Genesis 33-35 Matthew 10:1-20

“When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given the things to say. It will not really be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19-20)

Jesus sent His disciples on a mission. They were to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. While they were doing it they were supposed to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons, among other things. They were to go, expecting support from those they ministered among, but they weren’t supposed to charge for their services. As Jesus was charging them with this job description, He gave them an interesting word of assurance: when you get arrested, you won’t need to worry about figuring out the right things to say, God’s gonna speak through you.

There’s an interesting part to the job description Jesus gave to His disciples. He talks about when they get arrested…. That’s probably not a job requirement most people expect to find on a job listing. In fact, if I were an employer hiring for a position and I expected someone to be arrested for their work, I might not include that expectation. I would go and bail my employee out and appear to be magnanimous when I did so. Jesus knew that His message was so counter culture, though, that those who proclaimed God’s love and grace would be arrested. They would stand before authorities. And there, they would have the opportunity to let God speak of His love and grace through them. While we don’t experience that in America, at least not often, are we willing to endure even arrest to proclaim the kingdom of God?

Lord, give me the power to live and proclaim Your grace to others in every situation. In difficult times, remind me to let Your Spirit speak through me.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.