the mission of the twelve

from pray-as-you-go this week… (best when listened to on the app)

July 9, 2025

Matthew 10:1-7

“Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as 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 Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

In this passage we are given the names of some of Jesus’s closest followers. Some are well-known to us, others hardly at all. What would it be like to hear your own name included in that list?

The apostles are told to spread the good news of the gospel. They are also given the authority to do so. If you see yourself as in some way called to spread the good news of the gospel, what might it mean for you to be given authority to do so in the same way?

“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” You can only give others that message if you have first heard it yourself. What convinces you that the kingdom has indeed come near?

Notice, as the passage is read again, that Jesus chooses exactly who to send his apostles to. Who might you be sent to with this good news?

You might like to finish this prayer by speaking to Jesus about your own sense of being called and sent.

July 10, 2025

Matthew 10:7-15

“As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.”

This passage reflects the specific ways in which first-century apostles were to carry out their mission. In what ways is spreading the gospel today the same? In what ways is it different?

“You received without payment.” You didn’t pay to become a Christian, or to know God. What difference does this make to your response to all that God calls you to?

The passage assumes that an apostle will bring a sense of peace that will share itself with a worthy house. Can you recall times when you have been able to bring peace to others, or they have brought peace to you?

Listen again to the ways in which Jesus wants his followers to act, and notice what most strikes you about them.

Speak, finally to Jesus about how far (or not) you see your own life reflected in this passage.