Key Thought

What an interesting, amazing, and strange group to choose if your goal is to forever change the world! But there they are. A dozen men who, because of Jesus' life and resurrection and the power of the Spirit, forever changed the history of our planet. We have such a great temptation to revere these men because of the good they did. While we must be appreciative of those who were faithful and paid the ultimate price for their discipleship, we must also realize that the glory of their service is found in their Master, not in that they were the Master's servants. What makes them special is that Jesus called them and gave them authority to do great works to bless others. I wonder what he wants to do with us? I wonder what role he wants us to play in his great work of redemption?

Today's Prayer

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O gracious God and Father, give me the heart to follow Jesus, the faith to expect his great works to be done through me, and the humility to give him all the glory for what happens that is good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When Jesus was leaving there, two blind men followed him. The blind men said loudly, "Show kindness to us, Son of David. " Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. Jesus asked the men, "Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?" The blind men answered, "Yes, Lord, we believe." Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "You believe that I can make you see again, so this will happen." Then the men were able to see again. Jesus warned them very strongly. Jesus said, "Don't tell any person about this." But the blind men left and spread the news about Jesus all around that area. When the two men were leaving, some people brought another man to Jesus. This man could not talk because he had a demon inside him. Jesus forced the demon to leave the man. Then the man that couldn't talk was able to speak. The people were amazed and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "The leader of demons (the devil) is the one that gives him (Jesus) power to force demons out." Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. Jesus taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about the kingdom. And Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them. Jesus felt sorry for the people because the people were worried and helpless. The people were like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. Jesus said to his followers, "There are many, many people to harvest (save). But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest (people). Pray to him that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest." Jesus called his twelve followers together. Jesus gave them power over evil spirits. Jesus gave them power to heal every kind of disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles : Simon (also 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. Judas is the one that gave Jesus to his enemies.

— Matthew 9:27-10:4 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.