Matthew 10:7-10 - “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heavenhas come near.’Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. ‘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 the worker is worth his keep.’”

“Up until this moment, Jesus’ disciples have been passengers in the car, and he’s been doing the driving. They have been astonished at what they’ve seen, but he’s made all the decisions, handled all the tricky moments, steered them through the towns and villages, taken the criticisms, and come out in front. Now he’s telling them to go off and do it themselves…the Twelve were not just to be a sign that God was restoring Israel; they were to be part of the means by which he was doing so.

“…It doesn’t look like the kind of movements and missions Jesus’ contemporaries were used to. They aren’t to swagger around giving it out that they are the chosen servants of the coming king. They are to be healers, restorers, people who will bring life and hope to others, not grand status to themselves. They are to be scrupulous about avoiding any suggestion that they are on the make, out for money. They mustn’t even take cash or provisions with them, or carry the sort of bag that beggars would normally have. They must expect that those who hear and receive their message will feed them; but the gospel itself, the all-important message, is free” (N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone).

What are some more specific things you received freely from him? Are you trying to earn it now? Is your giving to others free? Today let’s spend time praising and thanking God for his salvation/relationship that we received freely in Jesus Christ. Let’s also pray for our churches that we will live in this kingdom reality more: receiving the gospel freely from our Lord and freely giving to others what we have received.

-AP