Matthew 9:35-10:23

The Matthew text for today contains three verses many of us will find familiar, chapter 9:37 (The harvest is plentiful...), 10:18b (Freely you have received...), and 10:16 (I am sending you out like sheep among wolves...).  When preparing this devotional I was trying to decide which one to develop.  But, it seems to me they are related and all about reaching out to those who do not know Jesus.

1. Matthew 9:37 reminds us there are so many who are lost and just roaming this world hopeless and empty.  We as believers are being asked or perhaps commanded to go into the field and work to harvest these souls.
2. Matthew 10:8b points out our salvation has been achieved by the mercy of Jesus, it was nothing we did to deserve forgiveness and receive Jesus' love.  We did not earn it but this gift was given for free.  It is up to us to share with everyone who will listen.
3. Matthew 10:16 find Jesus reminding the disciples they are like sheep among wolves when they enter the harvest fields. He tells them to be shrewd like a snake but innocent as a dove. 

When I first learned about having a personal relationship with Jesus, that is just what it was - personal.  I clung to it, kept it to myself and just enjoyed to new feelings of peace and safety.  Before long I wanted to share this with those around me.  Compare it to finding a good book and wanting to tell others so they to can enjoy it and maybe we talk about it together and enjoy it all over again.

I would never keep a good book to myself, why would I keep Jesus a secret?


To read the entire text for today click here.