Chapter 9 is a repeat. That does not mean you should skip it. Read it now with the knowledge you have and see if it all fits.
Chapter 10- Jesus sends out the 12
Huge moment. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: The word apostles means “to send out”. He sends them in pairs. After listing them he gives what is called the Mission Discourse: the mission of the disciples to Israel.
- Sent to the lost sheep (the Jews)
- Responding to persecution
- Bearing witness fearlessly
The apostles were to limit their ministry to the Jews living in Galilee (among the Gentiles) What was the mission?
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
- announce the appearance of a Jewish Messiah
- announce a Jewish kingdom
- provide signs as proof of divine authority
- offer their services free of charge since it was given to them freely
They were told to only go where they were welcomed. If they were not worthy, they were to wipe the dust off their sandals when they left. Picture shaking someone’s hand, and then taking hand sanitizer and wiping your hand in front of them to know they were “unclean”. The Jews would do this when they left a Gentile house so they would understand the body language.
How will they know what to say?? 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 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.
The mystery of the Old Testament is to be revealed! The Gospel is to be shared not kept hidden.
Matthew 515 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
The disciples ARE going to be heavily persecuted! Should they fear it?? (Easy for us to say) 28 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.- Their only fear should be in their master-God.
The Jews believed that a King would come and bring Peace to “them”. Reclaim their land and they would be the world power. He WILL bring peace but not until the second coming. Because many will not recognize Jesus as the Messiah it will divide relationships. He quotes Micah 7.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 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—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever does not pick up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me”- Oh how I have heard this used out of context too many times. The scriptures repeatedly tell us to love one another. True. BUT above ALL we are to Love Him more. “Take up your cross and follow Me” means a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
A person who lives in the present loses the real purpose of life. So what is the Mission Discourse:
- share the Gospel
- help people
- live simply
- move on if you are rejected
- use wisdom and discernment
- expect persecution
- do not be afraid
- remain faithful to God
Where are you on this list?
Reading the Bible - 2021 