by David Smith What we have come to know as “The Great Commission” (Matt.28:18-20) has rightfully received a great deal of attention through the years, but the prototype for the “Great Commission” was the apostles’ original commission, “The Limited Comission” (Matt.10:1-42). Yet it is in the record of “The Limited Commission” that we’re given much more detail as to what the apostles’ mission was to look like. And as we, the church built on the foundation of Christ and his apostles, overhear the words of this comission we’re enabled to pick up valuable priniciples for the execution of the mission God has given to each of us today. So today’s devotional is quite simple. Reproduced below is the entire text of “The Limited Commission” (Matthew 10). However, as we work our way through the reading, you’ll find that I’ve followed each thought segment of the text with a priniciple (marked by an * symbol) I believe we can glean from the reading of that text. I believe they are principles still very much applicable to how we live our lives as disciples today before a world of people yet to believe. So let me encourage you to make today’s devotional an exercise. Here’s how – as you read each segment and principle, pause and offer a very brief prayer over how these words can be worked out in your own life. Think of the prinicples as “prayer points” for your life today. So here we go. Let’s listen, reflect and pray . . . “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (vs.1) * Jesus will provide you with whatever it takes to do his will. “These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (vs.2-4) * You are as unique as, and yet known by, your name to Jesus. “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. (vs.5-6) * Jesus will send you wherever he wants you to go. Be willing to go there. “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (vs.7) * The message Jesus has given you is simple, challenging and strong. Proclaim it so. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (vs.8) * Jesus expects you to be totally open-handed with whatever he has enabled you. “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for workers are worth their keep. (vs.9-10) * Jesus expects you to live simply for his simple message must not be obscured by a life weighed down with “stuff.” “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at that person’s house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. (vs.11) * Jesus sees your building relationships with people as an integral part of your mission of sharing his message. Share your life as you share his message. “If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. (vs.12-15) * Jesus doesn’t expect you to overcome all resistance to the message you share and live. He does expect you to not waste your time with people who show themselves to be unreceptive. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (vs.16-20) * Jesus knows it betters than you know it – you will often be mistreated by the world simply because you now belong to him. So be wise – refuse to worry and place your trust in your Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (vs.21-23) * Be reminded that Jesus does not ask you to fight the world, though the world will at times will fiercely fight against you. Your task is to remain a witness to Jesus, quite literally, come what may. “Students are not above their teacher, nor servants above their master. It is enough for students to be like their teacher, and servants like their master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! (vs.24-25) * Your master, Jesus, was greatly misunderstood. Take it as a compliment then when you are misunderstood and misrepresented for doing the right thing. Do not be discouraged or disheartened when others malign or mock you because of your faith. In those moments you can be one with Jesus more so than at any other time. “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (vs.26-31) * Jesus was fearless because he knew how his Father cared for him. Never forget – you and Jesus share the same Father. “Whoever publicly acknowledges me I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever publicly disowns me I will disown before my Father in heaven. (vs.32-33) * Hold onto Jesus here and now and he will hold onto you forever. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law- your enemies will be the members of your own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Those who do not take up their cross and follow me are not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (vs.34-39) * Jesus precisely knows the price you may have to pay for remaining his. Even the ones you love the most may come hate you, desert you or betray you. But as great as the price may be, he is worth far more, for his love for you is greater and he will not hate you, desert you or betray you. Your real family is not with those with whom you share blood, but with those whom you share Jesus’ blood. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes someone known to be a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who welcomes someone known to be righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is known to be my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly be rewarded.” (vs.40-42) * You are the representation of Jesus to the world. As people interact with you and you with them, Jesus is met and shared. Ever let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you for eternal destinies hang in the balance in the midst of all the big and little things that make up life.