A CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
The little band of helpers – (iii) walking the talk
Reading: Matthew 10:5-8a Click to view passage
The twelve are not only to talk about the Kingdom, they are to back it up with the deeds of the Kingdom too. This passage reflects all they have just seen Jesus do, (9:18-34). Michael Green suggests we are to deal with this passage on two levels: (a) what it is saying to the original apostles and (b) what it is saying to us as we seek to be more committed. (i) Heal the sick (v8). The word “sick” here means “to be weak.” At the very least, we are to be the encouragers of the weak as Isaiah says, we are to “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way,” (35:3). (ii) Raise the dead (v8). Human beings, left to themselves, are “dead” in their sins, (Ephesians 2:1). We need to show them that in Christ, they can be made alive. (iii) Cleanse the lepers (v8) For us this could be dealing with the pain of social suffering such as HIV Aids as well as leprosy. (iv) Casting out demons (v8). It would be wrong to equate emotional problems with demon possession. However Christian counselling can release people from being enslaved to very deep problems.
Meditation: How can I help those around me in a really constructive, life-giving way?
Prayer pointer: We need to be instruments of hope and peace., dealing with pain and problems
Matthew:61
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