Dare to be different and you will make a difference around you!

Matthew 10:7-15

7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. 9 Take no gold nor silver nor [even] copper money in your purses (belts); 10 And do not take a provision bag or a wallet for a collection bag for your journey, nor two undergarments, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the workman deserves his support (his living, his food). 11 And into whatever town or village you go, inquire who in it is deserving, and stay there [at his house] until you leave [that vicinity]. 12 As you go into the house, give your greetings and wish it well. 13 Then if indeed that house is deserving, let come upon it your peace [that is, freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin]. But if it is not deserving, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive and accept and welcome you nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or town, shake the dust [of it] from your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Food for the soul!

Yesterday, Jesus chose his team. He is the team leader, he guides it, he gives them instructions. Under him, the team of ordinary people became a team of extraordinary people. As we said yesterday, Jesus chose these men, not only for what they were, but also for what they were capable of becoming under his influence and in his power. Yes, under Jesus you and I can become different and can make a difference in the world. The question is, do you see yourself different, and are you making any difference around you?

You can't change yourself and you can't change anybody without the Lord. Many of us are lead by bottom-line pressures. We wrestle with challenging issues, trying to make sense out of situations that have no simple solutions. We truly want to be different and to make a difference in other's lives but don't know how.

Today's gospel reading shows us how very ordinary people like you and me became different and made difference in the world. Their secret was in their instructor; their secret was Jesus. Before they succeeded in the world, they first succeeded in listening to the instructions of Jesus.

I want to invite you to make a change that will change you. Consider making Jesus make you. Consider making Jesus your CEO (chief executive officer), your leader. Let us let Jesus lead us as he lead the twelve apostles, let him be our instructor, not only on Sundays, but also in the week, not only during the few moments we are in the church, but also when we are Down Town on the Main Street.

Jesus gave and gives clear instructions on what to do where: heal the sick and raise the dead. He even told them what to wear and whom to talk to. Jesus did not just send them out without a clear plan. It was these instructions that made ordinary men perform extraordinary work. Jesus' instructions can do the same with you and me. (Heb 13:8) For Jesus doesn't change, yesterday, today, tomorrow. What he did yesterday he does today and forever. Amen.