Freely you have received, freely give

Freely you have received, freely give

Scripture:

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Israel As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Observation: Matthew 10:5-8

Observation:

The twelve have been appointed, and now the Lord sends them out with specific instructions. Firstly, they are to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. There would be a time later during the missionary journeys of Paul when the gospel would be brought specially to the Gentiles. However, just as Israel was called out first to be God’s light to the Gentiles, now they too are privileged to receive the good news of salvation first, before the Gentiles.

As the disciples went, they were to proclaim the message “the kingdom of heaven has come near”. What is the significance of this message? In other parts of Scripture, Jesus preaches “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”. In today’s terms, it would be like telling people on the street, “repent, judgment day is coming soon”. It was like a wake up call for the Jews to stop doing evil things, but focus on being right with God. The message today for us is the same. We might be indulging in sinful activities, or pursuing basically a selfish life without thought for God. The call is for us, stop, get back to God, get right with the Lord, seek Him and seek to follow His ways. His coming is near.

Then, Jesus gave the disciples four specific tasks as they proclaimed the message – healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing those with leprosy and driving out demons. Today, with medical advance, leprosy is no longer an incurable disease. However, in those day, leprosy was the most terrible of diseases. Lepers would lose their nerves and become terribly disfigured, and because leprosy was contagious, they were forced to live as outcasts away from the community and shout “unclean, unclean” wherever they went. To receive healing from leprosy was such a great and wonderful thing, it would have been almost as high profile as the raising of the dead. That was probably why Jesus classified the cleansing of leprosy separately from healing of the sick. In today’s church, especially in Pentecostal congregations, the ministries of healing of the sick and driving out of demons are powerful and active. However, instances of raising of the dead, are much less frequent, although cases are heard of this happening in different countries, especially the less developed nations. In one case in Africa, a pastor prayed for 3 days over a corpse before the lady came back to life. For those with great faith, anything is possible, and the raising of the dead is something we have been given authority to do in Jesus name.

The Lord then says “Freely you have received, freely give”. Just as the power to heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead have been freely given to the disciples, they are to administer this power freely, without condition or expectation of reward. Ministry is to be given freely, and the practice is the same today where ministers of God freely pray for the sick and cast out demons. The term “freely” also implies that ministry is to be given generously to all, regardless of race, religion, gender, status or occupation.

Application:

Meditate on the words “the kingdom of Heaven is near”. What is the implication for me personally? Resolve to set your heart right with the Lord today, seeking to turn away from evil and know and serve Jesus as His humble servant and disciple. Praise the Lord that He has given us authority to heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. Pray for wisdom and faith on when to use this authority at the right time according to God’s will. Remember that whatever ministry in which we serve the Lord, we are to serve freely, just as we have freely received. Ask the Lord to help us give freely and generously in His service.

Prayer:

We praise You, O Lord, Father in Heaven, for You hold all time in Your hands. Even now, You move history along, as the time of Jesus’ second coming draws near. I entrust my heart to You this day, O Lord. Forgive my sins, set my heart to do what is right and true in Your eyes. I thank You, Lord, for the authority You have given me to heal the sick, to cast out demons and to raise the dead. Grant me Your wisdom and timing to know the right time and place to exercise this authority when I am called upon. Let my heart be free before You, that I might trust completely in You and give freely in Your service. May Your name be praised O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen