Lesson 2310

(Lesson 2310)(04-08-18) Matthew 10:1-6
    “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
    Today’s lesson contains something that many miss in their bible study. Therein, Jesus identified His twelve selected apostles. After He had named them He began to assign them mission and before telling them what they were to preach, He told them where they were to go. That instruction is a very important part of today’s lesson.
    Note that Jesus said; “GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, and into ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT: But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.” It is VERY IMPORTANT to remember that the message those twelve apostles were about to receive was to be delivered to the “house of Israel”, the message Jesus was about to instruct His apostles to preach was NOT intended for the Gentiles.
    The importance of this distinction will become clearer as these lessons progress.~