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| HOUSE OF MICHAEL - PATHWALK LIGHTING December 09, 2023 |
"Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
MATTHEW 10:8
The Lord calls us to action, encouraging us to use our gifts and talents to help others without expecting anything in return. Giving freely is often associated with generosity, kindness, and charity. "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7). Remember, helping others is not about receiving anything in return. It is a matter of personal choice and attitude, not obligation or duty. It’s about making a positive impact on someone’s life and making the world a better place and inspiring others to do the same.
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. (Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5, 6-8)
Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised guidance and protection if the people of Israel would trust in Him and obey His commands. God tells them which direction to go, whether to the right or to the left. It also implies that there is only one way that God approves of, and that they should follow it without hesitation or deviation. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life, and that His followers should walk in His footsteps and obey His teachings. This is a reminder of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, and as an encouragement to seek His will and direction in their lives.
Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; he will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, and the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your flock will be given pasture and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows; the oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, the light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days. On the day the Lord binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows. (Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26)
God supports and helps those who are humble, poor, or oppressed. His grace and mercy are upon the needy and the downtrodden. Even when we are feeling lost or alone, God is there to comfort us and help us heal. Whether we are dealing with physical or emotional pain, God is always there to help us through it.
Praise the Lord, for he is good; sing praise to our God, for he is gracious; it is fitting to praise him. The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; the dispersed of Israel he gathers. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; to his wisdom there is no limit. The Lord sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the ground. (Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)
God reveals His character and His love for us. God’s grace is His undeserved favor abundantly poured out on those who desperately need Him. He doesn’t count peoples’ successes and failures to determine who receives His love or life. Instead, from the kind intention of His will, God gives all goodness freely.
Pericope:
III. Ministry and Mission in Galillee
COMPASSION OF JESUS / MISSION / COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE
Matthew 9:35-38/1-5/5-15
V: The Lord alone, Israel's and Judah's Salvation
FUTURE ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT
Isaiah 30:1-22
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
GOD'S WORD RESTORES JERUSALEM
Psalm 147:1-20
Reflection Source:
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