Our paragraph topic is: (Instructions to the Twelve) Part 7.
Christ is finishing up his instructions to his disciples. After giving individual instructions he now has a general huddle to show his disciples what the game plan will be. Just as a general huddles with his captains and majors to discuss the overall plan of attack, so Christ tells his disciples what will happen. After they have gone through the villages and towns and spread the news of the kingdom of heaven, he shows them the results.
For those towns that have not availed themselves of the the message of love and hope, Christ has instructed his disciples to kick the dust from their feet. He has instructed his disciples to mark the towns that did not repent. He has given specific orders to set the mark for the coming destruction for that village or town. Just as an advance recon team marks an area for the coming fighter jets to lay down a path of destruction, Christ has done so with his disciples. He then tells his disciples of the coming destruction that will take place. He tells them that for those towns that do not accept the words of the disciples, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for these towns. For Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone poured down from heaven. But for these towns, they will see a worse punishment than what was given to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Christ is the Lord of the Battle. He is the commander-in-chief. The disciples are his generals who are practising for the battle to come. In this solo journey by the disciples, Christ gives them a taste of what is to come. He has prepared them with proper training. He has given them the challenge call. He has shown them how to find the one that is worthy and how to determine the spiritual wellness of a house or a town or a village. Kick the dust from your feet, he instructed them. Lay down a marker for the destruction of the wicked ones. The angel of destruction will come forth and destroy the towns and villages that are marked for destruction.
This is our wake up call today. Christ is giving us the opportunity to open our eyes and see. He is giving us the opportunity to hear the message of hope, the message of love, and the message peace. It is given freely to freely accept. The choice is yours. Know that the decision has consequences. Know that for those who are blessed with new life and the joy of the Holy Spirit, they will be saved. But for those who are cursed with the spirit of evil, the devil will continue to keep them blind and deaf. No one can make them see. No one can make them hear. The desire has to come from the heart. Christ will listen. Christ will wait. Christ will be patient up to the last minute. But our heavenly Father decides the day and time. And when that time comes, all will know who is Lord and Master. All will know who is the commander-in-chief. Take heed today. Heed the call. Come join the ranks of those who are saved before the battle begins. Will you suffer a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah in the time of judgment? Or will you rejoice in the grace and glory of God and of Jesus Christ? The choice is yours.
Christ is finishing up his instructions to his disciples. After giving individual instructions he now has a general huddle to show his disciples what the game plan will be. Just as a general huddles with his captains and majors to discuss the overall plan of attack, so Christ tells his disciples what will happen. After they have gone through the villages and towns and spread the news of the kingdom of heaven, he shows them the results.
For those towns that have not availed themselves of the the message of love and hope, Christ has instructed his disciples to kick the dust from their feet. He has instructed his disciples to mark the towns that did not repent. He has given specific orders to set the mark for the coming destruction for that village or town. Just as an advance recon team marks an area for the coming fighter jets to lay down a path of destruction, Christ has done so with his disciples. He then tells his disciples of the coming destruction that will take place. He tells them that for those towns that do not accept the words of the disciples, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for these towns. For Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone poured down from heaven. But for these towns, they will see a worse punishment than what was given to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Christ is the Lord of the Battle. He is the commander-in-chief. The disciples are his generals who are practising for the battle to come. In this solo journey by the disciples, Christ gives them a taste of what is to come. He has prepared them with proper training. He has given them the challenge call. He has shown them how to find the one that is worthy and how to determine the spiritual wellness of a house or a town or a village. Kick the dust from your feet, he instructed them. Lay down a marker for the destruction of the wicked ones. The angel of destruction will come forth and destroy the towns and villages that are marked for destruction.
This is our wake up call today. Christ is giving us the opportunity to open our eyes and see. He is giving us the opportunity to hear the message of hope, the message of love, and the message peace. It is given freely to freely accept. The choice is yours. Know that the decision has consequences. Know that for those who are blessed with new life and the joy of the Holy Spirit, they will be saved. But for those who are cursed with the spirit of evil, the devil will continue to keep them blind and deaf. No one can make them see. No one can make them hear. The desire has to come from the heart. Christ will listen. Christ will wait. Christ will be patient up to the last minute. But our heavenly Father decides the day and time. And when that time comes, all will know who is Lord and Master. All will know who is the commander-in-chief. Take heed today. Heed the call. Come join the ranks of those who are saved before the battle begins. Will you suffer a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah in the time of judgment? Or will you rejoice in the grace and glory of God and of Jesus Christ? The choice is yours.
