When Jesus sent out His disciples, He sent them to do exactly what He had been doing. The list of things mentioned in 10:7-8 are identical to what is recorded of Jesus in chapters 4-9. His disciples saw Jesus "in action" and were called to imitate Him. The warning is somber, but certainly warranted. The things that awaited the disciples would be difficult, but in the face of that warning, Jesus reassures His apostles not to fear. He pointed them to the ever-watching care of the Father. This is a familiar theme we see played out time and again in the Scriptures and throughout the rest of history. God calls people to go and represent Him before people. Those who are sent are persecuted, yet God continues to watch over them and either deliver them miraculously or sustain them by infinite grace in just as miraculous fashion! What makes us think that it will be any different with us?!
In chapter 11, Jesus pronounces a woe to the unrepentant cities. These were places where Jesus had done incredible things, attesting His identification as Messiah, and yet they did not respond in repentance. Certainly, when such holy power is on display, repentance is in order. We should take care that such a lack of repentance is not present in our own hearts, for we have, as Peter says, a more sure word of prophecy in the record of the Scriptures that should call us to a lifestyle that is marked by repentance. I love the statement I heard years ago, "It's not just once saved always saved, but more than that it's once regenerated always repenting!"
I love the way chapter 11 closes - the invitation of Jesus to come to Him and find rest for our souls! To borrow from Jim Berg, the only way to quiet the noise that is in our souls is to come to Jesus. He is the source of true rest! Let's come to Him, not just once by faith for initial salvation, but continually for the rest and refreshment that our souls so desperately need!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment