yu  Day 289—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 289 – Matthew 10 (twelve sent out, persecution warnings, swords & rewards)

Matthew 10. Jesus’ disciples have been with Him for a while, watching and learning from Him. It’s now time for them to practice what they’ve learned. After all, Jesus will be with them for only a little more than three years.

So, Jesus calls them to himself and gives them AUTHORITY over unclean spirits and diseases.  He tells them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons….just as He has been showing them by example.  (These miracles will authenticate their message.)

Matthew names the disciples (learners) and then calls them apostles (messengers or representatives). (Here, he even identifies himself as Matthew the tax collector.) Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Thomas, James #2, Thaddaeus, Simon #2, and Judas Iscariot.

He tells the Twelve to go only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Time will come later when they are sent to the uttermost parts of the world.)  They are to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  They are to preach freely without pay, for THEY have been given the message free of charge. They should not take money for the journey or extra clothes, shoes, or staff.  These will be provided for them by the “worthy” people who receive them (as some have received Jesus) and offer hospitality.

Jesus also warns them of persecution. He has already experienced some at the hands of the religious leaders. As He has, so will they. He says they are like sheep among wolves and to be WISE as serpents but INNOCENT as doves.

He tells the twelve that (and this is probably directed to a later time) they will be flogged and brought before courts, governors, and kings for preaching Him to Jews AND Gentiles.  But they aren’t to worry, for the Holy Spirit will give them the words to say (such as in Acts) and the strength to persevere.

They are to love Him supremely, even ahead of family, for, later, children and parents will turn against each other and have the other put to death for their testimony. Jesus tells them their worst enemies will rise from their own households. “They called me Beelzebub. How much more will they malign you.”  

But they are NOT TO FEAR persecution or even death. The persecutors can kill only the body. But fear God, who can put body and soul to everlasting death in hell.   He tells them their Father is aware of a sparrow dying, and that they are so much more loved than birds.  Their very hairs are numbered.

They are to be confident that if they acknowledge Him among the world, He will acknowledge them before the Father in heaven.  If they find their “life” at the expense of loving Him, they will lose it. But losing it for His sake guarantees they will have (eternal) life.

There are REWARDS for those who receive them as His representatives. Even if one gives a water bottle to a Gospel preacher on a corner in the midday heat – because they are a disciple of Jesus – they will receive a reward.