Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.
Let us recognize our healer. Let us give thanks to the one from whom all blessings flow. Only when we know the source can we ourselves heed the call.
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
We are called to be agents through whom God heals the nations. Through us he wants to take all people in his arms and draw them with human cords, with bands of love. We have no ability to do this on our own. That is why grace is so important.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
We need to recognize all that God has freely given to us. Then we will be open to him using us to give to others. When we recognize the deeply miraculous things that he did and still does in our own souls we won't be shocked to see the sick cured and the dead raised. We learn to rely on Jesus and not on our own preparations, be they belts, sacks for the journey, second tunics, sandals or walking sticks. It isn't about what we can do because we don't have to earn it. We didn't earn it for ourselves and we don't have to earn it for others.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
This offer is not made where we shirk our duty. People remain anxious and fearful. Let us seek the places that are able to receive the peace of Christ. This is a great gift that Jesus offers the world through us. Because it isn't about us we are able to let go when someone can't receive what we're offering.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
We don't have to keep turning over arguments in our heads at that point. If we were faithful to what the LORD was asking we are free to move on.
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
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