Year 2, Week 32, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Matthew 10, 14.

Today’s reading records two segments of Jesus’ ministry and instruction. Matthew 10 is the second block of teaching that Matthew structures his Gospel account around (the others are Matthew 5-7,13,18,24-25). Matthew 10 records instructions from Jesus concerning some of the challenges that His disciples would face in obeying Him: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household” (Matthew 10:24-25). As He sends out His followers, Jesus informs them of what they would face. Matthew 14 opens with the beheading of John the Baptist, but also notes some of Jesus’ miracles including the power to enable five loaves and two fish enough to feed five thousand: “And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:20-21). Even as Jesus sends His disciples into difficult settings, they will have everything that they need to complete the work that they are sent to accomplish.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the calling that Jesus placed on His disciples. Prior to the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20), there is what we might label the initial or preliminary commission: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction…These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:1,5-7). Jesus had just finished telling His disciples to pray to the “Lord of the harvest” (9:38) for workers, and now Jesus answers their prayer by calling the twelve disciples to embark on their mission. While this initial commission focuses on a mission to the Jews, even before this chapter is finished, the mission to Gentiles is introduced: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:16-19).

As Jesus sends His disciples out into troubling situations, he provides instructions: “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:19-22a). Jesus warns His disciples that they will be sent out among dangerous men, but He admonishes His disciples to not be anxious over what they would need to say, for the Spirit will help them. They may even face death, but Jesus promises: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22b). The assumption throughout this whole section of instruction is that following Jesus will be hard and dangerous. If the One who is Lord faces hardship and danger, so will those who see to faithfully follow.

Not only does Jesus admonish His followers to not be consumed with worry over their circumstances that will arise from following Him, He also admonishes His disciples to not be crippled with fear: “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:26-28). Jesus redirects them from the temptation to fear men by commanding them to fear God even more, for what men can do would have its limits, but what God can do has no limits. But Jesus did more than admonish them against fear, He also encouraged them with the reality of the Father’s care: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:29-33). Reminiscent of Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus reminds His disciples that if the Father gives constant supervision to insignificant creatures, surely he will also care for His disciples.

Jesus highlights that whatever cost or danger that His disciples face, they will actually be gaining true life: “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39). Jesus directs His disciples to seek the will of the Father regardless of the high cost. For Jesus, the high cost of pursuing His Father’s will, will be the horrible humiliation and gruesome death on a Cross. Those who follow Jesus must be prepared for the same kind of experience. But also like Jesus, there is no other pathway to life but through following the pathway that Jesus has gone on before us.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe

Ministries
Journey through the Scriptures