These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “…go rather to the lost sheep of…Israel. And proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons…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. 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.
Matthew 10:5-15
In our verses today, Jesus commissions His Disciples to missionary work to the Israelites only. This will be their first work for the Kingdom of God. In His commission, Jesus tells His Disciples that they will be able to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons…” Just as these same signs Jesus performed are a sign of the authenticity of Jesus being sent by God the Father, so, these same signs will authenticate that the Disciples are, also, sent by God. Such signs in His creation were given to Jesus and all His Apostles, including Paul later, to authenticate each of their ministries after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. Such signs are not given today because there are no Apostles in our day. However, miracles still occur today! God has NOT left His creation without demonstrating His attributes. Consider healings that seemingly occurred against all scientific knowledge or, blessings, beyond measure, that were given to God’s children or even, the 6-day war when Israel defeated its enemies who had overwhelming odds against them. Some of you may have experienced God’s miraculous work in your own life and work! But, as Christians, we must remember that Satan and his demons, though more powerful than any human but, not more powerful than God, try to duplicate “miracles” to dupe God’s children into believing his lies and destroy the Christians’ witness in this world. Scripture describes such evil “miracles” as “lying signs and wonders.” Satan and his demons will have a ”field day” during the Tribulation when, even, some of God’s elect may be deceived. As Christians, we must be in God’s Word constantly, in unified worship and, prayerfully seeking God’s guidance in our lives always. Christians gather each Sabbath (Sunday for Christians) to do just that and, the rest of the week, we must continue doing these things if we are not to be deceived. May God the Father bless you in your sanctification until the day of your glorification!
Source: S C Ball January 29, 2023
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