Today our Annual Bible Reading Plan returns to our focus on “Everything Jesus commanded us”. Let’s dive back in to Matthew 10, where we left off on Friday 27 March.
Prayer
Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:113-114
Lord, You are my refuge and my shield.
I love Your life-giving law,
and I put my hope in Your precious word.
Amen.
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness to the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.
Reading
What better reason can there be to support those who labour in the mission of Christ’s Kingdom than Jesus’ words to His disciples as he sent them out on mission:
40 ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me.’
When someone is pursuing the Kingdom’s mission in obedience to the call of Jesus, the support, hospitality or simple acts of kindness we offer them are, by extension, being offered to Jesus Himself – because they are on His mission on His behalf.
The original disciples on their Matthew 10 mission had not yet received the Spirit of Jesus, so we could not say the following of them. But, because Christ dwells in His people by His Spirit today, when we welcome and show hospitality to a believer who comes to minister to us in His name, or when we support a missionary who goes to minister to others in His name, we are doing the same to Christ Himself, because He dwells in them.
And it does not even have to be complicated or costly support. It can be as simple as a warm bed, a drink of cold water, a letter of encouragement, or a small regular monetary donation. What we do for those who serve Him, we do for Him.
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will offer warm hospitality and joyful generosity to those who come to me in His Name.
- I will offer practical support and joyful generosity to those who go on mission to others in His Name.
Lord Jesus, I commit myself to be a person of warm welcome and joyful generosity today. Amen.
Dave's Diary 
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