H
e walked from town to town, village to village preaching, teaching and healing. Crowds gathered. To Jesus they seemed disoriented and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. His heart filled with compassion for them, he said to his disciples, “There are so many. The harvest is plentiful but there are few harvesters. We should ask the Lord of the harvest to send people who can work so that these fields may be harvested for the sake of the kingdom of God and for their own sake.”
Calling his twelve disciples, he said “Israel as a nation is God’s chosen envoy to all people. It is time to give them the opportunity to fulfill their purpose. Their message to the world is the message I bring. Since it is theirs to preach and teach this message, it follows that it is theirs to first accept its Messenger, their Messiah, the Son of Man. Therefore, do not go among non-Jews or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.”
“And as you go, preach this message: ‘Hear O Israel, if you will receive it, the kingdom of heaven is here, at your very doorstep.’ Do kind and miraculous things for people. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy and drive out demons. Freely you have received the power to do this, freely give it away.
“Do not take along any money in your belts; take no luggage bag for the journey or extra clothing. Do not concern yourself with generating an income, for the message you bring is worth what it takes to keep you going.
“Whatever town or village you enter, search for a person of means and stay at his house until you have completed your mission for that town. As you enter the home, give it your greeting and declare your purpose plainly. If the home is sympathetic and receptive, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth; it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that place. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as a snake and as innocent as a dove.
“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If the head of the house has been called ‘Satan,’ how much more the members of his household! So the things you have seen me endure, expect to endure yourselves.
“They will threaten you with arrest, imprisonment or even death. There will be many reasons to be afraid, but don’t be. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. It is the Father, the One who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell, that you must consider and respect.
“But you need not be frightened of the Father. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet, not one of them will fall to the ground apart from his will. Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear. Hold nothing back. You are worth more than many sparrows.
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disclaims me before men, I will also disclaim.
“Now listen to what I am about to say. You know who I am. Therefore, your personal intimacy with me must exceed that of father or mother, son or daughter. If this is not the case, your service to me is unworthy. Anyone who does not serve me though it may mean his death, his service is not worthy either. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to you because you serve me, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
“Now go! Do it and do it like I know you can. Let me hear the crowds roar from Judea to Galilee. And know that with every step you take and in every word you speak, I shall be in your heart.” He didn’t say that they should hold him in their hearts, but that he would be there — regardless.
When he finished his speech, the twelve disciples went away shouting and pumping their fists in the air, enthused about their mission and what they had to accomplish. Jesus seemed pleased but sober as he watched them go. From there, he himself went on and continued to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
