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The First Evangelists
This chapter is based on Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-6.
The apostles had accompanied Jesus on foot through Galilee.
They had walked and talked with the Son of God and learned how to
work for humanity. As Jesus ministered to the people, His disciples
were eager to lighten His work. They helped in bringing the suffering
ones to the Savior and promoting the comfort of all. They watched
for interested hearers and explained the Scriptures to them.
But they needed an experience in working alone. They still
needed much instruction and patience. Now, while He was person-
ally with them to counsel and correct them, the Savior sent them out
as His representatives.
The disciples had often been perplexed by the teaching of the
priests and Pharisees, but they had brought their questions to Jesus.
He had strengthened their confidence in God’s Word and to a great
degree had set them free from their slavery to tradition. When they
were apart from Him, every look and word came back to them.
Often when in conflict with enemies of the gospel, they repeated His
words.
Calling the Twelve around Him, Jesus told them to go out two by
two through the towns and villages. In this way, they could counsel
and pray together, each one’s strength making up for the other’s
weakness.
Evangelistic work would be far more successful if Christians
followed this example.
The disciples were not to argue with anyone about whether Jesus
was the Messiah; but in His name they were to “heal the sick, cleanse
the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received,
freely give.”
Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.
Wherever He went, the people who received His compassion were
rejoicing in health. His voice was the first sound that many had ever
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