Matthew 10:1 (ESV):
‘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.’
Matthew 10:5–8 (ESV):
‘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.’
Jesus calls those who follow him to do the work he does. Not by their own might or intellect, but by his. His authority and power causes sick people to be made well, the dead to become alive and demons to be cast out. Witnessing these things surely was powerful proof of the message the disciples were told to deliver that ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’. Jesus told them to teach in different towns to those of different backgrounds, life experiences, genders and ages. Yet they were to teach the same things he had been teaching them. Jesus message and the truth of God are universally true and relevant wherever you go. The disciples were to share the words of Jesus beyond where and when they first heard it so that others had the opportunity to believe and follow Jesus. You have the same permission and authority - to share the news that, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’. You are equipped to do it with the faith and knowledge that you have, and with the power of the Holy Spirit which Scripture states is available for all believers (Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17). The mandate is for all believers to go and tell others who Jesus is, how to receive forgiveness and be restored in relationship to God the Father. You have the knowledge you need, the power you need and the permission you need to go and do it. What you know and have heard from Jesus, this is what you tell others. Jesus does give some clarifying instructions though:
- Do not take payment for signs/wonders/miracles/salvation. For God’s Spirit and access to His kingdom is freely available.
- Live by faith - trust that God will provide your needs (miraculously and through others),
- Accept hospitality,
- Be prepared to suffer,
- Trust that God will speak through you by His Holy Spirit when in trouble with authorities,
- Do not fear man but fear God.
These are Jesus’ instructions and expectations for his disciples. He assures them that they have the same authority and power delegated to them as he has. Which is pretty incredible! Jesus also informs them of how to handle rejection and hospitality. He prepares his disciples for different responses because they will meet with them. Jesus prepares them well for the next level of responsibility and authority they are given by providing them good principles and clear instructions. This allows his disciples to faithfully display God’s kingdom in whatever situation they find themselves in. The same instructions, delegation and responsibility is true for you too.
As part of his instructions, Jesus did not tell the disciples that everything was going to be fine so don’t worry - He actually prepared them for the opposite! They will be accepted by some and rejected by others. Jesus prepares his disciples by showing them that life following God is not easy. It often means you have to live uncomfortably - Not relying on possessions, people or finances, but God alone. Sometimes you need to be prepared to accept help from those around you, give up the things you enjoy, go to places you don’t know, live without comforts, and you might even get in trouble with some people because you stand for a kingdom they are not a part of! Have you fully accepted this reality for yourself?
If you are under pressure, harassed, feel lonely, confused, need help, are going without, then that is ok. It is the expected walk of the disciple. Life gets uncomfortable. Jesus doesn’t instruct his followers to pray for it to go away, but he says not to fear or worry. Just keep on sharing the good news for you will be equipped for whatever you face by God himself!
As you share the truth of who Jesus and invite people to be a part of God’s kingdom, be aware that some will rejoice, turn and believe and accept you and your message.They will welcome you, look after you and listen to you. Yet others will reject you. Jesus warns, ‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues.’ (v16–17). Sharing who God is with people is risky. It could mean that you are physically harmed, thrown out of places like Jesus was, or have to answer before authorities. So Jesus recommends wisdom and innocence in what you say, and he promises that the Holy Spirit will help you. Some people and authorities today still do not like people living for God. We hear stories where christians in the workplace or in business are rejected and challenged for their faith, persecuted, sued, rallied against. Yet they remain secure in their faith. They refuse to bow to cultural and societal expectations or to align their values and business to the loudest, threatening voices when they go against what they believe. It is not easy to do that. They have to embrace the discomfort of tarnished reputations, loss of income and rejection. Yet they can remain wise and innocent and peaceful in spirit because they are quietly and securely obeying Jesus. The sheep that follow Jesus can survive the pressure. God’s instruction at such times is, ‘do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say.’ (v19) and ‘do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul’ (v28). When you live for God, your eternal salvation is secure, your soul is safe. Are you living in the security of that knowledge? Life will get uncomfortable at times, and people will come against you and reject you, but your eternal assurance remains. Nothing can separate you from the love of God or His promises over you. So, keep on sharing the good news of Jesus. You are eternally safe, and you will meet some people whose souls will rejoice to have the same security you have. So keep going, keep sharing and keep trusting that God is with you and will help you.
