Matthew 11:1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

I think the NIV misses something important when it renders this verse as “the towns of Galilee.” A footnote indicates that the Greek says “their towns,” and they should have rendered it that way. It is true that the 12, with the exception of Judas, were Galileans, but it is significant that, after sending the 12 out, Jesus went specifically to their towns to teach and preach. When God sends people out as missionaries, that doesn’t mean the towns they come from are neglected. Whereas Jesus sometimes told people to stay right where they were to proclaim the kingdom of God (Mark 5:18-20), He also knew first hand that familiarity breeds contempt, from what He encountered in Nazareth more than once in His ministry. (Luke 4:16-30, Matthew 13:54-58) Often in churches today a visiting speaker will be able to say things and get them across that the pastor has been trying to say for months without much success, because the element of novelty causes us to pay attention in a different way or on a different level. There are advantages to home-town ministry, and there are advantages to going where you are a stranger. The point is that in either case we are to proclaim God’s truth under the guidance and anointing of the Holy Spirit. That means going when He says go, and staying when He says stay, whether it seems hard or easy. Only then will we get the results that He desires for us.

Thinking about it, I’m thankful God didn’t plant me in Fukuoka. When I have spoken in the church where I was raised, people were glad to see me, but I didn’t get the feeling they were ready to hear a Word from the Lord through me. They had heard too many tales of frogs, lizards, and snakes! At the same time, I am recognizing new levels of effectiveness here in Omura after having been here almost 30 years, because there is an appreciation for the way I am obviously planted here. God is more than able to use each person in their circumstances for the sake of the kingdom of God. I need to get that truth across to the believers, so that rather than bemoaning their circumstances, they will be looking for how God wants to use their circumstances to bring people into His family for His glory.

Father, thank You that You know us and our circumstances better than we do. Thank You for sending some out, and for using some where they are. Help us all be fully available to You, to go or to stay, so that Your plans may be fulfilled for the salvation of many, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!