Instructions For Ministry (Matthew 10:5-42)

The Lord Jesus gave the apostles specific responsibilities and gifts to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His role as the Promised Messiah would be to not deliver the nation from the bondage of Rome, but to free them and all people from a far worse bondage, that of sin and it deadly, eternal consequences (John 14:6; Romans 3:23, 5:6-11; 6:23). In both Matthew and Luke's account, we are given the means by which He would use His apostles to carry out what would be a "practice run" for the Great Commission. They were to first minister to the people of Israel who were spiritually thirsty and hungry for a touch from God after four hundred years of both silence and the rule of world powers starting with the Babylonians, then the Persians, followed by the Greeks, and now the "iron heel" of the Roman Empire (10:5-6). Most of Israel cried out to be free from all foreign powers and be restored to the glory that had been theirs under great kings such as the beloved David. They were not aware that the Promised Seed of the line of David was in their midst, the rightful heir of the crown. His time would come, but for now, much more important work needed to be accomplished.

The apostles were given the commission to preach the message about the coming kingdom of heaven. This would be fulfilled when Jesus died upon the cross as the final sacrifice and atonement for our sins (John 3:16) and rise from the dead three days later as prophesied (Isaiah 53:1-12). James Boice, in his commentary on Matthew, wrote that "the kingdom of heaven, is the proclamation of a crucified, risen, and returning Christ, both Lord and Savior". The Gospel is the kingly rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. To inherit a share in the kingdom, we are to repent of our sins and believe in Him (10:7; Romans 10:9-10, 13). The apostles were also given the freedom to perform the same signs and wonders as the Lord (v.8). They were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. All of this was a public demonstration of the power and presence of God among the people. This commission was also an exercise in faith and dependence upon the LORD for their needs (vv.9-10). They were instructed to not carry currency or anything else that one might pack for a journey. They were to trust in the LORD as a lesson in faith and trust, something we would do well to imitate.

Jesus gave them a code of conduct when coming into a village or household (vv. 11-15). They were to stay with someone of like mind and spirit and to stay with the person or family until they got ready to leave. They were to grant peace to every household they entered and keep their peace when encountering people or homes that were opposed to the Gospel. If the town or house would not receive the good news, they shook the dust of that place off of their feet. The LORD would handle the problem. Unbelief or hostility towards the Gospel was a worse sin that destroyed both Sodom and Gomorrah. The unbelieving cities would face a harsher punishment from God on the day of judgment. Opposition to the Gospel was going to be part of the persecution (vv.16) they would face. Jesus was sending them out like sheep among the wolves of the world that were determined to tear them apart. Those of us who are Christ's sheep must remain obedient and dependent upon Him and trust Him to care for us. We are not to retaliate but use our common sense and reasoning to assess any situation. They were to stay alert (v.17) and be observant of people and their intentions. There were those who would claim to be friendly towards God and His messengers yet would later hand them over to the religious officials who would punish them in the house of God Himself.

In verses 18-20, Jesus told the apostles to expect being brought before governors (Roman officials) and kings (Herod). This would be an opportunity for them to share the Gospel before not only their countrymen, but later to the Gentile world (Acts 10). Where these situations occur, Jesus told them to not worry about what they should say. The Holy Spirit would give them the words to say in order to present the Word before their captors. The Lord would expound on the work and role of the Holy Spirit in John 16:5-15 on the night of HIs arrest and crucifixion. Persecution would become so severe that families would end up being divided (vv.21-23). Parents would turn their children over to the authorities and vice versa, even being put to death for the sake of the Lord Jesus. Hatred for the apostles and followers of Jesus overall is really hatred for Him. It would be a difficult time to go through, but Jesus encouraged them to instead persevere. There will be false believers who will turn away from Jesus and back to the world (2 Timothy 4:9-10; 1 John 2:19). These people are 'false converts". Jesus is speaking to those who have truly forsaken everything to follow Him. We are to "examine" ourselves as to whether or not we are truly in the faith (2 Peter 1:10). We do not want to hear Jesus tell us on the day of judgment that He never knew us (Matthew 7:21-23). We cannot be content with "lip service" salvation and live like the world at the same time. He also told the apostles to not stay where they were not wanted, but to go to another city and proclaim the Gospel there. We are to work until Jesus comes back (Luke 19:13, 21:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).