Freely give as you have freely received!
Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:5-8 NLT
Jesus is sending our his twelve disciples to share the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven with those who are confused and helpless. They are going out to do as they have seen their rabbi doing. The apprenticeship is going up a level!
Throughout this chapter Jesus gives various instructions, warnings, and promises. But his most pertinent command right now is in verse 8. You have freely received, so you ought to give freely. This predominantly speaks to money. They had not bought the good news of Jesus—therefore they should not be selling it! However, this is clear reminder of how liberally the love of God has been shared with these disciples. And here is an invitation for them to share it as generously as they have received it.
This is the model Jesus has demonstrated. His vertical, upward relationship with his father feeds and nourishes his soul. It sustains his life and ministry that we see here in the gospels. It enabled him to remain emotionally healthy, whole, and secure. He could be liberal with his time, his energy, his emotions, and his strength because he was being continuously filled by the love of his father.
And it is this model to which Jesus calls his disciples. They will be empowered by their relationship with him (more of that in later verses—they’ll be given wisdom, words, and worth) to do what he calls them to. And of course, in the early days of the church we see the Spirit of God sent down just as Jesus promised, empowering, emboldening, and energising the apostles.
But how about us? Perhaps we are weary. Busy. Worn out. Thinly spread! We beseech our heavenly father this morning for daily physical bread, but also spiritual and emotional sustenance. Perhaps we feel confused and helpless? We feel lost, and floundering.
Jesus has compassion on us. Whatever our state. Whatever our belief. He sees you. And he calls you into relationship with him. Relationship that will change your heart. That will untangle the confusion. It will strengthen your helplessness. And most of all, give you love that overflows to those around you (Romans 5:5)
Imagine a cup. In a bowl. On a plate. On a tray. On the table. Now visualise a jug of crystal clear water being poured into that cup. On and on. Down and down. The cup fills! The the jug doesn’t stop. The cup overflows into the bowl, but the jug doesn’t stop! The water keeps on flowing until the cup, bowl, plate and tray overflows. Water is flowing off the table!
This is how the Spirit of God fills our hearts. The heart (jug) of God is infinite, never ending and it keeps pouring until we are filled, and overflowing into our families, homes, streets, towns, countries, and the wider world. Wow.
But, you say, I don’t KNOW this. I trust Jesus as my rescuer (hey!) But I don’t SENSE his presence. I believe am I washed in his blood and alive in his resurrection, but I don’t FEEL his life inside me. I am just pressing on. Plodding on day by day.
Friend, I get you. I have compassion on your soul. Know that you are NOT alone. But know most of all that Jesus sees you. He knows you. He loves you. And he calls you into come aside, and spend time alone with him. Just as he did with his father. Slow down. Stop. Put aside everything that entangles you. And just seek his face. Read his word. Call upon his name. Sing his praise. Bow down. He will come and touch your heart when you genuinely seek his presence.
Come to Jesus that you may be truly whole. Stop drinking the dirty water of this world and experience the living water of Christ that truly satisfies us, and those around us! (John 7:37-38)
