fully joined 03-18-2026

As Jesus’ mission began to progress he began to empower his followers to fully join him. First it was the twelve. (Matthew 10:5-8) These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Then it grew to the seventy-two.

(Luke 10:1-2) After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Then all his followers. (Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Here’s my question as we are following Jesus’ steps to the cross this Lenten season: how are you fully joining Jesus in his mission? Freely you have received; freely give. PK