Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve!

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Today we reach the end of Week 2 with the reading of Matthew 10. As I mentioned yesterday, Jesus is entering "Phase 2" of his earthly ministry, where instead of doing the ministry himself he sends them out to do the same things he was doing.   

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

1. Jesus gave them "authority" to drive out evil spirits and heal EVERY disease and sickness. Again we have this important word "authority". Jesus had the authority to carry out the Father's will by bringing His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and now he was bestowing upon his disciples this same authority. 

2. Jesus sent them first to the Jewish people with a similar message that he and John the Baptist proclaimed, "The kingdom of heaven has come near.". The heavens had opened and the kingdom had become to available to all those who sought it through Jesus. 

3. The disciples were to subsist based on the generosity of those who welcomed them. When they entered the town they were to find a "person of peace" who would welcome them. If they were not welcomed in a particular home, they were told to shake the dust off their feet, as a sign of judgment on this house. The term "shake the dust off your feet" was a way of saying they didn't want anything from this home to go with them. 

This is a great teaching reminding us there are people of peace ready to welcome the Good News of Christ. But if they are not interested in hearing about Christ, there is no reason to spend time with them trying to change their mind. It's like fishing. If no fish are biting, don't stay there all day but find a place they are biting. 

4. Jesus did not mince words with them about the prospect of being persecuted. As they persecuted him, they would be persecuted. Persecution and betrayal would even come within their families. When they were brought before kings and governors and called to give a witness of their faith, they did not need to worry because the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say. This is one of the first times we learn of the role of the Holy Spirit. 

The same is true today. When we are given an opportunity to share our faith, we should rely on the Holy Spirit to help us. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that convicts someone of their need for a Savior and enlightens them to believe in the Good News. 

5. As they faced persecution they needed to be reminded that God cared for each of them. He even knew, "the very number of hairs on their heads". It reminds us from the words from St. Paul, "If God is for us, who can be against us!" Romans 8:31

6. Jesus gives the disciples this warning, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33

Everyone Jesus called He called publicly. There is really no such thing as a “secret” Christian, at least not in a permanent sense. This is a contradiction in terms – an oxymoron. - Guzik

While some people are more gregarious than others, all of us will have times in our lives where we are called to stand up and confess our faith in Jesus. Though it may be counter cultural, though it may not be comfortable, though it may go against your personality style, there is a sense of joy and peace when we proclaim allegiance to our Savior publicly. 

7. Jesus offers a final challenge which can be misunderstood easily. Jesus says if a disciple does not love him more than his father or mother, or daughter or son, they cannot follow him. Remember Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience and the decision to follow Jesus coming from a traditionally Jewish family could inevitably cause lots of family conflict. Many of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and if you were a son or daughter in this home you would have been faced with a tough decision. Should I follow Jesus or follow my parents? Bottom line is our relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship we have, and hopefully none of us will have those we love try to dissuade us from following him.  

This in no way negates the commandment to honor and love one's parents. To compare these two verses would be to take scripture out of context. This is similar to when Jesus says in Luke 14:26, "If you don't hate your life you cannot follow me."  Of course, Jesus isn't encouraging "self hatred", but the fact that sometimes we will have to lose ourselves in order to find the abundant life Jesus promised. 

Have you been given the challenge or opportunity to profess your faith in Jesus publicly? What was it like? How do you think Christians are persecuted today directly or indirectly? How can we support, encourage, and pray for those who face heavy persecution in other places around the world?