Reasons Not to Worry

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who’s also called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Don’t go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven’s come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you’ve received; freely give.

“Don’t take any gold or silver or copper with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker’s worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home’s deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it isn’t, let your peace return to you. If anyone won’t welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it’ll be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

“I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you’ll be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On my account you’ll be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you’ll be given what to say, for it won’t be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You’ll be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you’re persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you won’t finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Matthew