Matthew: Chapter 10
Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus giving authority to his twelve disciples to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness and sending them on a mission to the "lost sheep of Israel" preaching, "the kingdom of heaven is near". The twelve apostles are also named in the passage.
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. Matthew 10:2-4.
These twelve are special. They received a specific call from Jesus himself and now are given authority and a mission to complete. This "little" commission which they are to do, would be a first for them. Therefore, Jesus also gives specific instructions on how to go about preaching through the people of Israel.
Instructions
Besides the general guidelines on to whom the disciples must preach and what to preach, Jesus also emphasizes to "freely give what they freely received". This here covers both the physical (like healing) and spiritual (transformation in self due to the gospel) blessings.
The disciples were asked not to take gold or silver or copper, no bag, extra tunic or sandals or a staff for their journeys. For they would be provided by the Father, a call back to previous chapters where Jesus preached on how everyone would be provided. Further, the disciples were asked to stay at a worthy persons house until they leave the village. The greetings of peace which the disciples say when they enter a house would remain if the house is worthy, and if they are unwelcomed the dust of their feet would be a testimony against that town.
Persecutions
Jesus also warned the disciples about the persecutions which they would face in the near future. These would be from their own people, family and rulers. For speaking the word of God, the message of repentance and the kingdom, they would be delivered to be flogged and thrown out from synagogues. They would be dragged before governors and kings for the sake of gospel and would bear testimony about Jesus Christ before them and the Gentiles.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
The world would tear them like wolves would, so they were advised to be wise as serpents to recognize everything happening against them and to be innocent as doves against the sins of the world. In all these bleak situations, they do have hope. Hope that Father would provide words to say when they are kept at court, and witnesses testify against them.
When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19-20
As the persecutions arise, go from one town to another, flee, but keep sharing and spreading the message of salvation to everyone there. And endure.
You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
Worthiness
Throughout the chapter, worthiness is brought up time and again. The disciples were asked to stay at a worthy person's house. And Jesus says, anyone who loves his own kin more than me is not worthy of me. While this might be hard to digest, the meaning of this is that God, expects that he be our first priority over anything else. In this particular case, it means, a person should be ready to choose God over his family when they are persecuted.
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
In God's sight, we are worth much. But, if we ignore God for our personal choices, then how can we expect God to stand by us? However, if we stand for God in spite of all the persecutions we face, then we are assured safety.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
The divide
Being persecuted and divided is hard. But the division brought because of the gospel is far deeper than that. Peace is something which is associated with Christ, and this is reinforced in many verses. However, here, Jesus himself says the following.
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household." Matthew 10:34-36
So what is Jesus referring to here? In Jesus, individuals find peace. However, the very message of the gospel would divide people like a sword cutting through.
The reward
In all these, there is an eternal reward. Anyone who receives and accepts the gospel, accepts Christ, and anyone who receives Christ into themselves, receives the Father. The last three verses of this chapter, goes assures that anyone who welcomes the gospel and the ones who carry the gospel would be rewarded with that same person's reward.
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| He who stands firm to the end will be saved. |
This chapter, compared to the previous ones, is a "hard" chapter. It is not easy to come in terms with a lot of things mentioned here. In fact, it is very possible that based on the place and time period we live in, all these talks about persecutions might seem outdated. However, the truth is, in parts of the world, these still apply, and it is possible that it might catch up to us as well.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39
To summarize, we have a commission to share the word of God, just like the disciples did. If we live by the will of God, we too will have authority over all sicknesses. We will be provided everything we need. But, we might face persecution, and might not be accepted everywhere. However, we don't have to fear man, we will be given what to say at that time. The gospel might cause divisions in families, and may put us in a place where we have to choose Jesus, or the world. But if we stand firm, we will be saved and be rewarded.
So, come what may, stand firm in the LORD. See you in the next post. Take care of yourself and each other!
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