The Third Sunday of Easter (GA)

Matthew 10:5-25
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 10:5–25). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus sends out the twelve as sheep in the midst of wolves. He sends them out to take nothing with them. They are to travel throughout the land of Israel. They are to gather the sheep of Israel. But there are many wolves out there. Still today there are wolves within and without of the people of God. But I find it strange Jesus does not provide the same warning to his disciples at the end of the Gospel.

Go and make disciples of all nations, but watch out for there are ravenous wolves all over the place. There are people that will attack the teachings of Christ. There are people that will attack the truth of Scripture. There are people who will attack his words. Therefore, these Apostles must stand firm and faithful.

The Apostles were dragged before governors and officials. They were beaten and flogged. They brought their testimony with them. Even when St Paul faced the Governor he proclaimed his testimony. When St Peter and St John stood before the Sanhedrin they confessed the truth of Christ. We as well stand before the world and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Christ has died and Christ has Risen. He has done this for the forgiveness of your sins. Christ has placed this message upon our lips to proclaim it as well. You are forgiven all your sins. You have life eternal through Jesus Christ your Lord.