Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash
In Matthew 10, we read of Jesus sending out the 12, giving them instructions as they go to share the good news of the Kingdom of God. Many of us in Mahabba might identify ourselves as having also responded to this call. But, as we reflected recently in a local Mahabba group prayer time, Jesus goes on to speak of the conflict and antagonism to the gospel news that will come. Only 3 verses in Matthew 10 (40-42) focus on the positive responses to the gospel message that will be shared. It’s as if Jesus is preparing His disciples for the challenges and struggles in the task He has given them. Again, perhaps Mahabbites may identify here.
But in these 3 small verses there are encouragements and reasons to persevere:
There appears to be blessing even for those who are open to receive us and engage with us if not wholly in our message.
The imperative is on us to both demonstrate and declare the good news of God’s coming to us, rather than on bringing in either harvest or fruit.
Jesus’ name of “little ones” given to His disciples echoes the humility with which we are to live and work. It’s God’s work into which we have been privileged to be invited.
Lest we be weary of doing good, elsewhere in the Bible God has an encouraging word for all who work to proclaim the good news :
my word that goes out from my mouth…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it - Isaiah 55:11
And so we can relax into the knowledge that at times there is secret growth of the mustard seed and the surprising growth of the yeast in the dough – both images to which Jesus referred as being like the Kingdom of God.
Miriam Williams Nov 2022