Matthew 11:1 states: “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee” (NIV).
Matthew states the early aspect of the mission of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 4:23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
Matthew repeated this mission, as recorded in Matthew 9:35: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Then as recorded in Matthew 10:7-8, Matthew tells how Jesus sent His twelve apostles to carry out the same mission. They were called and enabled to do what Jesus had been doing, which was teaching, preaching, and healing.
Now the instructions Jesus gave the apostles made it clear they were embarking on an adventure which would be filled with trouble. Jesus even said they would be hated (Matthew 10:22). Jesus even states their lives would be in danger! Yet He still encouraged them to carry out the mission: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:27-28).
Then after Jesus sends them on an epic adventure, what does He do? Jesus continues on with His mission, as is stated in Matthew 11:1. Jesus led by example.
Teaching and preaching about Jesus may not seem the wisest priority in this world, yet it is, being the most loving priority in this world, because people without Jesus are headed for the destruction which is the result of sin. Sin always has bad consequences, and the ultimate bad consequence is spiritual death. Yet Jesus, who is good, offers eternal life. The ultimate mission of Jesus: Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone. He was the atoning sacrifice for the consequence of sins. Then He was resurrected.
Jesus said: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). For those who receive Jesus, and thus are transformed, we gain the desire to acknowledge Jesus before people. We are grateful we have been forgiven of our sins and united with our loving God. And we want other people to receive the gift Jesus is offering to them so they will be saved and be headed to heaven like us. Heaven is offered by Jesus, the One who made the sacrifice on the cross. You can receive His gift today.
Hunter Irvine
