Lost Sheep Hospital

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’“

Matthew 10:1-7

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Shepherding Israel First: Jesus’ Strategic Mission

Jesus’ mission to shepherd his people began with a focused call to the lost sheep of Israel, fulfilling God’s covenant with Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. As the Messiah and Son of David, he prioritized proclaiming salvation to the Jewish people, preparing them for the kingdom of heaven before extending the message to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). Like a wise teacher, Jesus trained his disciples among their own people, strengthening their faith in a familiar context before sending them to foreign lands. Just as John the Baptist called Israel to repentance to prepare the way for the Lord, Jesus first gathered his scattered sheep at home, tending to their spiritual needs in a divine plan that would soon embrace all nations.

Traditional Chinese Translation

迷失羊醫院
雖然整個世界是一間迷羊醫院，
十二個門徒卻先往以色列。