What Does A Missionary Do?

By Mary Vee
Matthew 11, Luke 10 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. By that I mean I am one of the close, twelve disciples. There are many many more followers of Jesus who are His disciples as well.

In my last post, I told the story of how Jesus had healed the ten lepers. Once the men left, Jesus called all his followers for a meeting. 

More than seventy huddled close to hear what Jesus had to say. 

"I have instructed you, teaching and showing you what My Father expects of His followers."

Jesus motioned to a group of men to separate from the others. It looked like seventy or seventy-two men. "You are to go in groups of two ahead of me into every town and place. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. Go. I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Don't take a wallet or suitcase or new shoes. Don't stop to chat with anyone on the road. Your journey cannot be delayed.

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. If the man is not peaceful, your peace will return to you. Stay in the house that first welcomes you. Eat and drink whatever they give you. This is your wage for your work. Don't go from house to house for lodging. Stay at the same home. 

"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick and tell them this message: 'The kingdom of God is near you.' 

"If you enter a town that does not treat you well, go into its streets and say, 'We wipe off the dust of your town that sticks to our feet. Know this, the kingdom of God is near.' 

"The town that treats you rudely will be punished more than Sodom. If the miracles performed in Korazin, Capernaum, and Bethsaida had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago. The people would have put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. Tyre and Sidon will have an easier time at the judgment than those cities who rejected me.

"Anyone who listens to your message listens to me. The one who rejects you rejects me. That person who rejects me rejects Him who sent me. Now go. Spread the message to everyone you see. Teach them what I have taught you."

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

  
Some days later the seventy-two disciples returned. They laughed and had so much to say! 

"Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." They seemed very proud of their work.

Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven."

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.