5Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans,6but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.7Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out fdemons. Give as freely as you have received!Who did Jesus send his disciples to? He sent them to the people who should have know him, but didn’t. He sent them to their own brothers and sisters. He sent them first to the people from who the disciples came. God calls us all to go to those closest to us first. Do you show Jesus’ love to your spouse more or less than you show it to your neighbor? I can easily take those closest to me for granted. Now we all know that eventually these same disciples were called to go far beyond the people of Israel, but they started at home. We need to start there to.
And what did he call them to do? These were no small things. They were miracles. I don’t think I have the faith to work miracles like that. Maybe I should. I don’t know. I know I can reach out to the sick, and not be afraid of the leper. I know I can face evil if I want to. But the last line is the biggie. First it acknowledges that I have received what I didn’t deserve or earn. Then it calls me to give what I have as if it was free and cost me nothing! Think about it. Give your love and time and pain and joy and faith – give it away like you had oceans and oceans of each of them – because you do! Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
I read a wonderful article in a liturgy planning magazine I receive last night. The article was written by Glenn Byer and he explains the idea of grace. This post made me think of it. Let me share a few of his words with you: ” Grace, put simply, is the overabundant, overwhelming presence of God in our lives, given for reasons that seem so pitifully weak by comparison, or for no discernable reason at all. One word of faith from us and miracles happen, good and bad alike have the rain to fall, God all the while hoping that these gifts will help us grow into people of gratitude, people who know we have been graced. It is not just at Pentecost that God sends spiritual gifts, nor does God only shower grace upon us from above. Sure, it falls like rain, or tongues of flame, but it comes from below like grass beneath our feet or from all sides, like a cooling summer breeze.” I was touched by the image of God pouring out his grace onto us, just hoping we will recognize it and share it with others. Everything we have is a gift from God, and he is such a generous God. He wants us to be like Him…He held NOTHING back from us and wants us to hold nothing back from others! It is not always easy to do, but it brings so much peace and joy!!!!