Jesus Asked Us To Go and Tell His Message

By Mary Vee
Matthew 10

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple, a follower of Jesus. I and the other disciples have listened to Jesus teach for a while and have learned a lot from Him. 

Jesus spoke to the twelve of us, whom He called His closest disciples, away from the crowds many times. He taught us deep truths, their meanings, and today, He gave us warnings. 

The warnings are to prepare us for when we go out and share Jesus' teachings. Here is what He told us today: 

"Those who stand up for me and my teachings I will stand up for to my heavenly Father. Those who are embarrassed or don't stand up for me to others, I will do the same before my heavenly Father.

"If you think I came to bring peace, you're wrong. I came with a sharp sword to divide 
a man against his father
a daughter against her mother
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household

"Those who love anyone or anything more than me have nothing to do with me. Give up everything that holds your attention. Focus your thoughts and actions on me. 

"When you go out and teach people, there will be those who will accept you. Those who accept you, accept me, the One who has sent you. Those who accept Me, accept the Father who has sent Me.

"Anyone who accepts the words of a messenger of God will receive the same reward as the messenger."


And with those last words of instruction, Jesus sent us on our way. Jesus took on the same assignment as we twelve disciples: go to the towns in Israel. Teach and preach the gospel and heal people in the name of Jesus.

This was our chance to remember and show what Jesus taught us. As the days went by, the job became easier. The disciple who went with me and I figured out a system and traded duties. 

When I first listened to Jesus I was interested in learning. I didn't think I would become one who would teach others His message. But here I am. And I find I truly enjoy this work.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

Nasty Sea Storms and Ships

By Mary Vee
Matthew 8

From Matthew's Journal 

On the Sea of Galilee where Peter, Andrew, and others fished.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Matthew, I am a follower of Jesus. I have recorded some of what I witnessed in this post. 

I and other of Jesus's disciples are on board a boat sailing across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is also on board. To our left and right, there are other boats sailing with us.

Because of the mountains around this sea, storms can rise quickly and with no notice. When they do, the cool waters fuel the winds, causing the storm to build and rifling tall waves that threaten to overtake the boat. 

Birds circle with the winds, screeching as they fly away from the storm.

The sky darkens. A furious squall appears.

Waves break over the boat, soaking our clothes and chilling us to the bone. 

Water pools inside the boat, rising quickly, threatening to sink the ship. We are absolutely terrified.

Jesus has fallen asleep on a cushion in the stern, (the back of the boat). 

I run to him and shake his shoulder until he wakes. When his eyes open I say, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He has to have known the trouble we are in.

Jesus sits up then stands. He looks out at the wind and says "Quiet!" He looks at the waves and says, "Be still!"

Just like that--the wind dies down as if it had never been stirred.

It took a few minutes for my heart and breath to settle down.

Jesus turns to us and says, "Why are you so afraid?"

It was a fair question. We should have been afraid, not with Him on board, but we are.

He says, "Don't you have any faith?"

We look at each other. Ashamed. Puzzled. Mystified. Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him. 




If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section.


Next time I will write about amazing miracles performed by Jesus.

 Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.