We have been studying the gospel of Matthew. Let me get a running start on today’s lesson in chapter 10 by reviewing briefly the message of Matthew thus far:
What is in the first chapter? The genealogy of Jesus and Joseph’s story. Verse 21 is the key verse: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
What’s in chapter two? The wise men who worship Jesus and the foolish king who tries to kill him. Jesus is an international figure from before birth, and a national threat from the start.
What’s in chapter three? John the Baptist preaches repentance and Christ’s coming, baptizing sinners in the Jordan river. Lo and behold, Jesus, the Christ, comes to John to be baptized! The Christ joins company with us sinners in his baptism.
What’s in chapter four? Jesus faces Satan and overcomes his temptations with the word of God. Then Jesus begins his ministry preaching the same message as John: “Repent! The Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Verse 25 says: “Great multitudes followed Him – from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan.”
Chapters 5-7 are the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world and challenges us to a righteousness that goes deep into the heart of God. Indeed, being like God is the sermon’s central theme. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Do not store up treasures on earth, but store up treasures in heaven. You can not serve two masters!
Chapters 8-9 are snapshots of Jesus’ authority and ministry. In chapter 9 opposition arises from the Jewish religious leaders and we see how Jesus handles that.
The disciples have been taught by Jesus, trained under his ministry, and today we see how he sent them out.
Matthew 10…
There are at least 20 points in this amazing little instruction section by Jesus for the apostle’s first mission. This event is clearly not only a work of declaring the kingdom of God, but also a training experience to prepare them for the ultimate great commission to the whole world. Below are some of the things covered in this passage:
Here’s where you go. (5-6)
Here’s what you preach. (7)
Here’s what you do. (9-10 & following)
Here’s who you stay with. (11)
Here’s how you treat them. (12-15)
Here’s what you are to be like. (16)
Here’s what to watch out for. (17)
Here’s how the opposition will treat you. (17-18)
Here’s how to answer them. (19-20)
Here’s how bad it will get. (21-22)
Here’s how to respond when it gets bad. (23)
Here’s why they’ll treat you like this. (24-25)
Here’s what not to be afraid of. (26-28)
Here’s who to really be afraid of. (28)
Here’s why you have nothing to fear. (28-31)
Here’s what I’ll do for you. (32-33)
Here’s what I came for. (34-36)
Here’s how to be worthy of me, or not. (37-38)
Here’s how to find life by losing it. (39)
Here’s what will happen to those who receive you (or not). (40-42)
This discourse is very loaded and concise. In it Jesus shares with us tremendous insights into the first century efforts of spreading the kingdom of God. Here we see the apostle’s initiation into evangelistic ministry. Matthew chapter 10 has been dubbed “the limited commission” by commentators. What this means is that Jesus sent these 12 men on a short term mission trip that had clearly marked boundaries within the nation of Israel. This will just be the beginning for them. Jesus has not finished his own great work of salvation yet, therefore this is a preparatory mission. But, on the other hand, as the Lord continued to give instructions to them there is also an international scope that comes to light. In verses 18-19 Jesus describes testifying before governors and kings and even the Gentiles. Is this a foreshadowing of the conclusion of Matthew’s gospel? After Jesus finished the work of redemption by his death and resurrection, Jesus sends these same men (minus Judas who betrayed him) into all the world with the gospel, the great commission.
So, what’s in this for us?
We can learn a great deal by listening in on this earlier commission of Jesus to the twelve. God inspired this to be recorded not just so we could know that the apostles went on a mission trip before Jesus died and rose again, but to teach us things about God’s heart for us today. You see, God has always been a missionary God. As we read the entire story of scripture, God has been on a mission from the beginning! Creation itself reveals this about God. Why did God make this universe? What has God been doing throughout our history?
Within the first three chapters of Genesis, the Bible reveals both our creation and fall. We were made to be like God, but fell away from him into sin and separation from God by following a liar. God is on a mission to reclaim us, redeem us, and restore us to himself. We meet Satan who is also on a mission to steal, kill and destroy God’s creation. Satan’s attempt to destroy God’s image in us has served to unveil the sacrificial, saving compassion of God for sinners as well as God’s holy wrath against all sin. Creating people in God’s image or bringing people back to God’s image has always been the mission of God. The Bible tells us from cover to cover that the greatest crisis in a human existence is separation from God. The greatest blessing for us is returning to God and walking with God.
Is that true? If it is not, the entire Bible is a lie. But if it is true, then everything that distracts us from God is a lie. Question: Who will we listen to? Who will we put our trust in: God or ourselves? God’s word tells us plainly: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Pro. 3:5-6). Also, as Romans 3:4 says: “Let God be true and every man a liar…” The Christian trusts in God through Jesus Christ alone.
God has spoken to humanity over and over and in many ways as Hebrews 1 tells us. But God’s message and mission heart is most clearly seen and heard in Jesus Christ, who our heavenly Father sent to save us. God did this when we were his enemies. He did it when we were separated from him by our sins. He did it when we were powerless and dead in our trespasses and sins. (Romans 5 and Ephesians 2 explain this). God is a God with a missionary heart toward those who are lost.
But what is going on in our text? Part of what Jesus is doing in Matthew 10 is forming this missionary heart of God into these 12 men. Jesus is not simply giving them a job to do; he is shaping their identity and building the heart of God into their hearts and lives. Jesus is making these disciples into men that are more like God. You see if God is love and his heart is truely the heart of a missionary, then for us to be like him, we need to develop that same missionary heart as well.
That is what Matthew 10 is all about. Jesus is making his disciples taste and participate in the things nearest to the heart of God. Jesus has already reminded us of that in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world!” You and I are made in God’s image to shine the light of God’s glory in this world. This is declared everywhere in the New Testament: Eph. 5:1-2, 8-14; Phil. 2:13-15; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Revelation 22:17.
Every Christian is called to participate in the mission of God In this world. That does not mean that every Christian needs to pack up and move to a foreign land… in fact, that is not the image we see anywhere in the Bible. We are called to be a light for the Lord wherever we are. Jesus saves us and equips us and authorizes us to live for Him and reach out and call others to Him. When you do this, you can expect opposition. You can expect rejection. You can expect misunderstanding and perhaps even persecution. In a word, you can expect to be treated like you represent God because indeed, you do. But you can also expect that some will respond in faith and obedience to God’s call.
Not long after we had moved to Lancaster, NH, a young man named Kevin had come to church with us while a visiting preacher named Tony was staying with us. Tony had shared the gospel of Jesus with Kevin, who was about 17 years old. Kevin believed and accepted Christ in baptism. But, when he went home and told his mother about it she was angry and warned Kevin to stay away from us. Kevin called us distraught about his mother’s reaction so Tony and I went to visit her. When she saw us and found out who we were she started swearing at us and accusing us of all kinds of crazy things! She turned to walk off and I was ready to leave, but Tony, said, “Wait a minute, you need to listen! What Kevin has decided is important for you too!” She wheeled around and said, “Who do you think you are?” Tony, who reminds me of Darrel Wyke, stood up tall and said, “We represent God!” That was the first time I’d ever heard anyone actually say that. Then the strangest thing happened. She put her hands to her face and just started crying. Tony stepped over and quietly said, “I can see that you are not happy. But we are only here to help.” Then he started trying to minister to her and share the gospel with her. It was beautiful!
Looking through all the instructions of Jesus to the disciples in Matthew 10 reminds us that following Jesus into mission work is serious business. This is not a job for the casual church goer who easily finds excuses not to attend all the assemblies of the church. It is not a job for the carnal Christian whose heart is entangled with the things of the world so much that he or she looks and acts in ways that embarrasses Jesus instead of honoring him. It is not a job for the cowardly Christian who is more afraid of what others think about him or her than concerned with what pleases God. Following Jesus into mission work requires commitment and dedication to him above and beyond even close family ties. It requires being filled with love and devotion for the honor of God and deep conviction that everyone desperately needs the Lord.
Mission commitment is an amazing thing. Did you hear the story about British Dr. Karen Woo in this week’s news? She was shot to death in Afghanistan along with 10 other medics who were working with a Christian charity bringing medical treatment to remote villages there. She gave up a well-paid job with a private healthcare provider to work in Afghanistan for minimal financial reward. Why?
Take a piece of paper and put your name on it: under your name write out what you see as three defining characteristics that describe who you are. Pick the one that most clearly defines you.
That characteristic is going to shape the mission of your life. Jesus invites you to give that to God.
Whatever it is that defines who you are, surrender it to Jesus Christ and use it for God’s glory.
