Matthew 10:8b–15 (ESV)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles (Part 2)
8 You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey,
or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter
the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your
words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
In yesterday’s reading, Matthew writes what they are to do (i.e. heal the sick, cast out the demons…). In today’s reading, Matthew states how they are
to do it. That is what travel agency they will be using. Well… or lack of… They are not to take any money with them, no rolling suitcases… or even a change of clothes. They will depend on others taking
care of them. They will stay at people’s houses and they will feed them. But woe to those who refuse them! The Lutheran Study Bibles states: “Jesus sends out 12 apostles and warns them that not everyone will receive them hospitably
or listen to their message. We who witness to Christ have the same experience. The Gospel is foolishness to many, “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, [it is] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1Co 1:24).”
I pray: O Lord, strengthen my determination to serve as Your ambassador of peace, even when I encounter opposition. Amen.