Jesus sends out his disciples
Some people work just to gain things for themselves. Jesus does not want disciples who are like this
Jesus sent out the 12 disciples. They would do more together than he could do alone.
Jesus now gave instructions to the 12 disciples. The instructions were about a special task that he had for them to do. The rest of chapter 10 described this.
- Matthew 10:5–15 referred to an immediate task.
- Matthew 10:16–25 referred to a task that was for the future. The disciples would be working among Gentiles (people who are not Jews). This would be after Jesus had died and come back to life.
- Matthew 10:26–42 gave some general teaching about how to be a disciple. This teaching is for everyone, in every age, who follows Jesus.
In Matthew 10:5, Matthew referred to a special task. Jesus wanted his disciples to go to Galilee. (Compare Matthew 28:18–20.) There were probably two reasons for this. First, God had a plan for all the nations. The Jews had a special place in this plan. Jesus was born into a Jewish home. So, God was giving Jews the first chance to accept Jesus. Then, they would take God’s good news to the other nations. (Compare Romans 1:16; 2:9-10 and Acts 13:46.) There was another reason. The disciples were not ready yet to declare God’s word to non- Jews.
Matthew 10:6 described Jews. They were like sheep that had no leader. This may refer to a special group of Jews. But it probably referred to all Jews. It seemed to refer back to Matthew 9:36 and to Ezekiel chapter 34.
The 12 disciples had a message that they must declare. It was the same message as that of John and Jesus. (Read 3:2 and 4:17.) But there was more. Verse 8 described all that the disciples must do. Read 9:35. This verse is about two main things that Jesus did. He declared God’s word and he healed people. In a very special way, they must work for Jesus and do what he would do. (Read Matthew 10:1–2.)
There are some commands in Matthew 10:9–10. They probably showed the practice of Jews at that time. Then, disciples of other Jewish teachers lived in this way. Jesus’ disciples must have the right attitude to physical things. The things of God must come first in their lives. The way that they lived should show this.
God gave freely to them. So, they must give freely to other people (verse 8). They had something that was very precious. They should not keep it to themselves. They should not demand payment for it either. They should give it freely. The disciples must trust God completely.
Jesus’ words showed something else too. The disciples’ work helped other people. And these people should work for God too (Matthew 10:10. Compare Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7–14 and 1 Timothy 5:8.)
Jesus meant that some of his teaching would be for that time only. But, there are principles that are for all ages. The principles apply to a person who does Christian work today. He or she must not be anxious about things. But God’s people have a responsibility for these workers too. They must make sure that workers have what they need.
Matthew 10:11–15 show the times in which Jesus lived. Ancient Israel did not have many hotels. It was not easy for travellers. So, it was important to look after them. (Compare Matthew 9:10; Luke 5:29; 19:5, 10; John 12:1–2; Acts 16:14–15; 18:26; Romans 16:1–2; Philemon 7, 22; 2 Timothy 1:16 and 3 John 8.) This sort of care is still important today. It is evidence that a person is a real disciple. (Read Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:10; Titus 1:8 and Hebrews 13:2.)
The disciples must avoid places that might spoil their work. They must stay in one place in each town. They must not give people the wrong impression. So money, possessions or comforts must not be important to them.
In Israel, there was a usual practice. A person would greet the people of the house as he entered. The disciples must do the same. But, people would not always welcome them. The Pharisees had a custom. It was when they returned to Israel from a foreign land. They would shake the ‘foreign’ dust off their feet. This showed that they were separate from the bad people who were not Jews.
Here, Jesus referred to Jews. Some of them would refuse to believe the disciples’ message. The disciples must behave towards these people as if they were not Jews. They had lost their rights to the benefits of God’s kingdom. They would have God’s judgement. They had had great advantages. So their judgement would be worse.
Questions
- We should obey Jesus completely. What things could stop you from doing this?
- People in many countries have heard the Good News (the gospel). This is a great honour. What meaning does this passage have for them?
- We must tell the Good News about Jesus. This is our responsibility. What methods should we be using today?
