April 10, 2026:

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

(Matthew 10. 7,8)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Isn’t this the message for today’s world: “The kingdom of heaven has come near”? Do we fully understand what Jesus asked the disciples to preach and then turn into a practice among the lost sheep of Israel? The kingdom of heaven was not a “judgmental” state of reality. Far too many wanted the Messiah and the “kingdom of heaven” to be a disqualifying force of defeating the geo-political enemies of Israel and create submission of the whole world to Israel as God’s viceroy. How many people within the nation of Israel felt like they were the enemy in their own homeland? How many today are we seeing displaced from any promise of healing and restoration, salvation and reconciliation because they don’t fit the contemporary standard of “righteousness”? Jesus made it clear that “the kingdom of heaven drawing near” was defined by actions and not words. He did not come to deliver edicts but restorations. See what it means for the kingdom of heaven to come near:

Heal the sick (We assume a physical healing because in that day sickness was associated with unredeemed and unconfessed sin; amazing how spiritual reconciliation and a softening of the heart for the sick leads them into a place where physical healing may be healed or the struggle through the sickness is endured with faith, hope and love.);

Raise the dead (When Jesus gave this defining ministry, He had just restored the life of the daughter of the local synagogue leader. We have other incidences where Jesus brings life out of death, most significantly Lazarus. His story is different than the others. For the disciples, this act of faith had to be the most challenging but Jesus believed in them to do what seemed impossible, as if the other miracles were any less possible.);

Cleanse the leper: (Of course, a diagnosis of leprosy included a number of skin diseases but leprosy itself was evident as it devoured the body and caused the afflicted to hide themselves from even those of similar conditions with coverings over disfigurements. To cleanse a leper was on equal par with raising the dead (as Jesus would say, to stir them from a sleep). Lepers were walking dead (a precursor to “zombies”?). They were wrapped up as if they were bodies prepared for burial. Their homes were akin to ancient gravesites, holes in the cliffs and valleys to protect themselves from harm. For the lepers, unlike those who were dead, there was no hope for eternal life. When they were dead, they would be dead all over…and done.); and

Drive out demons: (Spiritual warfare was all important. It was being on the defense against false teachings and fake works. It was being on the offense against the literal forces of evil making themselves present as demons and vile spirits inhabiting living things to exert control over them until they surrendered their souls to the Devil (as he has no power to take them on his own.).

One last thing Jesus adds as a definer of “the kingdom of heaven draws near.” It is the reality of not withholding anything that would benefit, strengthen and build up others to reach the full measure and stature of living in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus gave them a blessing of His spirit to complete the task as well as His trust and belief in them. They are challenged to do the same without asking for anything in return. They were to walk by faith and not by sight. They were to “Trust in the Lord with all their heart, seeking first the kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness knowing that all that was needed would be provided.” And so should we as mighty men of God move through the world doing the good which Christ has called us to be and to do.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.