Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
“Without cost you have received. Without cost you have to give”. This line struck me because it resonates with my belief that giving that comes from gratitude is far better than giving that comes from some fear of retribution or loss of salvation. And giving that comes from gratitude carries no cost for the giver. It is as if the cost had been paid already so the giving is unconditional and has no scope for resentment because the receiver fails to respond appropriately. Christ can see that there are many out there who need to be introduced to the kingdom. He anoints his disciples to “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons”. Rather than taking that literally, I take it to mean he empowers disciples with the power to transform.
ReplyDeleteI think your response to Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8 is thoughtful and insightful. You've identified a key theme of the passage - the importance of giving freely and generously - and connected it to your own personal beliefs about gratitude and motivation.
ReplyDeleteHere are some specific aspects of your response that I particularly appreciate:
Your connection to the concept of cost-free giving: The idea that true giving doesn't come with a hidden agenda or expectation of reward resonates with the essence of the passage. Giving from a place of gratitude is selfless and unconditional, creating a positive cycle of generosity and compassion.
Your interpretation of "cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons" as metaphorical empowerment: This interpretation highlights the broader message of transformation and spiritual healing. The disciples are not just equipped with physical powers but also with the ability to uplift and empower others.
Your emphasis on the need to introduce people to the kingdom: This aligns with Christ's mission to spread his message of love and salvation. The disciples are entrusted with the responsibility of sharing this message with the world, helping others find their way to the kingdom.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful interpretation of the passage and connects it to broader themes of faith, generosity, and transformation. It encourages us to reflect on our own motivations for giving and consider how we can best utilize our resources and talents to serve others and contribute to the building of the kingdom.