Sunday: Shortage of Workers — Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 6:6
Jesus reiterated the purpose of the church in this passage. His mission on earth was to bring good news and true sight, heal hearts, and set free those who’d been bruised and imprisoned by life’s trials and temptations. This is a universal call to all believers, and all believers need to participate, because there is so much need. He compares the souls ready to find Him to a farmer’s crop ready to be harvested. His disciples are the workers, the laborers, who need to go out into the field and pick the harvest.
Monday: Commissioning the Twelve — Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-5
The preparation of the twelve disciples being sent as God’s emissaries began when they were first called to be disciples in Mark 1. Now, as Jesus prepared to leave them, He gave them the authority to continue the work He began. He also granted them authority to exercise that power (the staff represented “authority”). They were to take the bare essentials. That way they wouldn’t be encumbered—there was much walking to do. Additionally, all would recognize that the disciples’ power was from God, not the “things” they had brought with them. They had no sound systems, no light displays, and no computers. By the Spirit of God, they preached His kingdom, and turned their world upside down.
Tuesday: Encouraging His Disciples — Matthew 10:16-33
In this passage, Jesus encouraged His disciples by providing guidelines to help them discern and respond wisely to trials that were sure to come their way. He cautioned them that their mission had inherent dangers and there would be circumstances that they would encounter that would put their very lives in peril. But He consoled them that God, who knows the very number of hairs on their head, would be watching and caring for them. God would never forsake them. We can claim this same promise today!
Wednesday: The Cost of Following Jesus — Matthew 10:34-42
Jesus’ followers were confronted with the same conflicts Jesus faced. Jesus said this is because He brings a sword to our relationships. It’s a sword of separation, of truth, of authority, of judgment, of correction, and of victory. Simeon even mentioned the power of the sword that Jesus brings, when he said that Mary would have her heart cut by it.
Thursday: Workers Go Forth & Return — Matthew 11:1; Mark 6:12-13, 30-32; Luke 9:6, 10
Although bypassed by Matthew’s writings, Mark and Luke relate the details that the disciples began to do exactly what Jesus had asked of them. They went through the cities and villages ministering to the needs of the people, then returned and reported to Jesus about all they had done. What did Jesus do? He took them away to a quiet place. There is a time for ministry, but the need is so great there is no end to it. Renewal and refreshing are essential.
Friday: A Mistaken Identity — Matthew 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9
Herod had feared John the Baptist, because John was holy and just. To appease his family, he had John beheaded. John had been a thorn to Herod, accusing him of participating in specific sins and called him to repent of them. Herod thought he had completely rid himself of John. But when Herod heard of the miracles being done among the people, his guilty conscience immediately concluded that John had come back to life.
Saturday: John the Baptist Beheaded — Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29
There is an underlying message to the overt training Jesus was giving the disciples. Jesus’ main proclamation was that of repentance. Now Jesus is calling them to go out and bring the people to repentance, as well. This was also John the Baptist’s message. He accused Herod of immorality and called Herod to repent, at a high cost to his own life.