Whether we like it or not, we think our agenda is best. From the small things to the big things, we seek to exert our control by following our agenda or making others do the same. But that idol of control is restless because it will never be enough. Because our hearts are restless, we need the rebuke, revelation, and rest of Jesus we see in Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

Having just described the persecution Christians will face as they go out on mission, we are left asking the question: will it be worth it? Jesus lays out for us in Matthew 10:40-42 just what awaits those who faithfully obey Him: we will see people be saved.

Being a Christian is an invitation to persecution and suffering. As Jesus explains this to His disciples in Matthew 10:24-39, He wants them to know the suffering and sacrifice of their mission and what submission to their Savior really looks like.

When Jesus tells us what to do, He always gives us everything we need to do it. But it's still difficult for us because the things Jesus asks us to do are costly. In our helplessness of heart, we feel unequipped. In our hardness of heart, we feel attacked. But the beautiful truth from Matthew 9:35-10:23 is that Jesus gives us everything we need to reach the lost and endure persecution.

Many of us love the idea of restoration, like watching videos of people restoring old rugs. But when it comes to restoration in our own lives, we can be resistant. In the stories from Matthew 9:9-13 and 9:18-26, we see that Jesus has come to restore what is broken by setting us free from sin, suffering, and death.

As humans, we are hardwired for uncertainty and doubt. Even if we saw something miraculous, something inside us wants to question its validity. This is the exact position the eleven remaining disciples find themselves in. They are instructed to meet Jesus on a mountain and when they do, some doubt. But what we see in Matthew 28:16-20 is that the authority and presence of Jesus sets us free for His Kingdom Mission.

Waiting can be hard. No one understood this idea more than the disciples as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit to descend upon them. In Acts 2:1-2, we see the beginning of a new church age, one marked by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And when we trust in Jesus' promises to us, we live a new life in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus was preparing to leave, the disciples needed to be reminded of where they can pursue peace, especially as they passed the faith on to the next generation. But like the disciples, we falter in our pursuit of peace because we forget Jesus is ruling and reigning at the Father's right hand. In Luke 24:44-53, we are reminded that we can live at peace knowing Jesus has left us with all we need to follow Him.

This world is filled with trouble. We are troubled by things like global security threats to things like interpersonal conflicts. Unfortunately, our hearts can be too troubled to love and obey Jesus. In John 14, we are given a glimpse into an intimate conversation with Jesus and the disciples on the eve of His betrayal and arrest. He tells them to not let their hearts be troubled. It's in these verses we learn that loving obedience to King Jesus is the pathway to peace.

Our world is filled with troubles. If anyone had any reason to be troubled in this life it was Jesus on the night of His betrayal and crucifixion. Yet, in John 14 He tells His disciples to not be troubled or afraid. How can He say this? It's because, through His death on the cross, Jesus makes a way for us to dwell with the Father.