Matthew 10 - What Does It Mean, "Whoever Stands Firm to the End Will Be Saved!"???

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What Happening in Matthew 10

In chapter 10 Jesus moves from doing the ministry to equipping the disciples to do the ministry. Literally there is nothing Jesus did in the first nine chapters that the disciples won't do moving forward and especially after Pentecost, when they receive the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Jesus gives the disciples authority to heal diseases and sicknesses and to cast out demons. The term "authority" is an important word. It is the right to exercise power. It is the right to rule or reign. Jesus gave the disciples his authority to bring in the kingdom of God, which rules of the kingdom of darkness.

Matthew records the names of the twelve disciples. 

 The main feature of this list is its diversity. Jesus chose His disciples from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. About all they had in common was it seems that none of them were privileged or from backgrounds of high status. This is very much in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. (Guzik)

Jesus gave his disciples specific instructions as he sent them out. 

1. Don't go to the Gentiles or Samaritans, but go to the lost sheep of Israel. 

2. The message was to be that the "kingdom of heaven has drawn near". Matthew uses the term "kingdom of heaven", whereas Mark uses the term "kingdom of God". This was the same message Jesus gave in Matthew 4:17.

3. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. There is no way they could do this in their human ability. They needed the power Jesus to do those things, which he gave them. 

On this journey they were rely wholly on the people they visited for what they needed. They were not even to carry any money on them. They were to look for the person of peace, who would supply them what they needed. If someone were receptive and hospitable the disciples would give them their peace. If someone refused, they were to move and shake the dust off their feet as a sign of judgment against them. 

Literally to shake the dust off of their feet showed that the people weren't even worth the dust from their shoes. This seems a little harsh but reminds us that as we preach the gospel and share our faith, if someone rejects us or sends us away, they did it to the original disciples too.

Our job is to not to argue with or cajole people into the kingdom. We simply need to share the gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to show them their need for Christ. 

They should expect God to meet their needs, without taking undue concern for their own needs. Furthermore, they should expect that God would normally meet their needs through the inspired hospitality of others.

Jesus minced no words and let them know that they would be sent out as sheep among wolves. As such, they needed to be shrewd in their dealings with those they met. They needed to be honest and hard working (innocent as doves), yet not naive. They would be arrested and brought before the authorities, but that would serve as a opportunity to give witness to both the Jews and Gentiles. 

Importantly, though they would find themselves in some dire straits, if they relied on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit would give them the words to say. This is the Holy Spirit of God the Father. 

So you can see the disciples needed to rely on other people of peace to provide for their needs and also on God the Father and the Holy Spirit to give them the words to say when they are persecuted! 

Who could have thought, at that time, that these despised and illiterate men could excite so much attention, and be called upon to apologize for the profession of their faith before the tribunals of the most illustrious personages of the earth?” (Wakefield, cited in Clarke)

This gave them confidence that the Spirit of the Father would speak to and through them at the necessary moment, even if they were not prepared with a statement. (Guzik)

Jesus reminded them that a student was not above his teacher, or a servant above his teacher. Just as Jesus would soon suffer, they would too. When we follow Jesus, we receive the benefits of abundant life, a peace that passes understanding, and the sure and certain hope of eternal life. At the same time, we should not be surprised when we faces trials and tribulations of every kind. (See 1 Peter 4:12)

Though they would face persecution and suffering, they did not need to be afraid. Jesus reminded them of two truths. First, even though their persecutors might think they are thwarting the purposes of God, their evil deeds will one day be revealed. Though it would be tempting to fear for their lives, God knows the very number of hairs on their heads. 

How can knowing God knows you and loves you this much help you as you go through whatever trial or persecution you are going through right now?

Matthew says something very important that is much debated as to its meaning. 

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Does this mean that someone who is going through persecution will not be saved, if they somehow shrink back from it or don't stand firm? I thought we are saved by grace through faith not works.

 Matthew 24:13 says essentially the same. For more understanding of this passage click on this link:

He who stands to the end will be saved

The bottom line is to say that those who stand firm in Christ until the end are those who are saved. The key to surviving persecution is Christ within us the hope of glory. What is saved is our eternal reward for being faithful even unto death. When we stand firm until the end it shows us that we are sons and daughters of God and sealed by the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus gives us another very challenging passage. 

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

This is another verses which begs the question, "If I ever shrink back and don't acknowledge Jesus when I am asked does this mean Jesus will disown me in heaven?" 

By this time you might be seeing that Matthew has a certain style of writing which relies on "hyperbole".  Hyperbole is when you make an extreme statement purposely to make a point. Sometimes it is might not be meant to be taken literally. I.e. When Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off". 

But on the other hand we do not want to dilute the authority of God's inspired Word, so we face a dilemma. 

Here is how some commentators have looked at this verse which might be helpful to you.

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.

Each individual Christian life should supply enough evidence – evidence that can be seen by the world – that they are indeed Christians. It is to be feared that many modern Christians, if arrested for the crime of following Jesus and tried in a court, would have the charges dismissed for a lack of evidence. (Guzik)

“What Christ is to you on earth, that you will be to Christ in heaven. I shall repeat that truth. Whatever Jesus Christ is to you on earth, you will be to him in the day of judgment. If he be dear and precious to you, you will be precious and dear to him. If you thought everything of him, he will think everything of you.” (Spurgeon)

What words in this passage challenge you the most? Do you get fearful about giving your testimony about Jesus in public if it might not be received very well? How can what Matthew has taught today help you? Hint: Don't worry about what you will say as the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say.

What Happening Tomorrow in Matthew 11

A major section of teaching is the interaction between John the Baptist and Jesus. Remember John the Baptist was the first to introduce Jesus to the public by saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near!" 

Jesus also gives stern warning to those who saw Jesus' miracles but rejected them and him. To those who are given much, much is required. It also reminds us that no matter what evidence people are given to believe in Jesus their hearts can still stay hardened. 

Finally, in Matthew 11, we encounter one of my favorite verses about who Jesus is and his offer to us as his disciples in Matthew 11:28-30. This is definitely worth memorizing. 

Congrats you have made it through Week 2. Next Monday we start with chapter 11!