Matthew Chapter 10
In a very short span of time twelve men called “His Disciples” were tasked with spreading the good news of Jesus with their fellow Jews.
Jesus was specifically calling these twelve men to multiply His ministry and He gave them power to perform miracles such as the miracles they had seen Him do.
Can you imagine for a moment what it would have been like to be told by Jesus that you would have power to heal diseases? In verse 8 we learn that they even had power to raise the dead. God was about to turn the world upside down.
Let's Reflect
1. As you read the names of the twelve disciples, who is listed last and what title did Matthew give him?
2. Jesus instructed them to only go to the house of Israel, the mission trips to the Gentiles would come later. What was the message they were to declare as they went out?
3. Jesus warned them that their reception might not always be favorable. He asked them to just let it go when they were not received well and to move on to the next person. Jesus described the punishment that would happen to those who rejected the gospel of Jesus. This punishment will happen on the day of judgement. He said their judgement would be worse than what?
4. Verses 16-23 are warnings about more than just rejection, Christians also face persecution. Jesus wanted them to be wise as a snake. A snake is an animal that everyone tries to kill, so he must be wise to survive. But He also wanted them to be innocent as doves. This is a difficult balance because human emotions get in the way when we are attacked. But Jesus promised that we don’t need to be anxious about what we will say when brought before authorities to defend our faith. What did Jesus promise us?
5. Jesus warned the disciples that the people would not treat them any better than they had treated Him. They had heard the people say that Jesus’ miracles were done by the power of Satan. What could they expect to be called?
6. Jesus told the men not to be afraid. He also was honest with them; they might lose their life in the process. He told them not to fear death because that is not the worst thing that could happen to them since they would be with God in paradise. The real fear is to be cast into hell. Who is the only one who has power to do just that and should be feared?
7. In delivering the message that the Kingdom of God is at hand, true believers, true disciples of Jesus will be set apart and possibly hated by even their own family members. This would be the cost of following Jesus. Jesus was asking them to consider what is more important to follow after their own personal pursuits of life or to follow after Jesus. Notice that Jesus did not offer a third option. What do we gain by giving up self and following Christ?
8. To follow Jesus is to announce publicly that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Not everyone is called to be travelling evangelist or a preacher, but we are all called to share the Good News with others. We are all called to extend the love of Jesus to others. Jesus said that we could do something as simple as giving what?
Devotionals
