Bible Materials

Matthew 10:1-15

by Paul Choi   06/07/2015   Matthew 10:1~15

Message


Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:1-15

Key Verse: 10:7, 8 “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

  Last week we studied about Jesus’ compassion and his vision for the world. When Jesus saw the crowd, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So he asked his disciples to pray to God the Father, who is the Lord of harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field. Jesus saw the world, which is filled with lost souls, as a harvest field. Where are our harvest fields? Our harvest fields are not only the students on campus, but also our family members at home, co-workers at our workplace, classmates in school, and even strangers on public transportation.  Two years ago, Peter Pei met a homeless person at a Metro station near downtown. He had compassion on him and shared the gospel with him and met his material needs. The result was not as favorable as Peter had expected. But later he thanked God because he did it for Christ’s sake and his reward in heaven would be great. Jesus said in verse 42, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Let us pray that God may send many workers into harvest fields such as Wash U., SLU, UMSL, Webster U. and campuses in St. Louis. Amen.

  Jesus not only asked his disciples to pray for harvest workers, but also he sent them as harvest workers to the harvest field. In today’s passage we will study how Jesus called his twelve disciples, who they were, and what instructions he gave them for their evangelic journey.

First, Jesus called the Twelve. (1-4) Look at verse 1. “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Mark’s gospel explains how Jesus called his twelve disciples. “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mk 3:13-15)  Jesus often went up on a mountainside to pray. Jesus prayed hard before he chose the twelve. According to John’s gospel Jesus said that the disciples were chosen and sent by God the Father. (Jn 17:6,9) Jesus also called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. Here we learn that the disciples of Jesus were chosen by the initiation and operation of God’s divine sovereignty, not by human will or desire. Jesus said to his disciples in John’s gospel, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last…” (Jn 15:16) Some of us came here as missionaries. Others came to join our campus ministry. Still others followed their parents here. By whatever reasons and purposes we have, we came here by God’s divine sovereignty. Do you agree with me?

  Someone said that calling is blessing. God called Abraham and made him a blessing for the whole world. When we respond to God’s calling, we enter into the world of God’s blessing. After Jesus called the Twelve, he gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. This authority, the authority of exorcism and healing, belongs to Christ Jesus. Jesus gave his twelve disciples the same power and authority for their evangelical journey.

  Who are the Twelve? Look at verses 2-4. “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.” Except for Judas Iscariot, the rest of the disciples were from Galilee. Here is a common point between the twelve. All the twelve disciples of Jesus were ordinary people. They were not religious leaders like the Pharisees or political figures like the Sadducees or Herodians. They were unschooled rank and file: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and so on. Jesus chose his disciples from lowly and ordinary people so that God’s power might be displayed through their lives and ministry. This reminds us of Paul’s statement in his letter to the saints in Corinth, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor 1:27-29)  God is not exclusive in choosing his servants. In the Old Testaments God called his prophets from various social positions. Some were priests (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah). Others were officials (Daniel, Nehemiah). Still others were a shepherd (Hosea, Amos) and a peasant (Elisha). God spoke to them and delivered his message to his people through them.

  Because there is no elitism in God’s calling, we all have hope in God. All those who respond to God’s calling become disciples of Jesus. Jesus does not look at our human conditions or situations. He does not look at our education level, amount of income, school grades, nationalities, or so on. He calls us according to his will. We did not choose him, but Jesus chose us. This is blessing! Our poor human conditions may be great spaces for God’s power to be displayed. The poorer conditions we have, the more we depend on God. The weaker the situations in which we are, the stronger the power of God will be revealed. This is why God does not use proud men, who depend on themselves, but humble men, who depend on God alone. One girl bragged about her academic performance. She looked down on those who were not smart. God couldn’t work in her life because she didn’t need God. But one day she confronted a difficulty in her school study. It was out of her control. She repented and humbly depended on God. God accepted her repentance and blessed her school life. Now she is learning how to depend on God in all aspects of her life. Our qualification to be a disciple of Jesus is not our human condition but our obedience. God uses those who respond to his calling. God works through those who humbly seek him and depend on him. God displays his power and glory through whom he chooses.

Second, go to the lost sheep of Israel (5-8) Jesus gave instructions to the Twelve before he sent them on the mission journey. Loot verses 5,6. “These Twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus sent them to the Jews first. Doesn’t Jesus love the Gentiles and the Samaritans? Yes, he loves them and wants to save them, too. But this is the reason why Jesus sent his disciples to the Jews first. His disciples were not ready spiritually or environmentally to evangelize the gentiles. This was their first mission trip. They were beginners in the harvest field. Another reason why Jesus sent them to the Jews first was Jesus’ deep compassion for his people, his promises to Abraham, and his hope for the Jews. At that time the Jews rejected Jesus. They did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Still, Jesus loved them and wanted to save them first. The Jews - the Israelites - are descendants of Abraham. They are God’s first born son. (Ex 4:22) They are God’s treasured possessions, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Ex 19:5,6) They abandoned God and rejected Jesus, but God’s heart still went out to them. This is the same as a father’s heart for his rebellious children. Even though his children rebel against their parents and go on their own way, they are still precious children to their parents. Their parents’ hearts are for their children despite their difficult relationship. We don’t need to explain why parents love their own children more than others. 

Here we learn about Jesus’ deep compassion on his people and his faithfulness to Abraham. The Apostle Paul shared Jesus’ heart in the book of Romans. (ch. 9-11) Paul confessed that he had a great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart. (Ro 9:3,4a) He continued, “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel…” Paul was chosen for the Gentiles. Still, his heart was for his people. He often said in his letters, “First for the Jew, then for the gentiles.” (Ro 1:16, 2:10) Wherever he visited the city, he went to the Jewish synagogues first.  Who are the lost of Israel for us? As for me, they are those who were once saved, but fell away from their faith. They are lost sheep. They are our children, our family members, and our friends who left their life of faith and are wandering in the darkness of sin. Jesus wants us to visit them and bring them back to him. May God grant us compassion on them and faith to bring them again to Christ Jesus. Amen.

  What was their mission? Look at verses 7,8. “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Their mission was to proclaim the message of the kingdom of heaven and to heal the sick. The message of the kingdom of heaven is the gospel, which is the good news of great joy for all peoples on earth. Is there any better news on earth than the news of eternal life and the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is our ultimate goal and hope for this life on earth. Jesus gave the Twelve authority and power to heal the sick and to drive out demons. The disciples couldn’t do anything by their own ability. But when the power of God came upon them, they could do all things. Jesus said, “If you can? All things are possible for those who believe.” (Mk 9:23)

  Jesus said to his disciples before he left this world, “…whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (Jn 14:12) Jesus believed that his disciples could do great things by the power of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. We, who are called to be his disciples in this generation, also can do great things by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised and gave us authority and power.(Mt 28:19,20, Mk 16:15-18) I pray that we all may proclaim the good news and experience the power of God in our lives and in our ministry.

  Jesus said, “Freely you have received; freely give.” This means that his disciples should not expect material benefit or recognition from their evangelical work. They do the work of God only by God’s grace. By God’s grace they are called, so by God’s grace they share the good news and heal the sick. This reminds of Paul’s confession, “But by God’s grace I am what I am. I work harder than all of them, yet not I but the grace of God that was with me…” (1 Cor 15:10)

Third, depend on God alone (9-15) Look at verses 9-10. “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” Jesus taught his disciples not to take anything for their evangelical journey. This was because Jesus wanted them to depend on God alone, not on money or any possessions. None of the Twelve had gold or silver because they were all poor. Jesus also commanded them not to take any extra clothes. Jesus wanted them to receive support from the people whom they visited. The disciples were the envoys of God. They were the ambassador of Christ Jesus, the Lord of lords and King of kings. They were worthy to receive support from the people whom they visited. The Apostle Paul also said in 1 Timothy 5:18, “For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Therefore, it is not shameful that Jesus’ disciples received material support from others while they were doing the work of God.

  Jesus also gave instructions his disciples what to say and what to do when they visited houses. Look at verses 11-15. “Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah of the day of judgment than for that town.” Jesus asked his disciples to bless all the houses they visit with peace. They greeted their hosts saying, “Salom”, which means “Peace.” If the host welcomed the disciples, peace would rest on the house. If not, peace would return to the disciples. That house didn’t deserve God’s peace. Jesus’ disciples were not responsible for their hosts’ response, but were responsible for warning them. Suppose someone sits next to you on a plane or a bus.  You are responsible to share the gospel with them. You are not responsible for their acceptance.  Therefore, Jesus’ disciples did not need to beg for their acceptance. The disciples had spiritual authority over all those whom they met and to whom they preached.

  Those who go out to evangelize need humility. Humble people pray to God. They pray before they leave their house. Through prayer they depend on God. Through prayer they are led by the Holy Spirit. When they pray, the Holy Spirit gives them words and wisdom, and opens the hearts of those who listen. Reaching out, what we call ‘fishing’, requires our complete dependence on God.

  In today’s passage we learned how Jesus called his disciples and who they were. Jesus’ disciples were called by God’s divine sovereignty according to his good purpose. We are ambassador of Christ Jesus. We have spiritual authority and power given by the Lord of lords and King of kings. But we must be humble and gentle. We must be faithful to our master Jesus Christ. I pray that God may make all of us harvest workers and disciples of Jesus who proclaim the kingdom of heaven in this generation. Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 16:15,16, “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Amen!


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