Today we hear the beginning of the tenth chapter of Matthew. This chapter is one of the five sermons Matthew’s Jesus gives in this gospel. We will hear all of it at the Daily Eucharist beginning today through next Monday. Jesus begins by giving the twelve disciples the power to cast out unclean spirits and heal—his power. Matthew and Luke draw their list of disciples from Mark.[1] There are minor variations. Note that the number twelve is significant in the emerging Christian community. Later in this gospel, Jesus will say to the twelve apostles, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
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