Our paragraph topic is: (Instructions to the Twelve) Part 1.
The twelve disciples have been chosen and are being prepared to go forth into the villages and towns. Christ has to give them final instructions on what they are to do. He first instructs them as to where they are to go. Christ tells them not to go in the directions of the Gentiles. He tells them that they are not to enter the towns of the Samaritans. As their first journey without him they are to go only to locations where the lost sheep of the house of Israel reside. They are to be the first to hear about the good news. The lost sheep are to be the first to be lead back into the fold of Christ. The lost sheep of Israel are to be the first to hear that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The lost sheep of the tribe of Israel had strayed. They had fallen away from the practices handed down by Moses. They had forgotten the promises made by Jehovah to the people of Israel in the desert. They had turned away from the one true God and had accepted false gods to worship. They were the chosen people of God. They were the beloved of God. They were the special ones who would be the first to have the opportunity to accept the teachings of the Messiah.
Christ was not prejudice to the gentiles. Christ was not prejudice against the Samaritans. Christ decided to bring back, first, the lost ones who knew about his father. He decided to offer to those who had an existing relationship with God the opportunity to turn back to their God and to be welcomed back into the kingdom of heaven. These lost sheep would be the ones who could become disciples also. These lost sheep of Israel would become easy converts and true believers in the mission of Christ.
The lost sheep had that opportunity. They were the first to hear about the kingdom of heaven. They were the first to accept or reject the Messiah and his teachings. Christ offers still today the message to the lost sheep. He offers the opportunity to accept his teachings. He offers the opportunity to believe in his mission. He offers the opportunity to be washed in his blood. He offers the opportunity to partake of his spirit. He offers the opportunity to be baptized into a new life in him. Will you accept the new life being offered by Christ? Will you accept the kingdom of heaven that was preached by the disciples? Christ is calling you, today.
The twelve disciples have been chosen and are being prepared to go forth into the villages and towns. Christ has to give them final instructions on what they are to do. He first instructs them as to where they are to go. Christ tells them not to go in the directions of the Gentiles. He tells them that they are not to enter the towns of the Samaritans. As their first journey without him they are to go only to locations where the lost sheep of the house of Israel reside. They are to be the first to hear about the good news. The lost sheep are to be the first to be lead back into the fold of Christ. The lost sheep of Israel are to be the first to hear that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The lost sheep of the tribe of Israel had strayed. They had fallen away from the practices handed down by Moses. They had forgotten the promises made by Jehovah to the people of Israel in the desert. They had turned away from the one true God and had accepted false gods to worship. They were the chosen people of God. They were the beloved of God. They were the special ones who would be the first to have the opportunity to accept the teachings of the Messiah.
Christ was not prejudice to the gentiles. Christ was not prejudice against the Samaritans. Christ decided to bring back, first, the lost ones who knew about his father. He decided to offer to those who had an existing relationship with God the opportunity to turn back to their God and to be welcomed back into the kingdom of heaven. These lost sheep would be the ones who could become disciples also. These lost sheep of Israel would become easy converts and true believers in the mission of Christ.
The lost sheep had that opportunity. They were the first to hear about the kingdom of heaven. They were the first to accept or reject the Messiah and his teachings. Christ offers still today the message to the lost sheep. He offers the opportunity to accept his teachings. He offers the opportunity to believe in his mission. He offers the opportunity to be washed in his blood. He offers the opportunity to partake of his spirit. He offers the opportunity to be baptized into a new life in him. Will you accept the new life being offered by Christ? Will you accept the kingdom of heaven that was preached by the disciples? Christ is calling you, today.
