THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 10, Instructions for Service, A Hard Road, Discipleship and The Rewards

 

THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 10

Instructions for Service, A Hard Road, Discipleship and The Rewards

Let’s review the purpose of this study and commentary. First, it is for us, as His disciples and followers, to learn to walk in the steps of Jesus. We, have been commissioned and sent into all the world, to make disciples. We are to tell people about Him. We are to teach them to obey His words, and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Matthew presents us with the model and methods of Jesus, which are to be our models and methods in order to accomplish our mission.

Secondly, the purpose of this study is to concurrently seek and find the prophetic words of Jesus, in order to pursue and apply them to our lives. This task and exercise will lead us to call on and to walk in the Holy Spirit with His guidance and power.

(NOTE: Please. If it isn’t found in scriptures, it is not of God. Making conjecture ‘because it sound reasonable’ is error! If it isn’t here – don’t you dare!).

Finally, Jesus has told us we are to do the Works He has done and greater works than these, as He has gone to the Father.

If you are wondering about ‘these works’, you are not alone. The crowds that followed Jesus also asked, “What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God?”  Jesus answered, “This is the Work of God: that you believe, [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.” (See John 6:28 & 29).

It is by this method – walking by faith, in the prophetic – that we are prepared and empowered to allow God to do His Works and even greater works – though our mortal bodies and through our lives.

The Twelve Disciples; Instructions for Service

Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

(Commentary Break: Here is the definition and use of the word ‘authority’ as used in Matthew 10 verse 1 from Strong’s Concordance: ‘eksousía’, meaning a conferred power; delegated empowerment (“authorization”), operating in a designated jurisdiction. The power to act; moral authority or influence in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power and hence of an earthly power.

It is being taught in many churches that the authority Jesus gave these twelve disciples has ended. It is being taught that this authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness was exclusive to them. The Bible never says nor infers that this authority was exclusive, restricted or withdrawn. Such an idea is a fabrication of men or women who have never seen or experienced such authority. IN FACT, the original twelve disciples are rarely shown exercising such authority, although there are examples to be referenced. (see Healings through the disciples).

Although there are few reports of legitimate miracles, casting out of demons or unclean spirits and healings, there are a number confirmed examples in our current day as well. But the main point to be made here is that unless the Bible clearly states an event has occurred, or has not occurred, whether or not a spiritual gift has been revoked or has not been revoked, then nothing has changed in the recorded scriptures. They are the Word and Breath of God and His is the same yesterday, today and forever.

If you simply cannot fathom the inerrancy or accuracy of the written Word of God, then it is your faith that is needs work, and not the Bible. (It would be best to pray about these matters and spend time studying and practicing The Word of God). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; and [footnote ‘a’] James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Verse 3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Verse 4. Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed Him.

(Commentary Break: This event is similar to Genesis, “in the beginning”. Jesus has set a prophetic mission in motion. Here, Jesus is calling and sending the first of many millions of disciples to follow. Then before His ascension, Jesus gave these final instructions, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” With the passing of these disciples, came the next wave with the same mission and calling; then the next, and the next, and the next, and now you!

Every called one who give his or her life to Jesus is a disciple of Jesus. Every disciple of Jesus is also commissioned and sent on this mission. No Christian is exempt, that is, no true follower of Jesus is exempt. This is the reason. This is the cause. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 5. These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; verse 6, but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

(Commentary Break: These 12 were sent to the house of Israel. Soon after, Paul was sent to the Gentiles. The Gentiles have been grafted into the Olive Tree and are now one with Christ. There is now, therefore, no household, no race and no gender which is to be left behind. Although only the few will respond, all are to be called, (End Commentary Break).

Verse 7. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Verse 8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Verse 9. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, verse 10, or a bag for your journey, or even two [footnote ‘j’] tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of their support.

(Commentary Break: This is still the Message, unlike so many of the preachers and evangelists of this age, today: “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”.

And, this is still the Method, unlike so many of the preachers and evangelists of this age, today: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give”.

And, these are still the Means, unlike so many of the preachers and evangelists of this age, “Do no acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandal, or a staff. For the worker is deserving of their support”. (End Commentary Break)

Verse 11. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Verse 14. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.

(Commentary Break: If you are to follow Jesus and obey His leading, this is His model – and please don’t parse His words saying something like, ‘that was then and this is now. Things have changed’. Yes, things have changed, but He has not changed. His Word and His Ways have not changed. You need the support and encouragement of staying with the right people.

Secondly, these instructions should be clear. Do not spend your time trying to convince anyone that Jesus is the way. Whoever does not receive you or listen to your words, simply shake the dust off your feet as you leave. It is Jesus who is doing the work of salvation, not you. You are just His earthly vessel. Don’t worry and don’t take credit. Just keep moving. (End Commentary Break).

A Hard Road Ahead of Them

Verse 16. “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. Verse 17. But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; Verse 18. and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Verse 19. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. Verse 20. For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.

Verse 21. “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. Verse 22. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Verse 23. “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

The Meaning of Discipleship

Verse 24. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. Verse 25. It is enough for the disciple that he may become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house [footnote ‘u’] Beelzebul, how much more will they insult the members of his household!

Verse 26. “So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Verse 27. What I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops. Verse 28. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Verse 29. Are two sparrows not sold for an [footnote ‘w’] assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Verse 30. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Vesrs 31. So do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.

(Commentary Break: Statics by Barna Group, a Christian oriented research firm, shows that pastors a quitting or are considering quitting ministry for the following reasons:

1. 1. 1. • The immense stress of the job,
         • I feel lonely and isolated,
         • Current political divisions,
         • I am unhappy with the effect this role has had on my family,
         • I am not optimistic about the future of my church,
         • My vision for the church conflicts with the church’s direction,
         • My church is steadily declining,
         • I am not satisfied with my job,
         • I don’t feel respected by the congregants,
         • I don’t feel equipped to cope with ministry demands,
         • I don’t have what I need to be successful in my job,
         • I don’t feel supported by my staff,

Notice the “I”. As hard as it may be to hear, it is not about you, pastor. It about Him. Do your best to get your focus back on Him and His ways. And, re-read the previous verses in this chapter 10 of Matthew for help.

Also, you should know that if Jesus was persecuted, will be persecuted as well. Jesus warned, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (see Matthew 5:11). If you think this verse was referring solely to those outside the church, you are mistaken.

Read Jeremiah 12, verses 5 and 6, “[The LORD rebukes Jeremiah for his impatience, saying] “If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace [where you feel secure], then how will you do [among the lions] in the [flooded] thicket beside the Jordan? For even your [tribal] brothers and the household of your father, even they have dealt treacherously (unfaithfully) with you; indeed they are [like a pack of hounds] howling after you. Do not believe them, although they may say kind words and promise you good things.” This is representative of the unfaithful in the church! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 32. “Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. Verse 33. But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Verse 34. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35. For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.

Verse 37. “The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Verse 38. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Verse 39. The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.

(Commentary Break: It is unfair, almost deceitful, that churches and pastors don’t warn the new Christian what they are going to face after ‘praying that little sinner’s prayer’ in church. It is also unfortunate that Bible colleges and seminaries don’t adequately warn the young minds entering them, what they are actually going to engage upon graduation. It is a war.  A war that will divide families. A war that demands loyalty and obedience or will end with a dishonorable discharge with eternal consequences. It is a spiritual war and you are on the tip of God’s spear!

Here is the warning found in Hebrews 10, verses 32 through 38: “But remember the former days, when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.” (End Commentary Break).

 The Reward for Service

Verse 40. “The one who [welcomes and] receives you [welcomes and] receives Me, and the one who [welcomes and] receives Me [welcomes and] receives Him who sent Me. Verse 41. The one who [welcomes and] receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and the one who [welcomes and] receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person shall receive a righteous person’s reward. Verse 42. And whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

(Commentary Break: These verses shows us the law of reciprocity in action.  Verse 42 could be restated to say, “And whoever gives one of these little ones [those with childlike faith, or anyone endeared to God through faith in Jesus] just a cup of cold water to drink [which is the smallest of gifts but great in a time of need] in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward [of kindness and generosity from God].” (End Commentary Break).

It would be a grave mistake to take this chapter lightly. These are the instructions for all disciples for all the ages. They are the narrow gate and the hard road which leads to great reward.

Luring people to the gates of heaven with false or overstated promises, entertainment, or man-pleasing or woman-pleasing programs or tactics is deceitful and have no place in His Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ, filled and led by the Holy Spirit, exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with it passions and desires. Please, dear friends, THINK ABOUT IT.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 11:1-19, John’s Questions, Jesus’ Tribute.

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