Matthew 10: Marching Orders

How to Answer God When He Calls

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.

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.

God BEFORE He (Train like you fight)

• Matthew differentiates between disciples and apostles.
  • Jesus had many disciples (students of the rabbi), but he had chosen 12 apostles (those who are sent)
• Jesus calls 12 students, then sends them to be apostles.
• Christ discipled in His teaching but also His example
  • This is something even the secular world recognizes
    • I work, you watch > I work, you help > You work, I help > You work, I watch

*We must be taught before we are called to a specific mission. Many try to execute a calling without first being taught/disciple.

God gives the and to achieve your calling (Rules of Engagement)

• Think of Moses, God has always given the power and authority to those who remain faithful to their calling.
  • If you find yourself operating off your own power, then maybe your operating outside your calling
• In Matthew 11 Jesus says, “the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it.”
  • Jesus is at war!

God sets theof your calling (Area of Operations)

• The term for “instructions” is a military term as one of a commander to his troops
• Jesus gave them boundaries. He defined which community to serve at that time.
• Many attempt to operate outside the boundaries of their calling AT THAT TIME.
  • Frustration develops, they seem ineffective, and feel powerless.

God sets the and of your calling (Commanders Intent)

• Notice how specific Jesus is. Jesus specifically appoints:
  • Community = “lost sheep of Israel”
  • Message = “The Kingdom of Heaven has come near”
  • Practical Ministry = “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans lepers, drive out demons”
• “Kingdom of Heaven” is the most used phrase in Matthew
  • “place of gnashing of teeth” is second most used

*When we try to change or ignore elements of Christ’s message, we unlawfully usurp Christ’s rightful place

*Any message we give, let it be the full message so we leave no one with excuse (See Acts 20:26)

God sets the for your calling (Fight as a unit)

• Jesus did not just give mission, but He assigned teams to accomplish together
  • Many try the lone wolf approach to faith because people are annoying
• In true rabbinical fashion, Matthew lists the disciples of highest to lowest honor (Peter first, Judas last)
• Each team was common sense pairings and served a specific community, circle of influence, or commonality
  • Team 1: Peter and Andrew (Brothers) – Middle-class to poor
  • Team 2: James and John Zebedee (Brothers) – Upper-middle class to Rich
    • Owned a second home in Jerusalem (John 18))
    • Gained access to High-priest home (John 18)
  • Team 3: Phillip and Nathanial – Bartholomew (Best Friends/lifelong ministry companions) – Devouted to God
    • Followers of John the Baptist (John 1:43-51)
    • Seen as praying and studying in time of devotion (John 1:43-51)
    • In charge of Logistics (S-4)
  • Team 4: Thomas and Matthew (Of like mind) – Academics/Intellectuals
    • Tax collectors, while hated were highly educated
    • Thomas possesses much of the same modal logic present among the educated
    • In charge of Admin (S-1)
  • Team 5: James, son of Alphaeus and Jude -Thaddius (Brothers) – Most likely Jesus’ family
    • James could be….cousin of Jesus, brother of Jesus, brother of Matthew, author of book of James, mother at cross with Jesus
      • Matthew 13:55, Papias,
    • Thaddeus identified as “brother of James” (Jude 1) and brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55)
  • Team 6: Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot (Like minded) – Political and Violent Circle
    • Simon the Zealot
      • Zealots were far-right political extremist who violently opposed Roman occupation
    • Judas Iscariot
      • “Iscariot” is a solely Greek term
      • All scholars agree it is a poor trans-literation of Hebrew
      • Possible meanings:
        • Ish-Kerioth = “Man of Kerioth”
        • Kerioth/City = “City boy”
        • “Shikarri” = Assassin/murderer/thief

Used to describe someone who intently robs or kills

• • • • • “Shikarrim” = Splinter group of the zealots and caused the Jewish revolt in 66 AD that led to destruction of temple in 70 AD. The last stand at Massada were Shikarrim

The Shikarrim adopted that term to define themselves, we don’t define the word Shikarrim from the actions of the group itself.

*While not of greatest importance, these details have implications on how we understand narratives. If “Iscariot” means a “man from Kerioth,” then that means Judas was an Edomite like Herod and could hint to the betrayal. If meaning he was a part of the Shikarrim, then that plays to the intention he always had.

*My view, Matthew is a very Jewish book written to Jews with a Jewish mindset. Therefore, you must approach the name as Jews understood names. I think Matthew using the name not from a Greek, associative indicator, but a as a character indicator. His original audience would have been VERY familiar with the Shikarrim, so by giving Judas that indicator is not saying he was Shikarrim, but possesses the character of the Shikarrim. He was someone who robbed (John 12:4-6) and ultimately “assassinated” Jesus for political and personal gain.

God gives you your (No Marine ever served for the money)

• “Freely you have received, freely give”
  • Do you freely give yourself to the gospel, or do you expect compensation? Do you freely give your time, or do you only serve under conditions? i.e. unconditional reception of the gospel but conditional giving of it?
• We did not have to pay for our salvation, therefore do not charge people to share the gospel that saved you (Intention to use religion and power for financial or personal gain)
  • Example: Nikolla Tesla and the bar tap

How to Execute God’s Calling

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.

• Observation: Jesus instructs His disciples to not bring anything. He intends to teach them that ministry requires sole faith and dependency on God; and often, the lack of resources also hints to whether your on track, or its time to move.
• Observation: Jesus says the “worker is worth his keep.” This is another way of Jesus saying, “you will work a vocation for your money, you will work your calling for your God” i.e. “you will not receive a single penny for the power and authority you freely receive.”
  • Remember the sermon on the mount with intention? If your ministry intends to make you money, then your intention is not on God and money will be your only reward.
  • Remember Acts 19:16; the false preachers intention was not for God’s glory or the well being of the possessed man, but for their own.
• Question: Do you POSSESS the gospel, or simply PROFESS it? By what intention do you serve?

What to Expect when God Calls You

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 

• Observation: Jesus effectively says, “Use common sense.” First, he says to apply discernment with who you associate and receive help from (vs. 11-14). If someone opposes you, then move on. Ensure you leave them no excuse on judgment day (Vs. 15). Be wise and give no reason or excuse for someone to hold something against you (vs. 16).
• Observation: Jesus says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves,” and they never realized the greatest wolf in sheep’s clothing was among them in Judas.
• Question: Much of discipleship is growing in discernment as you apply it to passion. Often, believers apply abstract spirituality to problems without applying common sense to it. Do you spiritualize problems, or do you take the time to ask for discernment in them?
• Question: If we were living in 1st century Judea, would the authorities have something against you to destroy you? In your witness to the world, do you leave others with excuse on judgment day?

¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

• Observation: It would have been very shocking to most the disciples that their ministry would attract the attention of kings, councils, and governors (vs. 18).
• Question: Often, we under-estimate the importance, effect, and impact of our ministry and the gospel. Do you live with a great understanding and urgency for the impact of the gospel?
• Observation: In verse 18, Jesus affirms that the gospel will go to the gentiles. In verses 5 and 6, He tells the disciples their boundaries were to the “lost sheep of Israel” first. A larger point of Matthew is to prove to Jewish believers the mission to the gentiles was not only acceptable, but commanded.
• Observation: It is interesting that the apostles had a deep fear of speaking to the authorities. In fact, Jesus offers them comfort in that fear more so than the previous warning of being beaten.
• Question: Often, our greatest fear is speaking truth to people so we allow them to live in the misery of their own sin. Is the gospel of higher importance than your fear of socially awkward situations?

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

• Observation: Jesus plainly states were are to not seek out martyrdom or persecution to carry a “righteous badge;” rather the point is to spread the gospel, not die for it (even though some will die for it).
• Question: Sometimes, Christians get “martyr” syndrome where they believe themselves persecuted where they are not (Example: COVID shutdowns or being mocked), or seek persecution to have a hill to die on. This amplifies their focus is not on getting the gospel to people, but to suffer for it in spite of people. What is your hill? Are the hills you are willing to die on centered on the message and mission Christ sent us to do?

²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

• Observation: Jesus not only says that we will suffer for the sake of the gospel like he did, but that it may be worse!
• Observation: Here, the word for “master” is “Kurios,” which is properly translated, “Lord of inherent power.”
• Question: When we read about the sufferings of Jesus, do you ever feel like you are the exception? Why?
• Question: Often, our lack of faith leads us to miss the positive promises God made, but it also leads us to disbelieve the negative promises of suffering as well so we are surprised when we struggle. In this sense, has the sufferings or struggles of life ever affirmed and strengthened your faith? Has it created doubt?

²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

• Observation: Jesus says we should be transparent in all our dealings of life and ministry. He also says that there is no special “level” of knowledge only a few select receive. The same Gospel the disciples received is the same we receive.
• Question: Are you transparent in your life? What do you hide from people? Even our sin should be transparent (See James 5:16), do your struggles and battles remain honestly open?
• Observation: Jesus speaks of the supreme fear. Whatever you fear more you will submit too.
• Question: Do you fear God more than anything? If not, what do you fear more?

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[b] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

• Observation: Remember the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches us not to worry. He applies the same concept here in practical ministry. Remember God’s love for you in ministry.

³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
³⁶     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.

• Observation: The “Sword” Jesus speaks of is the gospel; and that it will divide households, communities, and nations. In other words, as Jesus brings peace in the gospel, the gospel creates chaos in the world because it does not behave like the world.
• Observation: Jesus did not care about the chaos the gospel creates. He is very open about what will happen, but He didn’t care; because the gospel is more important than anything in this world. Like a drug intervention, Jesus understands the world will go through a “sin withdrawal,” but it is ultimately for our own good.
• Question: We were sin addicts. Many of our family and friends are still sin addicts. Is the intervention worth the life freedom from sin offers? If so, are we as vocal as we should be?

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

• Observation: You do not hire Elon Musk and make him a janitor. Jesus says He must be our FIRST and HIGHEST priority, if He is not, then you have missed who He is and are unworthy of Him.
• Question: What do you prioritize over Jesus? Not by what you profess, but by what you possess? Is Jesus who truly drives your day, or do you simply include Him within it?

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

• Observation: Interesting promise of Jesus. Whatever we treasure we will receive, BUT we don’t’ receive it all. Meaning, if your true treasure is money and that is the priority of your pursuits, then you will obtain money, but you won’t receive the righteous rewards. A righteous person desires righteous things, and therefore, their reward will be righteous too.
• Question: What do you find rewarding in life? Do you feel satisfied and complete when you receive it? If not, why do you still pursue it?