Matthew 10:1-10: Signs of Heaven Are Around If You're Willing to Look

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

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.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 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.

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. - Matthew 10:1-10

Jesus gave his disciples a clear message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' He also gave a series of ways to show those who listened to his disciples that it was really true: 'Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.' He also gave his disciples a clear attitude: 'Freely you have received; freely give.' 

I'm not sure if driving out demons is the way that people today would recognize that the kingdom had come near. God chooses his own signs, but God's signs always involve God doing what only God can do.  But signs are only visible to those who are looking. If I am not looking, then no sign will convince me of the presence of God. The road sign, 'Rest Area' is meant to give me advanced notice that there is a good place to stop and go to the restroom and stretch my legs. But if I am not looking for the sign of a 'Rest Area' I will never exit the highway soon enough. And why should I be looking if I am not feeling tired? Why should I be looking if I don't know the possibility of 'rest'? That is what the disciples proclaimed: heaven is around you if you are willing and interested to look.