The Gospel According to Matthew
Matthew 10: 1-15
INTRODUCTION: I am home! I am so excited to be home! It has been a long 5 weeks working with the recruiting team at MPA going from one place to the next. We have stayed in some wonderful places, but it is so good to be home.
The passage we are looking at today is an interesting passage. Only in Matthew do we read such a detailed account. Most of this chapter is quoting Jesus, yet the other gospels only give a couple verses to this story. They brush over it or find it unimportant. Matthew on the other hand gives us an entire chapter. So what is this chapter about? This chapter is about Jesus putting together His team. He is training them to go out and do the work.
In preparing to spend 6 weeks of my summer going around the conference with 9 teenagers, I do a lot of work preparing. I am careful who I choose. A lot goes into the selection process. I also try my best to break it down for them. I try my best to lay down some rules and guidelines. This chapter is just that. Jesus preparing His team to go out and do the work He needs done and He is letting them know how to do it.
READ: Matthew 10:1-4
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 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; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
What do we know about these men?
Is there anyone that you relate to?
Anyone you question His wisdom in picking?
What does it say to us, who He picked?
Who has a place in doing the work of God?
What are the requirements?
Jesus didn't just pick the cream of the crop. In fact He did the opposite!
When I pick students for my recruiting team, I of course want the best of the best right?! Yes and no. First I know there is no such thing as a perfect recruiter. For different people I need different personalities. If everyone is gregarious and outgoing it will scare the shy away. If everyone is shy we will never connect with half of the people we come in contact with. I also know that some of the best workers have been those who grow the most from the experience. If they think they are perfect for the job, they are often lacking. Those who are grateful to be chosen, those who want to learn, those are the ones that often yield the most.
Ok so He has picked His group now He is going to give them instructions about their task ahead. First Jesus gives them an overview of what they are to be doing. Where they are to go and what they are to accomplish.
READ: Matthew 10:5-8
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a]drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
So He picks the 12 and then the first thing He says is... "Do NOT go.." I am a big fan of speaking in the positive. I find it interesting that this is so important He starts with the negative and then tells them where they should go.
Who are the Gentiles and where are the towns of the Samaritans?
Why do you think He told them no to go there?
Where did He tell them to go?
What was the message they were to proclaim?
What does that mean?
What is the list He then asks them to do?
What does this list sound like? Or shall I say whom have they seen performing these miracles already?
Is is safe to say that He is asking them also do the work He has been doing, to be an extension of Him. To be His hands etc.
Can we do anything on this list?
Are we called to help out too?
How can I be His hands?
READ: Matthew 10:9-15
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Why were they not to take any money with them? No plan?
What does it mean, "for the worker is worth his keep".
What does it mean by worthy person?
What does it mean "If the home is deserving"
I think we need to explore this a little, because at first blush this sounds like the homes must be good enough. Also when he says the worker is worth his keep, it sounds as if it is a privilege for the disciples to have a place.
The word used in both is: axios: of weight, of worth, worthy
This sounds simple, but when you read more about the meaning of this word it is used to refer to a scale and the balance of the scale. It refers to the counter balance. Here they are to be dependent on hospitality from those who also believe, it is not so much about being perfect but "equally yoked" or of like mind. Worthy in the sense that they too are part of this work. They are the counter balance. They are as equally invested in this process being His hands.
Does this always mean we should just go, and not have a plan, always do the work of God with no money in our pocket? Let's look at another story. This is from the last supper Jesus reminds them and asks if they ever needed for anything. No he gives them new instructions.
Luke 22: 35-36
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
It is safe to say that Jesus' instructions were about this current situation. There first assignment was to reach those who needed reaching among their people. Part of that process was to get others to join them by extending hospitality. To find others that also were equally willing to contribute! Partnering with others would increase the workers and bring them in on the process.
I find it interesting that their first calling was to serve and work within their people. I know evangelism is important and we often look at all that Jesus did, by being with those who were the sinners, yet here when he gives the disciples their first assignment he asks them to first find those who need Him within his people.
Why is there value in doing it this way?
Who am I?
I am called!
I am called to do the work with and for Jesus!
I am called to engage those around me and work with others!
I am called just as broken and imperfect as I am!
Who am I?
Because of who He is?
Because of what He has done for me I am a worker!
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