These twelve Jesus sent out w...

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

7As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ - P34

14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. - P35

Jesus calls His twelve disciples and gives them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal every disease—tasks that He Himself has done on this earth. The disciples become an extension of their teacher as they demonstrate the power of the kingdom of heaven. - P36

The disciples’ mission is Jesus’ mission, showing that Jesus is present among them and working through them. Though the twelve disciples come from different backgrounds, each of them holds a special place in Jesus’ mission. - P36

Today, Jesus is likewise calling us to be His workers in the harvest of His kingdom. Having witnessed His power and authority through the Scriptures, we are called to continue His divine mission as His stewards. - P36

After calling His disciples, Jesus gives clear instructions for the harvest-where to go, what to do, and how to do it, including guidance on the rightattitude and approach. This marks the beginning of their mission, and allthey need to do is follow Jesus‘ strategy.  - P36

Though they may face oppositionand rejection, there is no need to worry or fear; God will provide for them.
As we step into the mission Jesus entrusts us with, we are not stepping intoit empty-handed. Through the Scriptures, He equips us with clear instruc-tions and guidance so that we can turn to Him when we are unsure of whatto do or how to do it. - P36

I am comforted as I am reminded that I, too, am called for a specific rolein Jesus‘ mission. Despite my limitations and imperfections as a mission-ary, Jesus reassures me that His power and authority are with me as I stepinto the world. He affirms me with His loving voice, leading my steps andshowing me the right path. As I walk forward in faith, I trust that He willcontinue to guide, empower) and use me for His glory. - P37

Dear God, I am honored that You have called me to be a worker for Your harvest. Help me to demonstrate the power of Your kingdom and be a witness to those who do not yet believe in You. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P37

27As Jesus went on from there...

27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.

29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you";
- P30

33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." - P31

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

- P31

Two blind men follow Jesus, crying out for the Son of David to have mercy on them. They acknowledge who Jesus is—the long-awaited Messiah with the power and authority to bring healing and salvation. Jesus asks whether they truly believe that He can heal them, and when they respond with confidence in Him, Jesus affirms that their sight will be restored according to their faith. - P32

Jesus is not indifferent to the prayers of those who trust Him. He is the Savior of the world, and His mercy is ever ready to welcome whoever comes to Him in faith. - P32

When our faith meets His mercy, our eyes are opened to know Him as He is.
- P32

This passage builds a bridge between the work of the kingdom and thecalling of the disciples to continue it. All of Jesus‘ ministry-teaching, proclaiming, and healing is rooted in His compassion for the harassed andhelpless, those who are like sheep without a shepherd.  - P32

Now, Jesus invites thedisciples to join Him in His mission. This requires not only doing the worksthat Jesus did, but also having a heart of compassion toward the lost.  - P32

Kingdom ministry is a ministry of compassion, and we are all called to align withour Father‘s heart and willingly offer ourselves for the harvest of His field.
- P32

Remember, there are still who need the good news of Jesus Christ. - P32

In today‘s passage, Jesus likens the work of the kingdom to the harvestingseason. When the time is right for harvest,
t, the farmer needs to recruit manyworkers to gather the crops. If the harvest is delayed, the crops will spoil andgo to waste.  - P33

God has already sown the gospel in this world and into manypeople‘s hearts. Now is the time for workers to step up and gather thosewho are ready to enter Hikingdom. The time is now, but the workers arefew; more workers are needed in the harvest field. What would you do ifJesus asked you today, "Will you join Me in My mission of harvestingWherever we are and whatever our calling may be, we can all say "yes" andtakepart in His mission. - P33

Lord Jesus, I see Your compassion for the lost and Your desire to restore them. As I have received Your mercy and grace, help me to have a compassionate heart and join in the healing and saving work of Your Kingdom. In Your name, amen. - P33

18While he was saying this, a...

18While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." - P26

22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment. - P27

23When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,

24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.

- P27

Both the synagogue leader and the bleeding woman approach Jesus in faith,
confident that He can heal. Their situations are extreme. The woman hassuffered for twelve years and her condition has made her ritually unclean;she is expected to stay away from others. The synagogue leader‘s daughterhas already died, and when Jesus says that she is sleeping, the crowd laughsat Him.  - P28

But both the sick woman and the dead girl are completely restoredwhen Jesus steps in.  - P28

There may be obstacles, social pressure, doubt, or fearthat discourage us from drawing near to Jesus. However, when we reach outto Him in faith, we can trust that He sees us and will reach out to us.  - P28

Wemust not allow stigma or unbelief to keep us from seeking Him, for His touch still restores today. - P28

John the Baptist’s disciples ask Jesus why His disciples do not follow the common practice of fasting, and Jesus explains that His followers will fast when He ascends and is no longer with them on earth. Spiritual disciplines have their proper time and place. If they are done simply for the sake of following tradition, they become meaningless and unhelpful. - P28

In our faith journey, there will be different seasons of deep devotion, joy, rest, hard work, endurance, and celebration. As we remain close to God, we can discern each season and the areas that we are to grow in during that time. Then we can apply our spiritual disciplines with intentionality and find wholeness in Christ. - P28

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your love and grace. I desire to draw closer to You each day. Help me to come to You in faith without hesitation and to trust in Your plans for me. In Your name I pray, amen. - P28

5Which is easier: to say, ‘Yo...

5Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

6But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home."

- P22

9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

- P23

12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

- P23

Some of the teachers of the law accuse Jesus of blaspheming because Heproclaimed the paralyzed man‘s sins were forgiven, something only Godcould do. They do not realize that Jesus is the Son of God.  - P24

The Phariseesalso question why Jesus would eat with tax collectors, who are known fortaking bribes and charging more than they should. Jesus points out that thePharisees care more about rituals and outward displays of piety than caringfor people. Jesus treats sinners with compassion rather than contempt,
recognizing their need for forgiveness and mercy.  - P24

He not only forgives sinbut also offers physical healing and restoration. Remembering the forgiveness we received for our sins encourages us to have compassion rather thancontempt for the people around us who struggle with sin and need therestoration Jesus gives. - P24

yerDear Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Keep us humble and teachus to follow Your ways with sincere hearts. Help us show mercy to others asYou have shown mercy to us. In Your name, amen. - P25

26He replied, ˝You of little ...

26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" - P152

30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.

31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."

32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
- P153

When the disciples are caught in a sudden storm, they cry out to Jesus tosave them. He questions why they are afraid and have so little faith, and totheir amazement, Jesus calms the wind and waves. Sometimes we feel likewe are caught in the storms of life, and we may wonder whether God evencares about us. We may feel so distraught that we do not even cry out toHim.  - P154

Yet, like the disciples, we can call out to the Lord and expect that Hecan save us from any situation. He is sovereign over all, even down to thesmallest detail of our lives. In any storm, we can call out to Him in faiththat He can save us. - P154

Jesus heals two men of demon possession, but the townspeople ask Himto leave. They experience a miracle, but they are afraid of Jesus, and theycare more about the loss of the whole herd of pigs than having a powerfulmiracle worker in their midst.  - P154

Many today likewise recognize that God ispowerful, but they will avoid or even reject Him when they feel that theircomfort is threatened. God freely invites all to come to Him, but many willnot receive His salvation because they idolize their own comfort.  - P154

May wenot allow our comfort to prevent us from appreciating our salvation, andthat may we pray that others would do the same. - P154

Dear God, I choose to trust in You no matter what storms I may face. When circumstances are uncomfortable, help me to remember that You are in control and that You have already shown how much You care for me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P154