations.
Here, the powers cited by Jesus are the following:
- Go
- Make disciples
- Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
- Teach the nations
- Promise: Jesus is with us always!
A fundamental difference between the first commission and this one is that the Lord speaks about Himself:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Jesus had already completed His ministry, had already died on the cross, had already defeated death, had already left the tomb, had already taken the keys of hell, and had everything under control, as always. All power was conferred upon Him in heaven and on earth.
Having all power, He is capable of giving authority to His apostles and to all of us who are called according to His name!
This power must not be confused with a position, a degree, a certificate, or anything like that. The authority that comes from God is sovereign, and the seal that proves this authority is the Holy Spirit in our lives.
We must not fall into the deception of thinking we have any power in ourselves! Having no fire is better than having false fire! The true fire of the Holy Spirit is the power we need to continue doing the work of the Lord.
The stray, disoriented, and lost sheep, as if without a shepherd, need to recognise the authority that comes from above in each one of us Christians. Our lives need to reflect the image of our Creator. We need to have the scent of God, showing that we are with Him, close to Him, walking with Him. We need to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Just like those who were healed and went out announcing the arrival of the Messiah, we must proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom, for the time has come when many other prophecies will be fulfilled, and are already being fulfilled. Matthew chapter 24 recounts what Jesus said about the end times and… we are living them right now! It is time to announce the Gospel and transform lives.
Conclusion
Our lives need to reflect the glory of God, and we need to pray more, much more; to seek God incessantly, to be in the Father’s presence constantly, so that we may be used according to His holy, good, perfect, and pleasing will.
Let’s go to the nations! Jesus has already commanded us, He has already given us the authority and power for this, and He who promised is faithful to fulfil it!
More Resources
Thanks for reading this article! All the answers you need are in the Bible, the written version of the Word of God. If you want to know more about Him, we’ve created a beautiful Bible Reading Plan. And to help you in your journey with Jesus, we also have a very interesting ebook, The Things Above. Check it out!
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