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If this is the first page you clicked on check back to the first day of the ninety-two day chronological reading plan of the New Testament. "DAY ONE" If you want the whole plan day by day and not wait find it here at Shalom in the wilderness.

Day Sixteen: Matthew 9--10

To continue the discussion a little further about discipleship and what it takes to become like one who drops everything in the name of Jesus. We see in Matthew 9 that Jesus sends out his disciples with authority to expel demons and heal in his name. This is an unhealthy world and many are sick and spiritually dead. Jesus came in the world to heal us from worldly sickness and death. If the world didn't need peace and healing then there would be no purpose for him to have come. Since we are sick, other words, sinful we need mercy through his sacrifice in order to receive the grace of forgiveness. He came and was the only needed sacrifice the whole time. If you notice you do not really hear much if any about sacrifice and calling to sacrifice after he died on the cross. Funny how the old testament is only about atonement for sins through blood of animals but Jesus came and his blood surpasses all of the blood ever spilled out and is pleasing to his father to cover the multitude. If we all lived righteously then we wouldn't need his mercy.

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Jesus heals all types of people and even those who were possessed by evil spirits knew and confessed his name. It is truly a miracle what faith did to heal through him and how we defeat the enemy with his name. He gives the blind sight, the crippled and lame the ability to walk again, transforms the unclean to clean, makes the sick well, and brings the dead into life. With the story of the blind man for the days first chapter reading, they were asked if they believed before Jesus performed the miracle in restoring their vision. Since they had faith in the unseen, literally, they were immediately healed. The sad thing about this story is that it reflects our rebellious and disobedient nature as humans. (making choices in the flesh and not in spirit) Jesus told these men not to spread the news, and since he was being hunted down and sought out, he needed to be able to travel in peace in order to teach those willing to learn. Also we see that he restores a mute mans voice that he may speak again. Once again the good old pharisees question his spirit and claim that his authority is from the enemy. These two accounts of healing the blind and the mute show acts of faith on all parties because they trusted that Jesus would heal them and received his healing.

28 When 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. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";  

So many people are called to do the work of the lord in order to prepare people for the upcoming harvest. The end is nearer then we think, I can feel it with in me that I will see the day he comes from the clouds before I my flesh dies on earth. No one knows the season but we are called to keep watch at all times and sow seeds everywhere so that they may grow into fruitful harvest. There is always room for workers. I do not think I received this verse until now because I never thought I would be typing readings and sharing spiritual posts of encouragement. I reserved myself for so long because of fear of judgement. It wasn't until I had to drop my yoke and pick of my heavenly master's that I really could open myself into a new season of writing. It never stops there because once we are fruitful we instantly have the desire to multiple.

37 Then 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."

In chapter 10 we see that Jesus directs the disciples to go out and fulfill their purpose as to what they were preparing for the whole time being by his side hearing the messages of heaven. He set them apart to do the will of his father and gave them the authority of the Holy Spirit to preach to word. Jesus also advised that they should not take anything with them which shows that the disciples would need a whole lot of trust and faith that all that they would need will be provided. Pretty much all that they took was the clothes on their back and they would be seeking out trust worthy houses to lay their head to rest.

6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 

I think the next scripture is interesting because you never know what you are walking into when you are welcomed in a home of somebody. They may be completely judgmental and undeserving to have company at all. They may not even receive or even listen to you with peace. In this case we are able to dust off our feet outside the door and leave the house or even town which is not welcoming.

 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 

Even if people are hateful towards you or try to be manipulative or clever it is important that we are able to discern that. At all times while this negativity flows over we need to hold composure of anger and be wise and gentle with them. That can be hard sometimes when someone who is ignorant to understanding or seeking the truth then we can get mentally frustrated. I know I have shown my inward frustration before not really thinking too much into it. To remain innocent should we we not be gentle?

16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 

The disciples are promised that if they are arrested that they will be provided the words to speak and would not worry. This is so cool and wish I could always do that. :) The Lord gives us the words we need at the moment we need them through the Holy Spirit.

20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  

People will judge us and test us but living in the spirit we should not worry and fear these people since it is the enemy acting through them. They may be able to kill our flesh but surely they will have no power over our souls. We are here to obey our father in heaven and him only should be obey and fear judgment by.

26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  

We need to acknowledge Jesus if we hope to be known by him in our time of need. If we deny him then there is no reason he should accept us and know us in the kingdom of heaven. If we do not repent and confess his name in the world then why would we think he will open the door to us when we knock?

32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.  

It can be difficult to know what cross we are supposed to take up, it is he yoke and his cross which is light. He calls us to be workers and follow him in his teachings. Minister to children and to animals, be compassionate on our neighbors and our widows, follow the will and laws of his father, as well as obey authority in the land we live. Although the teaching seems complicated the concepts are not difficult. It can all be summed up in a few principles resist evil, obey authority and shower the world with love.

38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."