Reality Check

In this series from Matthew chapters 9 through 11, we begin with two episodes in which Jesus calls the disciples, teaching about the harvest while demonstrating kingdom ministry, and sending them out to do the same. The next three episodes are a reality check: This is not always going to be glorious and successful by worldly standards. There will be rejection and persecution. One option to explore with this series might be the way our culture is becoming less and less favorable toward authentic Christianity. But the glorious truth is that we belong to the Father in heaven. We are part of his transformative work in this world, and he will never let us go. The final words in this series are Jesus’ beautiful words of comfort and hope, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…”