Matthew 10:1-15

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Introduction

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The Twelve Apostles

10 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. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

As we discussed last week Matthew is transitioning us, for a time at least, away from the ministry of Jesus, of what he taught and of what he did, to the commissioning of his twelve close disciples. In fact, in Matthew’s gospel, this is the first time we’re introduced to a complete list of his inner circle. In chapter 4 Matthew recorded for us how four of these twelve men had come to follow Jesus. Those four men were Peter, Andrew, James and John. And later in chapter 9 we saw Matthew, the tax collector, also heed Christ’s call to follow him.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

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And later in chapter 9 we read that,
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9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

So when we get to verse 1 of chapter 10 we’re introduced for the first time to the rest of Jesus’ close disciples. Now, since most of us come to the book of Matthew with these disciples already in mind, we read all of these previous chapters assuming their presence all along. In other words, we assume they’ve all been following Jesus up to this point in the story. For instance, when we started Jesus’ sermon on the mount back in chapter 5 and we read that Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with his disciples, we typically assume that these disciples were the same disciples we see listed here in chapter 10, and I suspect that we’re right to assume that at least some of them were, in fact, there. But it’s important for us to remember that Matthew’s goal isn’t to write a strictly chronological narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry. Instead Matthew’s point is to demonstrate to the Jewish people that through Jesus’ life and ministry, that Jesus is, without a shadow of a doubt, their promised Messiah. So Matthew will often summarize events, and order events in a certain way so as to make his case to the reader.

Disciples and Apostles

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Now let’s read again there starting in verse 1 together,

10 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.

10 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. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

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So up to this point these twelve men have been under the tutelage of Jesus. They’ve tasted his teaching, they’ve observed his life, and they’ve witnessed his works, they’re learning what it looks like to follow Jesus as their rabbi (or teacher), but following Jesus will also mean that they’ll be his messengers - his apostles. They’ll carry Jesus’ message of the kingdom, even after he’s gone, they’ll carry out his works, his entire ministry, they’ll be his witnesses. And they’ll start by going to the lost sheep of Israel.

Delegated authority

The Greek word here in verse 2, translated ‘apostles’, is defined as those who carry with them not only a message, but as those who are authorized representatives of the sender, those whose words carry with them the authority of the sender. That’s why Matthew says that when Jesus called to himself his twelve disciples that he gave them authority. This is a recurring occurrence throughout the Gospels. Mark says in chapter 6 of his gospel that “[Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” And Luke says in chapter 9 of his gospel that [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.”

gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

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Therefore to reject Jesus’ apostles would be tantamount to rejecting Jesus himself. It’s why Jesus can later say in verse 15,
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15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Therefore to reject Jesus’ apostles would be tantamount to rejecting Jesus himself. It why later Jesus can say,
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15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. ()

Twelve tribes of Israel

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It’s also significant that Jesus has called to himself twelve close disciples. There’s little doubt that Jesus’ selection of the twelve is symbolically related to the the twelve tribes of Israel, who, of course, came from Jacob’s twelve sons. And some of Matthew’s readers may have even remembered that Moses also appointed twelve tribal leaders over Israel in the Book of Numbers.
Moreover, this symbolism is later affirmed in when Jesus says this to his disciples,

“Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

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Authority

So these twelve will carry with them the authority of Christ not only in this life but even, in some respects, into the next, into the age to come. It’s Jesus’ divine authority that will back their proclamation of the gospel, and it’s Jesus’ divine authority that will give them power over unclean spirits and the power to heal the sick. The same signs and wonders that accompany Jesus will also accompany his disciples.

The lost sheep of Israel

And so then he tells them to go to the lost sheep of Israel, we read there starting in verse 5,

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

Now, at first, it may seem strange to us as Gentile believers (that is believers who are not of Jewish descent) that Jesus explicitly tells his disciples not to go to the Gentiles, or to the Samaritans. But as Gentile believers removed 2,000 years from Jesus’s life on earth, we have to understand that this a part of God’s overarching plan of salvation, that he would first come to his people, who are of the house of Israel, and that eventually, because of Israel’s large scale rejection of their Messiah, that God would later send his disciples to the Gentiles as well. It’s why Paul says things like this in his letter to the church in Rome,’

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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And in the OT we see a frequent refrain that those who are not by nature God’s people will become his people. In fact, Paul quotes from Hosea in Romans 9 and says,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’

and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ”

26  “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’

there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ”

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This is why Paul describes us Gentile believers as being grafted in. We’re not some other group of people completely separate from the believing house of Israel, but rather Paul actually describes us as “the Israel of God.” () By faith we are grafted into the vine, who is Jesus himself. So it should be of little to no surprise that, on the outset, Jesus is sending his disciples to the house of Israel, because Jesus is first and foremost Israel’s Messiah before he is ours.

Sent out

So Jesus sends his disciples out to to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (or the good news of the kingdom) and for his mighty works to accompany them. So their message is to be the good news of the kingdom and their works are to be the signs of that kingdom’s inauguration. This is why Jesus says in to,

9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.

9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.

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The miraculous works that would accompany the disciples would give immediate evidence to their hearers that the kingdom of heaven had come.

Give without pay

And at the end of verse 8 he tells them to do all of this without pay, for “you received without paying; give without pay.” The disciples had received this good news of the kingdom freely, therefore they’re to give it to others freely. They are not to peddle the gospel, they’re not to make money off the gospel, instead they’re to proclaim it freely and to rely upon God to feed them and to clothe them on their journey. It’s why I think Jesus continues in verse 9 by saying,

9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.

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We see this same idea played out in the early church when Paul refused to receive financial help from the church in Corinth, saying that he’d do whatever he had to do so as not put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. ()
Now, it’s not that the church isn’t responsible for taking care of its leaders and those who are its teachers, for Paul also teaches that we shouldn’t muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, but the point is that money should never be used as an obstacle to the hearing of the gospel. The gospel isn’t for sale. Therefore, Jesus reassures his disciples that God will take care of them.

Trusting God’s provision

The disciples are not to acquire money for their journey, they’re not to take a supply bag for their journey, they’re not to take extra clothing or shoes or even a new walking stick for their journey, they’re to trust that because a laborer deserves his wages, that God will not be unfaithful to them, that he will supply them. They’re to trust in his provision. That’s what Jesus aims to teach them here, and the disciples are to put this into practice as they journey from town to town.
The disciples are to put this into practice as they journey from town to town. However, I don’t take this text to mean that we’re not to make any preparations for our own journeys when we deliver the gospel to the unreached people groups of the world, but rather I take Jesus’ words here to commend us to trust in his hand of providence, and not in our own means. We are to go knowing that we will rely wholly upon him for our daily bread, that we will rely upon God to give us room and board as we carry the gospel message with us from place to place. We are not to be weighed down by too many things, but to travel light, and to trust in our Lord.
However, I don’t take this text to mean that we’re not to make any preparations for our own journeys when we deliver the gospel to unbelievers, but rather I take Jesus’ words here to commend us to trust in his hand of providence, and not in our own means. We are to go knowing that we must rely wholly upon him for our daily bread, that we will rely upon God to give us room and board as we carry the gospel message with us from place to place. We are not to be weighed down by too many things, but to travel light, and to trust in our Lord.

Take up your moneybag and knapsack

I believe this is the case for two reasons, 1) because it’s the principle outlined here in the text, and 2) because Jesus will later tell his disciples that after his crucifixion that they’re to take up their moneybags and their knapsacks, and that their journey going forward, after his crucifixion, will be dangerous. We read in ,

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”

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This indicates to us that these instructions here in were in some sense unique to Jesus’ disciples while he was on earth, yet at the same time still applicable in principle to us even today. It’s almost as if their training in was about to reach it’s earthly conclusion, and that Jesus was warning them that the road ahead would be hard, and to prepare, and therefore to continue trusting in his hand of providence as they went.
Which is indication that these instructions were in some sense unique to Jesus’ disciples while he was on earth, yet at the same time application in principle to us even today.

Application

Now, I want to take some time to make some application. What’s the point of this text today and what does it mean for us. Well, the point of this text and what it means for us is simply this, go. To take the message of the gospel to unbelievers.

Proclaim and use words

Now, in our day it’s popular to hear things like, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” While I get the sentiment of that statement, what it teaches, however, is something completely contrary to the Scriptures. Preaching the Gospel always involves using words. However, what’s often meant by this statement is that our life should be in step with the gospel we preach, and that’s most certainly true, but this misleading statement typically gives us reason to never open our mouths. Whereas the use of our words is essential to the proclamation of the gospel. If you’re not using words when sharing the gospel with your friends, then you’re not sharing the gospel. For Paul asks us,
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent?  … 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ()
As Christians we’re all called to proclaim the gospel to those around us, we’re all commissioned to take the good news of the kingdom to those who haven’t heard it, and we must use words. Our good deeds will never save anyone apart from using our words to share the gospel.
Now, some of us are more or less inclined to open our mouths, whether it’s because of our personalities, our dispositions, or our fears, but either way all of us, without distinction are commanded to share the gospel with those around us. Whether it’s our children, our neighbors, our family, our coworkers we are have the joy of sharing the message that Christ has given us. Our love for Christ ought to compel us, our love for Christ ought to motivate us to overcome the obstacles that otherwise stand in our way of proclaiming his message.

Illustration

Before I moved back to Unalaska I worked as a sales associate in a retail pet store, so obviously, one of the primary duties I was tasked with was to sell. And one thing that I learned was that if there was a product that I knew nothing about, or knew was a useless or bad product, I simply couldn’t bring myself to sell it. It didn’t matter what the financial incentive was, or how much pressure my boss put on me, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
On the other hand if I was tasked to sell a product that I liked I had no problem being an evangelist for that particular product. In fact, I would constantly point it out to every customer who I thought might need it, because I knew it was a great product. The product was enough to motivate me to sell it, to tell all of our customers about it.
Now, Jesus is by no means a product to be sold, that’s not at all my point, but he is the most wonderful person in all the created universe. He is our God who made us, and is our God who saves us. He was born to die that we might have eternal life, that our sins might be forgiven. You see the message of the gospel is to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In other words, repent of your sins because your savior and your king is here, and for those who trust in him he will give them the kingdom. And that’s better news than any product I could ever sell or any person that I’ll ever meet. When I grab a hold of the Gospel, when I behold the beauty of my savior and his love for me it ought to be impossible to keep silent!
That’s better news than any product I could ever sell or any person that I’ll ever meet. When I grab a hold of the Gospel, when I behold the beauty of my savior, it ought to be impossible to keep silent!
You see, the solution to your fear of sharing the Gospel is the Gospel, the solution is the Gospel itself. Our love for Christ should be such that we’re overwhelmed and consumed with joy, so much so that no one can keep us quiet. Therefore if we’re silent, it’s only because we have a gospel problem. We love something else more than Christ, if we’re silent we haven’t reveled in the beauty of the Gospel enough. So as Christians we must constantly meditate on the glory of the Gospel, because we’re so prone to forget. It’s why gathering week in and week our to worship is so important, to stoke the fires of our hearts toward God.

Do not throw your pearls before swine

Now, before we close let’s look at the last portion of our text today there starting in verse 12,

12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Jesus tells them to be discerning in their proclamation of the gospel, not to throw their pearls before swine, to those who would otherwise only trample them underfoot, and to turn to attack you. This is why Jesus tells them that if anyone does not receive them or listen to their words to shake off the dust from their feet when they leave that house.
Jews were known to visibly shake the dust off their clothing whenever returning from Gentile lands as a sign of contempt. So Jesus seems to take this visible sign of contempt and apply it to those who reject him and his apostles. This is why Jesus follows it with,
This is why Jesus tells them that if anyone does not receive them or listen to their words to shake off the dust from their feet when they leave that house. Jews were known to visibly shake the dust off their clothing whenever returning from Gentile lands as a sign of contempt. So Jesus seems to take this visible sign of contempt and apply that judgement to those who reject him and his apostles. This is why Jesus follows it with these words,

15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

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You see, as his disciples we carry with us his authority to proclaim the gospel, and if people reject us they are in essence rejecting Christ himself. This is why Jesus can say that it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for them. That’s a terrifying indictment for those who reject the gospel, for they compound their prior condemnation by rejecting God’s offer of salvation.
Remember, when you share the gospel with someone and they reject it, they’re not rejecting you they’re rejecting their maker. You are not responsible to save them, you’re not responsible for their accepting or rejecting of Christ, you’re responsible for delivering the message. The burden of conversion is on the shoulders of our savior, and he is able to save anyone, for nothing is impossible with God.

Prayer

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