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 into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till you go there. And when you come into an house, salute it”, and in chapter ten and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples about, “peace” upon a “worthy house” where we read:
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it:
but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
The verse reads, “And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: ...” Matthew began with the words, “and if” which means “and whether” “the house” which refers to “the dwelling place, abode or habitation” “be worthy” or “exist or may be befitting, congruous and merited”, “let your peace” which refers to “the disciple's tranquility, security, safety, prosperity and felicity”. Matthew shared how Jesus instructed His disciples to allow their “tranquility and security” to be upon a house determined to “merit” their dwelling therein.
The verse continues, “but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.” Matthew added the word, “but” which means “nonetheless, moreover and” “if it be not worthy” or “whether the dwelling place in which the disciple's stayed does not merit or exist as befitting”, “let” which means “allow and permit” “your peace” or “the disciple's tranquility, security, safety, prosperity and felicity” “return” which means “to come back again” “to you” or “to the disciples”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples if the house they were staying in did not “merit or was unfitting” for their stay, they were to have their “tranquility and security” come back to them again.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the ability given to the “apostles” to grant and retract their “peace” upon a house. They were not to make provisions for themselves and were to rely upon people's generosity for their shelter. If the provision given was a “worthy” house, the disciples were to “bless” it with their “peace”, however, if it was deemed an unworthy house, they were to retract their “blessing of tranquility”. Jesus is called, “the Prince of Peace”, and when people align with Him through “trust and faith” in His finished work upon the cross, they shall know “peace” that goes beyond understanding. Otherwise, whatever “tranquility and security” they have in their lives shall be found and deemed unreliable when the times of major crisis come. May all who read these words yield themselves to the One who is able to provide all the “peace” they shall ever need.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples to, “whosoever shall not receive you … shake off the dust of your feet”, 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
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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