TUESDAY, APRIL 19
Scripture: Matthew 10:5-10

In Matthew 10:5-10 Jesus sent the twelve out. He told them where not to go before telling them where they could go. They were not to go to the Gentiles and they were not to enter a city of the Samaritans but they were confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were sent to covenant people who had a foundation in Scripture. Because they were sent to a covenant people with a foundation in Scripture, Matthew 5:38-48 would makes sense. In this passage Jesus taught them not to resist an evil person that they were trying to win but to turn the other cheek. That principle was best applied to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. We have made it apply to everybody, all the time, anytime and everywhere to our own hurt. Jesus defined the priestly ministry which was to win the lost. But then He made a transition, a transition the American church and many churches throughout the world have yet to make.