Day 3–Power to Assist the Hurting
Scripture reading for February 18: Matthew 10:5-8 “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” You received without paying; give without pay.”
Each time a call for help comes in over ‘911’, responders are dispatched to go and help. Their training and equipment and authority from their position enables them to go and deal with whatever problem is needing assistance. We are not to show favoritism towards any nationality or social status, but help whoever is in need. As volunteers, we don’t do what we do for money and that is true of the vast majority of those receiving a salary. We are there to help because of a calling on our lives and have freely given of our time and effort. We go to those in need with ‘good news’ that someone in the community cares about them and is there to help.
Jesus sent out the twelve first disciples giving them specific instructions that were for them at that time. They were to go only to the house of Israel, not to Samaritans or other Gentile peoples. Their assignment was to proclaim the kingdom of heaven to those who had been prepared by their calling and training through Scripture. As a demonstration of the kingdom, Jesus empowered them with authority to heal those who were sick or afflicted. They were empowered to raise the dead and to cleanse those with the destructive disease of leprosy. Finally, they were given authority to cast out demons. The kingdom of heaven present meant that the old order of darkness and death must go. The results amazed everyone, including the disciples!
As a ‘faith’ responder, are you aware of the authority and calling that God has given you as a disciple of Jesus Christ? If you are also a first responder, do you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit for your response to each incident?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your people out to reach others who are hurting, and now to every nationality or background or age. Give me new boldness to apply Your Word to each incident and seek to bring the kingdom of heaven near to each person in their need. Amen.
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