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.
God will provide for these missionaries. We know that the twelve went out and followed Jesus general command not to take anything with them. But is this prescripted for us today? Should we go from town to town in pairs and not take anything with us? Maybe we should.
First, A prophet is only without honor in his hometown. So doesn't make sense that I shouldn't minister to my neighbor. But if I bring someone from someplace else, maybe they will listen to that person. We send people into different cultures and different regions with the thought that they will melt into that area, and bring the bold confession of faith. This is what our community needs not me, speaking to the person I have daily interactions with, right?
Second, Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. These are Israelites, who grew up as Israelites. So we raise up ministers from a culture and language group so that they will be able to better relate to the people. These twelve know more about Israelites than Samaritans. They have their views of those saltwater states skewed by their midwestern roots. They need local people to better make connections.
Maybe we shouldn't be so quick to shake our dust off our shoes at our neighbor. Maybe we shouldn't be so grudging to take a trip to a different part of the country or world. Maybe God can provide for you as a missionary. God will use the means of his church. God will even use the means of the people you go to meet and greet.
Just remember God is using you to bring people to himself. Whether you go or stay, God has called you to be light. He has placed the Light of Christ inside you. He has provided you with the Holy Spirit who will speak his words when they are needed. Trust and Obey, there is no other way.
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