03.16. Outreach in the north

Outreach in the north

About this time there was a marked increase in Jesus’ use of parables. Not all parables were as easy to interpret as we sometimes imagine, and Jesus used them to make people think. He confronted people with the claims of his kingdom, and forced them to decide one way or the other whether they would enter it. His parables helped separate those who genuinely believed from those who were merely curious.¹

Along with this element of confrontation came an element of urgency. Jesus believed that the twelve had been with him long enough and the time had now come to send them out by themselves, so that the message of the kingdom could spread more rapidly. He passed on to them some of his special messianic powers so that, besides preaching the good news of the kingdom, they could perform acts of merciful healing as he did.²

There would not be time to reach the whole world during Jesus’ lifetime, so the twelve were to concentrate on Israel. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, they could use Israel as a base from which to evangelize the countries beyond.³ For the present, however, the twelve were to move swiftly and cover as much territory as possible. They were to take with them only the bare essentials and were not to waste time with people who refused to listen. Above all, they were to proclaim fearlessly whatever Jesus had taught them.. This could land them in trouble, but they were to trust the Spirit of God to guide them, no matter what circumstances they faced.⁴

Although Jesus left his disciples in no doubt concerning the dangers ahead, he assured them help would come from unexpected sources. And God would reward those who cared for his messengers.⁵ 1. Matthew 13:10-16. See separate book in this series, Parables and Pictures.

2. Luke 9:1-2; see page 12 3. Matthew 10:5-8; Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 1:8 4. Matthew 10:9-33 5 Matthew 10:40-42

Modern Safed, in the northern hills