Daily Treasure

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6).

At the time of our Scripture, the gospel was first proclaimed to the Jews. The Samaritans were a mixed-breed of people. There was much hostility between Jews and Samaritans.

The Israelites were like lost sheep who had strayed because of faithless shepherds (Jeremiah 50:6). The Jewish people had so many privileges, but didn’t realize this enough to accept one of their own as the Messiah. God gave unto them the old covenant that began with Abraham. He also gave them the law, a temple where they could worship, revelation of divine glory and Messianic prophecies. One writer states “these privileges, however, were not extended to the Jews because of their superior merit or because of God’s partiality toward them. It was necessary that the invasion of this world by the gospel begin at a particular point with a particular people, who in turn were responsible to carry that gospel to the other nations.”

When I review a history of the Israelites,  I see God grooming them as the first missionaries.  The Jews were looking for an earthly king.  I find it difficult to understand they didn’t know Jesus was the Messiah when so much of their worship, sacrifices and rituals pointed to His coming.   We find in John 1:11, “He came unto His own, and his own received him not.” They simply lacked the faith to believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

After Christ’s death and resurrection, when the veil of the temple was rent in two, He commanded the message be taken unto all the world.  When Christ ascended and the Spirit came down, the apostles were  to be witnesses first in Jerusalem, then expand their outreach all the way to the ends of the earth.  There would no longer be any limits on spreading the gospel. We may have to be creative, at times, to bring the lost to Jesus, but it’s our God-given responsibility to do what we can.  God fulfilled His mission while on earth.  He left work for us to do to continue spreading His message of hope to all mankind.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The Ipiranga FWB Church in Brazil almost closed at one point. Pray for two church leaders now attending seminary and working in this ministry.

“….I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b).

What’s a paradigm? It means “the model—the basic principles or philosophy on which all actions or practices are based.”  It’s like a purpose statement.  For instance, several years ago, many were talking about the changing paradigm of the church—how it was now less about physical buildings and organizational structures, but more about meeting people’s needs (often through small groups or even cell churches in homes).

So how is the missions paradigm changing? Back in the day, young people committed their lives to mission service, went to Bible college, raised support, then packed up all their possessions and went to the mission field as lifetime career missionaries.  Nowadays, it’s often retired persons who are packing up and going.  Literally thousands of people of all ages commit to short term mission trips or projects, and, entire missions operations are often coordinated without the missionary ever permanently leaving the U.S.”

Now to our Bible verse.  Some might look at this as the Old Testament’s version of the Great Commission.  Through Christ, we, as Gentiles, are afforded the privilege of sharing the gospel throughout the world.  We must be willing to say as Isaiah did, “Here am I, send me.”

People everywhere need the Lord.  If you don’t feel you are called to go to “the regions beyond,” you are still called to be a witness as a “stay at home” missionary.

Prayerfully read the April Bible study in Together With God magazine. Allow it to speak to you as we learn together about the changing paradigm of missions.  Yes, it is changing, but, the Great Commission never does. We still have the command to go into all the world and “win the lost at any cost.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Diana Bryant, Jan Clay and Rebecca Pugh as they create and coordinate a commemorative 75th anniversary convention program.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).

Before we begin celebrating the Resurrection, let us look at one more set of words from the cross.  Just a thought about the part about the vinegar on the sponge handed Him when He said He was thirsty.  I tend to think when it touched His lips was when He uttered the words of today’s verse.   Notice the words, “it is finished.”  Christ did not say “I am finished.”   His suffering had ended and He completed everything His Father had sent Him to do. The debt of sin was paid in full.

His lifeless body was placed in a borrowed grave. He defeated death, hell, and the grave when He arose. It was a weekend that changed and continues to change lives forever.

He completed His mission on earth. Each of us has a mission to complete before He returns to take us home to be with Him. He gave us the Great Commission to go into all the world to share the gospel. People need the Lord and the message of hope is ours to share.

Praise God!  He lives!

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Prayerfully read Matthew 28:19-20 and ask yourself the question, “Does this mean me?”

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit…” (Luke 23:46).

Right before His death, Christ spoke to His Father. Jesus was about to die. The sinless Lamb of God was the only sacrifice a holy God could accept. Christ’s death was the only way we could be saved from our sins. We deserved to die, but with a heart full of love and mercy, God was willing to give “His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

There was only one more thing to be said as Christ drew His last breath. We will share these last words from the cross as tomorrow, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God will speak to women through the PreEaster Week of Prayer special presentation downloadable from the WNAC website or available on DVD from the WNAC office.

“After this, Jesus knowing all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst”  (John 19:28).

We refer to today as Good Friday.  We commemorate the anniversary of Christ’s death on the Cross.  Praise God Sunday is coming!  Take time today to reflect on His death which made it possible for us to be saved.  Throughout the weekend pause to praise God, not only for His death, but, also for His resurrection.
Yesterday and today’s verses show the humanity of Jesus. Until He drew His last breath, He was God in the flesh.  With all the blood He lost during the Crucifixion, Jesus had to have been dehydrated.  To be offered vinegar may have been customary, but, reading this, I saw this as cruel. Turns out, this is a fulfillment of Scripture (Psalm 69:21).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for health, discernment and holiness for leaders of our works in Asia, India and Africa.

“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26).

The above verse speaks volumes of the love Christ had for his earthly mother.  As He looked down from the cross and saw the look on His mother’s face, He felt so much compassion for her.  She had done her best to take care of Him during His earthly life.  He wanted to make sure she would receive good care once He was gone.  He entrusted her care to His beloved disciple, John.  This was the last thing He could do for His loving mother who stood in tears at the cross.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for safety and spiritual growth for all participants and leaders of the Go10 Walk for the World.

“And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Though Christ’s mission on earth was completed on the cross,  His main objective on earth was “to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Even while His life’s blood flowed from Calvary, He saved one who came to Him in faith.  The thief beside Him knew he, not Christ, deserved to die.  It might not have been the best of circumstances, but Christ was ready to save and extend the promise of paradise to a repentant thief.  Christ offers that same promise to all who will come to Him in faith.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Workers in Creative Access areas need extra wisdom. Pray they will be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.