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Matthew 10:1-10
Yeshua called his twelve talmidim (disciples/students) and gave them authority to drive out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of disease and weakness. 2 These are the names of the twelve emissaries:
First, Shim‘on, called Kefa (Peter), and Andrew his brother, Ya‘akov Ben-Zavdai (James son of Zebedee) and Yochanan (John) his brother, 3 Philip and Bar-Talmai (Bartholomew), T’oma (Thomas) and Mattityahu (Matthew) the tax-collector, Ya‘akov Bar-Halfai (James son of Alphaeus) and Taddai (Thaddaeus), 4 Shim‘on the Zealot (Simon the Zealot), and Y’hudah from K’riot (Judas from Iscariot), who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Yeshua sent out with the following instructions: “Don’t go into the territory of the Goyim (Gentiles), and don’t enter any town in Shomron (Samaria), 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el. 7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near,’ 8 heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara’at (leprosy), expel demons. You have received without paying, so give without asking payment. 9 Don’t take money in your belts, no gold, no silver, no copper; 10 and for the trip don’t take a pack, an extra shirt, shoes or a walking stick — a worker should be given what he needs.
Names... I will admit that one difficulty I have reading the Complete Jewish Bible is the fact that they use Hebrew names and sometimes I have to look at another version to understand who they are discussing because I learned the "Greek/English" versions of the name. Some people argue that only Hebrew names should be used. However, I believe that God knows us all by name and doesn't really care how they are pronounced. I have written the names as we know them next to the Hebrew names.
There is a depth to Hebrew names. The meaning of names is important in the Hebrew culture. It is a study to be done and that is quite fulfilling. I think that sometimes we miss this understanding when we name our children. It could be something to consider...
The last several verses above are Jesus giving His disciples instructions on who they should go teach. They were told NOT to enter towns of Gentiles or Samaria. Jesus gave them strict instructions to ONLY teach the lost sheep of Israel. This is key and important to understand. Yes, Jesus did heal Gentiles and did not restrict the Good News from being given to them, however, the first group of people that God wanted to hear the Good News was those in the House of Israel.
This brings the understanding that the "Gospel" was given first to the Jew and then to the Gentile. I believe this is a lost concept over the years...
Love and blessings,
Rose
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