Matthew 10:6-15, Believer’s Handbook (1)

G. Campbell Morgan: "Pray ye," is the first command; "go ye" is the next. The men who have learnt to look with the eyes of Jesus until they feel with the heart of Jesus; and who, out of such vision and such feeling, begin to pray, are more than half ready for the work of bringing in the harvest.

When we read Matthew 10 we realize that Jesus is giving specific instructions to the Twelve for the ministry He had for them at that time.  These specific instructions are not our instructions.  The Twelve had:

·        A compelling call, 10:1-4.  As we have noted, they were called by name out of the larger group of disciples of Jesus.  We too have been called.  Eph. 4:11-12 makes it clear that every saint is to be involved in the work of ministry.  The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers equip the saints for the work.  We noted in the previous post how we are also called specifically.

·        A clear authority, 10:1.  The Twelve were authorized to cast out demons, heal and raise the dead.  They continued in this after the cross as Acts indicates.  There is no evidence Jesus gave this authority to other non-apostles.  As did Jesus, so did the Apostles need the miraculous signs as confirmation of their role of completing the Scriptures of the New Testament and in establishing the Church (Heb. 2:1-4).  We too have authority from Christ, authority to make disciples in all the nations (Mt. 28:18-20).  He also gave us authority to pray in His name, thus giving us the power to carry out His work (John 14:12-14). 

·        A target-group mandate, 10:5-6.  The Twelve were only to go to the Jews, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

The time had not yet come for the Lord to say, 'Other sheep I have...' (Jn. 10:16) ... It was intended to give the Jews one more chance of avoiding the age-long dispersion that awaited them, one more chance to accept the King before the offer of the kingdom was withdrawn for thousands of years." (John Phillips)

We also have such a mandate.  Paul recognized the need, when preaching the gospel to the NT world, that he first needed to go to the Jews, to give them an opportunity, and then to the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16-17).  We are to go to every nation (Matt. 28:19-20).  Acts 1:8 calls us to go to the ends of the earth, being sure we do not overlook those closest to home. 

·        A gospel message, 10:7.  The Twelve preached what John the Baptist and Jesus preached: the gospel of the kingdom.  The Kingdom of Heaven was near because the King was near.  This was the good news for Israel, that their salvation was near.  We too have good news, and it also revolves around Jesus the Savior.  It is the gospel that looks back at Christ, and His death and resurrection (Rom. 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:3-8).