The Little Commission.

THE LITTLE COMMISSION.

Matthew 10:1-42.

Jesus spoke of a plenteous harvest, ripe for the picking. ‘Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest’ (Matthew 9:37-38). Immediately after this saying, Jesus commissioned His disciples.

MATTHEW 10:1. The disciples were given the same power and authority “over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and over ALL sickness and ALL kinds of disease” as Jesus had Himself already displayed.

MATTHEW 10:2-4. And this commissioning sees the disciples now named “apostles” or “sent ones.”

MATTHEW 10:5-6. These apostles were sent first of all “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This limitation is a matter of history. The Great Commission would follow in due time (cf. Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16).

MATTHEW 10:7. So what did this ‘little mission’ involve? It involved the Apostles doing as Jesus has been doing. It was the beginning of an extension of His own ministry of compassion (cf. John 14:12). Their message was the same as His (cf. Matthew 4:17). Notice that the good news comes first, ahead of the ‘signs’ (as the Apostle John would later repeatedly call miracles).

MATTHEW 10:8a. The empowering of the twelve included those things which Jesus had already been doing: healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, casting out devils. Thus they are seen to have been conferred with His authority.

The same pattern remains for the Church, even as the Little Commission opens out into the Great Commission. Our care for souls gives priority to preaching, but there are other ministries in the Church, designed to minister to people in their everyday needs. If we have Jesus’ heart of compassion, we will not only look upon our congregations as so many ‘souls’ to be ‘saved’ but will also have a part to play in ministering to their bodily needs.

MATTHEW 10:8b. “Freely you (plural) have received,” said Jesus. So, He instructed, “freely give.”

MATTHEW 10:9. This is reflected in the apparent poverty of that first mission, where the Apostles would have ample opportunity to experience His provision of all their necessaries (cf. Luke 22:35).

MATTHEW 10:10. Codes of dress do have their place in mission work. Cynics could be recognised by their dress: an old cloak and a staff. Essenes were known as ‘Brethren of the White Clothing.’ There are no hard and fast rules for Christian workers: but it is probably best to be smart, well presented; but not looking like clones of each other, or as if we belong to some sect.

It is interesting to observe that pilgrims entering the Temple were not allowed to wear sandals nor carry a staff. Witnessing is an act of worship. Missions to less-friendly climes and times might expect another instruction (cf. Luke 22:36).

MATTHEW 10:11a. It is a matter of courtesy in our own missions to seek out those who might be deemed “worthy” in the place to which we are going. If there is already a church in that place, then it would be presumptuous to come in treading on everyone’s toes.

MATTHEW 10:11b. This was, after all, initially, a Home Mission, where the Apostles might expect to receive at least some courteous consideration. They would preach freely (cf. Matthew 10:8b) and accept hospitality. When we preach, we need nothing more than the gospel itself (cf. Matthew 6:33).

MATTHEW 10:12-14. 'Peace be to all in this house,' says the Christian Visitor upon entering any homestead. If the household fails to receive the blessing, it will not be because it was not offered. We need not trouble ourselves but must “shake off the dust of our feet” with dignity.

MATTHEW 10:15. It is well that it is God who is the judge in such matters. But what a terrible thing it is to refuse the light of the gospel. Jesus’ solemn word is, “Amen I say unto you: It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.”

MATTHEW 10:16. “Behold,” says Jesus, as one showing them something remarkable: “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” We must never presume to go unless we are sure that He is sending us! The challenges of “sheep” among “wolves” are more than mere man can overcome, so we need to be “wise” in not courting persecution, and “harmless” in our behaviour - even in the face of persecution.

MATTHEW 10:17-18. “But beware of men,” says Jesus - because there will be persecution. The Book of Acts, and the entire history of the Christian church testifies to this.

MATTHEW 10:19-20. When they are hauled before the courts, or just put on the spot, the Lord often gives an impromptu word in season from the mouth of His servants. This is where we need to be strong, and draw upon the resources which the Lord has placed within us (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16).