One of the many motives assuring us of the truth of the Gospels is the fact that they never conceal painful and embarrassing truths. In the several lists of the Apostles' names given in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, there is always the painful reminder that Judas betrayed Jesus. There was never any attempt to deny or cover up that painful truth. The Gospels, too, record the denials of Peter, the rejection of Jesus by His family. An invented story about Jesus and the early Church would not have spoken of such embarrassing facts.

So, too, Jesus sends His Apostles to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. God had chosen Israel, had led this chosen people out of Egypt, and had lavished upon them every grace and blessing, including the Temple with its Holy of Holies. Yet some, even many, in Israel failed. If Israel failed, then surely God had failed? Yet scripture never tries to cover up this embarrassing truth of the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus came to seek those who were lost.