Matthew the apostle shared how, “the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat”, and in chapter ten and verse eleven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy” where we read:
And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter,
inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till you go there.
The verse reads, “And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and into whatsoever city” which means “and in any particular abode, dwelling place or habitation” “or town” which refers to “or common sleeping place to which laborers in the field return” “you shall enter” or “the apostles were to go into and make entrance”. Matthew shared how Jesus gave direction to His “apostles” toward any “city or town” in which they entered.
The verse continues, “... inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till you go from there.” Matthew added the word, “inquire” which means “search out, examine strictly and test” “who in it” or “what person within the city or town” “is worthy” which means “has weight, is befitting, merits, corresponds and is meet and due”; “and there abide” or “and in that person's house abide, continue and endure” “till you go from there” which means “until the apostles depart, leave or proceed from that place”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His “apostles” to “ask” what person within the city or town “merited” them staying within their home, and once they knew, they were not to “depart” from that home until they left that place.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus made provision for the “shelter” of His “apostles”. God was to be their “shelter”, and when they “inquired” as to who “merited” them staying in their home while they ministered, they would discover someone was already put in place. God goes before His people, and He is ready and able to supply all they need for “shelter” and provision. He desires to have this type of relationship with every person, and those who put their “faith and trust” in His Son Jesus, shall be known as His children for whom He constantly supplies their needs.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples to, “let your peace come upon” the “worthy house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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