MONDAY, DECEMBER 30
Scripture: Matthew 10:5-8

In Matthew 10:5-8 Jesus was sending out the Twelve. We are told in verses 5-8, “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’” Jesus made it very clear to the Twelve that they were being given a free gift. They were responsible for using that gift. They were responsible for releasing the Judicial Koo-ree-os Christ. And they did. And when James and John asked for positions next to Christ, when they tried to ascend beyond their brethren, correction came. And pretty soon they were arguing about who was the greatest. They entered the kingdom-building phase. Then they all had to come to failure and all deny the Lord to realize that God gives these gifts to earthen vessels. A heart of repentance was born, they were transformed and changed through failure. God uses failure to prepare us to minister His grace and His judgment. Our response to failure is what prepares us. It was failure that prepared the Twelve and our response to our failures that prepares us. Only those who refuse to acknowledge their failures are those who end up in danger of judgment. Ananias and Sapphira fell in that camp. Herod fell in that camp. Those who refuse to repent of arrogance and pride, those who refuse to repent of their failures are the ones who end up in danger of judgment. God uses our response to failure to qualify. And once we understand that, then we are ready to move forward with Him to finish the process.