Faithfully carrying forward what Jesus began to do

Whom shall I send? (Isaiah 6:8)

Reading:

Matthew 10:1-15

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not” (Matthew 10:5).

Mark 6:7 says He began to do this — sounds like a new phase in their discipleship. In fact, check out Luke 10 and Acts 1:1,2 (at least).

They were not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Later He broadened the scope of their commission (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

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When acknowledging Jesus' wisdom and power is not enough (Mark 6:1-6)

My minister friend has been teaching the men’s Sunday School class in our church this month. He is to preach this Sunday morning and asked me to substitute for him. (No, not the preaching — the SS teaching.)

I haven’t made much headway yet in preparing for the class, but here are some of the preliminary notes I have so far. (Maybe taking the time to post them in this format will help cement them in my own mind in preparation to teach…and live.)

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him” (Mark 6:1).

Am I enough of a disciple to do what disciples do — follow the Master? For some reason, that reminds me of a little saying I saw recently:

“Rather than putting Christ back in Christmas, I’d settle for putting Christ back in Christians.”

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