What Jesus Did! 'The Kingdom Is Near' — Matthew 10:7-8

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[Jesus continued his instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Go and announce to [the people of Israel] 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 10:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

The Kingdom of Heaven is about two central things: our surrender to the will of God and God's desire to bring us healing, peace, victory, and salvation. We find it so very hard to believe that victory is in surrender, but that is the principle of the Kingdom taught by Jesus all the way through Matthew's Good News story. While Jesus is the key player in the work of the Kingdom, he also reminds us that we have important roles to play as well — turning the direction of our lives around and offering them to God to do his will is where we start. When we do that, healing occurs at all sorts of levels — physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Today's Prayer

Father, I confess that I have blocked your Kingdom from fully dawning in my heart. I have to battle self-will and my own rebellious spirit. Yet I want to serve you powerfully and faithfully, not just to be accepted by you, but to please you and honor you for being so gracious in sending Jesus to redeem me. Please forgive me for my sins and bring your Kingdom in all its fullness so all may worship you on earth as the angels do in heaven. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 3:1-2
  • Matthew 4:17-23
  • Matthew 12:28

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 10:7-8 NLT — "Go and announce to [the people of Israel] 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!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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