Go There (Oct 12)

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions:  "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.  Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you go, preach this message. ' The kingdom of heaven is near.'"
                                     -Matthew 10:5-7 NIV

We might be a little perplexed over this restriction on the disciples ministry.  With a little thought, however, we remember God's plan that Israel, His chosen nation, His chosen people would bring the message of salvation to the world.  As a result, Jesus, in knowing God's will and plan, instructed the message to be given first to the Jews. 

It was only after the Jews clearly rejected the message of God given through Christ, that the message was broadened to the Samaritans and Gentiles. 

The failure of the Jewish nation to embrace God's message is not a failure of God's plan of salvation coming from the Jews, for the disciples were Jewish and also the apostle Paul, a pharisee, was Jewish.  Certainly chosen Jews brought the message of salvation to the world.

If we do not tell the story, who will?  If we do not tell the story, are we not being selfish?

How can one today bring the message of Jesus and God's plan of salvation to people today?

How do you bring the message of salvation through Christ to people today?

Pray for the Spirit to give you insight to tell the story in love to others, and for other's hearts and minds to be prepared to embrace the message of Christ as Savior.

In Christ,

David P