There are many confusing, almost troubling statements found in the Gospels. This is one.
When Jesus first sent out His disciples, He instructed them not to go to the Samaritans or Gentiles, but to their fellow Jews. This seems contrary to all we know of Christ and His love for all people.
Yet there is a principle here. God began with His own people. The Jewish people had been granted a rare and unprecedented opportunity to know and walk with God. But they had departed from Him. Because of their former relationship, God gave them the first opportunity to return to Him. God’s heart was for the revival. Throughout history, revival has typically preceded a great awakening. God first gets His own people in right relationship with Himself before He draws unbelievers. Some Christian leaders today are impatient with other believers and want to focus entirely on unbelievers. But God began with His own.
Jesus also taught His disciples to begin with those closest to them. Jesus eventually sent His disciples to the ends of the earth, but He first asked them to reach the people in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). At times it is easier to convert someone from a distant land than it is to share Christ with a colleague at work.
Are there people close to you, to whom you should be going? Perhaps you should begin with them.