Christ Church Daily Devotion May 23 2024

The Daily Devotion for May 23, 2024, focuses on the twelve apostles mentioned in Matthew Chapter 10. The apostles came from diverse backgrounds and had different personalities. The most contrasting pair was Matthew, a tax collector, and Simon the Zealot, who opposed Roman occupation. Despite their differences, they were able to set aside their animosity and work together because of their love for Christ. The message encourages praying for someone with different views and being open to reaching out to them. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for May 23, 2024. Today we will be reading from Matthew Chapter 10, Verses 2-4. These are the names of the twelve apostles. First, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Philip and Bartholomew. Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector. James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Wow, now that is a diverse team. Imagine impulsive Peter and analytical Thomas working side by side. Some of these twelve apostles had blue-collar backgrounds, and some white-collar. Perhaps the most striking difference comes between Matthew and Simon the Zealot. As a tax collector, Matthew earned a good living, wrenching as much money and taxes as he could from his fellow Jews, and sending the rest to the Romans, for whom he worked. As a member of the Zealot Party, Simon would have sworn to kill any occupying Roman soldier, if the opportunity arose. While not all Zealots were violent, they are often labeled as the world's first terrorists. We can only imagine the conversations around the campfire at night, as these differences bubbled to the surface. Simon would likely have despised Matthew even more than he despised the Romans, who ruled his country. He would have seen Matthew as a collaborator with the enemy, and as someone who put profit over love of nation. I wonder whether Jesus teamed these two up together when he sent the apostles out by twos. Somehow, as they listened to Jesus' teachings and began to model their lives after him, these two let their animosity toward one another melt away. Their love of Christ united them, and we can learn from them. Your personal worship option today is to pray today for someone whose views are very different from yours, someone whom you have had trouble even liking. Pray for their well-being, not for their change of view. Be open to God's leading you to reach out to them.