Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to work miracles. It's interesting that He called them. He did not ask for volunteers, and He did not try to force or coerce them in any way. He simply chose them and called them. Matthew tells us very little about these men, but we do know that they were ordinary people, not particularly well-educated or gifted. Jesus still calls ordinary people like us to serve Him today. Are we as willing as these men were to follow Jesus and do God's work? vv. 1-4
Jesus gave the disciples certain instructions as He sent them out. They were to go exclusively to the Jews. This does not mean that Gentiles (non Jews) could not be saved, but God's plan was to give the Good News about Jesus the Savior to the Jews first. Then after Jesus' death and resurrection, these Jewish converts were to go out into all the world and spread this Gospel, and this is exactly what they did! vv 5-8
These new disciples were to travel light and depend on the people to whom they would minister to feed, clothe, and house them along the way. "...for the worker is worth his keep." vv. 10-13
We see in vv. 14-16 that it's a serious mistake to reject the Word of God. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." It's possible that if a person is exposed to the truth and he rejects it, he may never get another chance. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, yet they didn't receive the clear message of salvation that the disciples preached. And so anyone who hears the Gospel message and rejects it surely has no excuse.
Psalm 95:1-5
How fitting that we come to this psalm of praise and thanksgiving right here during Thanksgiving week!
Robust and joyful praise and thanksgiving is surely and appropriate way to worship! Of course, it's also appropriate to worship sometimes in a quieter, more meditative attitude. But this particular psalm is exuberant, and that's catching! The psalmist sings, praises God, and thanks Him as the great God, the great King above all gods, as the creator and keeper of this world.
Let's mediate on these few beautiful verses:
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
and the mightiest mountains.
The sea belong to him, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land, too.
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