The Workers are Sent
Notes
Transcript
1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11 “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12 “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. 23 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
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Last week we asked the question, “What does the harvest actually look like?” This week we can ask the question, “What does it look like to send people out into that harvest?” We know what the harvest looks like, we know it’s ready, how does one go about sending out workers? I think we can all recognize that sending people to go accomplish some mission entails more than just a command. It includes preparation!
For many of us we probably have a good feeling of what it looks like to step into something unprepared. I was talking with some of the guys on Tuesday: I remember the first few times I stepped onto a job site working in remodeling. We were flipping shotgun homes in some of the older neighborhoods of Louisville, and the level of unprepared was up there. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I wasn’t alone. I had the opportunity to watch more skilled carpenters. I had opportunities to work with people more skilled than me. After awhile I’d step onto a new jobsite and feel a little more prepared than the last time because I had the opportunity to watch and work with people with more experience than me.
You might say that’s where we are in the text today. Jesus’ disciples have had a period of time to watch and work alongside Jesus in a period of preparation, but there’s a crucial next step here that requires preparation in and of itself. Jesus is going to send them off on their own. He’s going to give them opportunity to lead with the authority given to them. That’s a big step, but it’s a crucial step! They’re going to need to make decisions, they’re going to face open resistance, they’re going to need to endure. Up until now Jesus has been handling much of the resistance, He’s had the words to say in response, He’s been the one making decisions. As much as Jesus is able to do this with perfection, he’s not content keeping these things to Himself. He’s here to make disciples after all. He’s here to raise up followers in his image to go proclaim the gospel to the nations. To that end, He’s preparing his disciples to walk the road that Jesus Himself is walking, and that preparation isn’t just the tools and the materials you might say. It isn’t just the people and the message. Preparation includes expectations. For the next couple weeks we’re going to see Jesus move beyond the basics of righteousness, the nature of the kingdom, the message proclaimed... He wants them to know what they’re going to find out there so they can be prepared to do the work and endure as Jesus would do.
Sending out faithful workers into the harvest requires intentional preparation. Those who are sent well know the message, and know what to expect when that message is preached.
Sending out faithful workers into the harvest requires intentional preparation. Those who are sent well know the message, and know what to expect when that message is preached.
Prepared people
Prepared to preach
Prepared to be peaceless
Prepared to be persecuted
Prepared People
Prepared People
As we begin this new discourse one might naturally start looking at the teaching and glance over the audience, but there’s a point to made in the audience. No longer is Jesus ministering to a crowd of Jews and Gentiles like he was at the end of chapter 4. He’s not even addressing a large group of disciples like he has in much of his first discourse in the Sermon on the Mount. This is a very directed section of teaching. His audience is twelve - the twelve men he’s hand selected to be sent out as his apostles, and before we even see the list we see Jesus preparing these select few for the road ahead.
Where does he begin? He gave them authority.
1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
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I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the starting note of this preparation is the closing note of Jesus’ example at the end of chapter 9. As Jesus’ authority to cast out demons is disputed amongst the Pharisees and His ministry is described by Matthew - not a couple verses later Jesus is granting that authority to his disciples and the ministry of the disciples is being described. The point here being when these disciples go they’re not going out independent of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This authority granted to them is not a “go do want you want with it.” kind of authority. It’s the authority of God to advance the kingdom of God by the power of God with the message of God. The curse of sin and the influence of evil will be overcome by the power of God!
I want to recognize a kind of order of operation here in preparing people. In our day and age I believe there’s a tendency to look at the need and ask, “Who will go?” The search begins, a list of names is assembled and they’re sent out. We cant stop at “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” We have a need and we have labor let’s put the two together. That makes sense right?! ..but how did Jesus teach His disciples to pray, “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Sending people into the harvest begins with God preparing people. That’s what we see here.
Unless these workers go with the commission and authority of the Lord of the harvest, how can they accomplish the work? Unless these workers go with the power of God, the presence of God, and the Word of God, the harvest will never be brought in. I think that’s only all the more apparent when you look at this list of apostles. They are the most ordinary bunch.
Some of these apostles we truly know very little about. Their names only appear a handful of times in the whole of Scripture. These are the apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Isn’t it important we know what kind of men they are so we have something to compare ourselves to?! What kind of competencies they bring to the table, what makes them qualified for this extraordinary task given to them? What we do know is either really ordinary, unattractive, or outright disturbing. We have fishermen, tax collectors, and a betrayer. That’s what’s explicit in Matthew’s narrative. That’s all he wants us to know. Why? Because the point isn’t what kind of men these are, it’s whose power and authority they carry. It’s whose message they’re proclaiming. It’s by whom they’re sent out. It’s not as much about the workers, as it’s about the Lord of the harvest, and that’s good news for us.
We may not be apostles, but we too have been given authority to advance the kingdom of heaven.
We may not be tasked with casting out demons and healing, but we too have been given the power and presence of God in the Spirit.
We may not be tasked with writing down the very Word of God, but we too have been given the message of Christ in His Word.
By the end of Matthew the authority of Christ is granted to His church, that’s us! When we go looking for a prepared people to send out into the harvest, we’re not looking for unique apostolic or missionary callings, we’re looking for Christians. That’s us! We have Christ, and He is the rock of our preparation.
One practical consideration for us given we have the means of preparation in Christ.
Sending out people into the harvest doesn’t stop at prayer it goes on to an intentional selection of people. Jesus doesn’t stop at presenting a large group of disciples with teaching and a prayer request hoping some will go. He’s pointing to some very specific people to be given authority and responsibility. Let’s work to make that next step as disciples. It’s a great thing to be in the large gathering praying for the Lord to send out workers, but it’s another thing to be intentionally seeking that personal preparation. Here at Two Rivers we make that personal preparation a large part of our discipleship ministry. We make a point to host multiple small groups so a very specific group of people can be taught, equipped, and prepared on a personal level for the work of the harvest before us. The ladies meet together. The men meet together. Even I meet with fellow pastors so I can be better equipped and prepared. For every person in this room I’d highly encourage it, strive for that personal preparation that comes from a small group. We have a group in Englewood on Monday night (I hear it’s getting a bit full). We have a group in Enon on Tuesday nights and we meet here every Wednesday night. Let’s take that next step toward personal preparation. If we as pastors can help you do that, I hope you wouldn’t hesitate to talk to us.
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So, Jesus has selected 12 rather ordinary men and is about to send them out, but before they step off they need instructions. How are they to use this authority? What expectations should they have as they go?
Prepared to Preach
Prepared to Preach
We can pick there in verse 5
5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
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In many ways we can recognize this sending of the apostles as the beginning of a greater harvest work to come as we’ll see in the book of Acts, but we do need to pause and see that this is a very unique time in redemptive history. We catch glimpses in Jesus’ ministry of what is to come as he crosses the sea of Galilee to minister amongst the Gentiles, but the priority of His ministry really is to minister to the Jews. It’s worth us asking, “Why?” Why is Jesus narrowing the scope of the disciples audience to exclude Gentiles and Samaritans?
Peter later on makes the explanation for us having been sent out after Jesus’ ascension.
We saw Peter’s first sermon at Pentecost, but his second sermon near the temple is addressed to a gathering of Jews as well. His address is to “Men of Israel” (Acts 3:12). It’s his closing statement we’re looking at there, vs. 25-26.
25 “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
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Peter explains to this gathering of Jews what Jesus was doing from the very moment he sent out the disciples in chapter 10. He was fulfilling His covenant promises to His people. This goes all the way back to Genesis chapter 12. God promised Abraham that He and His descendants would be blessed. The blessing of the nations would follow, but the promised blessings were given to Israel first. Peter recognizes that there’s a fullness of blessing that the people of Israel have not yet received.
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Imagine the guests at a birthday party helping themselves to the birthday presents before the birthday boy or the birthday girl has even had a chance to open it. If you have little kids maybe you know what that’s like. Peter is saying there’s a gift still waiting for you. There are presents that have already been opened, blessings that have been given to Israel in some degree, but the best and most important is here. It’s for you! Will you receive it?
What is this gift?
26 “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
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7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
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Deliverance from the curse of sin! That’s the gift they were always intended to receive! The gift of faith in Jesus Christ who has died for sin and overcome the grave that they might be turned from their wicked ways and delivered from judgement to everlasting life.
When Jesus is sending out His disciples he’s making sure that Israel is not without the gift they were always intended to have. Men like Abraham have been looking forward in faith to this moment - this declaration from the beginning. It’s time for Israel to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, the kingdom of heaven is coming! The Messiah is here!
Now when we look at these instructions it might be tempting to think, the greatest gift in this list might be the raising of the dead. I don’t know… if you were Jairus is there a greater gift than receiving back your dead child alive and well? At first that may be hard to argue with. You could make an argument for each of those, but again just like Jesus’ ministry the apostles have been given 1 ministry not multiple. Each and every one of these miraculous gifts given to the most hopeless and helpless people is but a witness to a greater gift. The good news itself: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This good news is declaring the coming of an everlasting kingdom. A kingdom whose foundations are in heaven and cannot be shaken. A kingdom whose citizens will be granted eternal life that they might dwell with their King and Savior for all eternity… There’s freedom from the curse of sin and then there’s gaining the presence and glory of God as a citizen of an everlasting kingdom. That’s what these apostles are declaring. That’s the greatest gift - the good news - to be declared.
Now before we look for our place in this preaching of the good news, I believe it’s important we don’t forget the unique time that these apostles are serving in. We can assume that our position and our proclamation is the same: Shouldn’t we be prepared to preach the good news of “the kingdom of heaven at hand.”? In one sense, “Yes” we do look forward to being in glory for all eternity with Christ, but when Christ says the kingdom of heaven is at hand, I believe he means it is near. There’s some varying perspectives on this, but I take it to be as plain as it sounds. It’s not at hand because it’s potentially near. It’s not at hand because Christ’s return could be any day. The kingdom of heaven is at hand because the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ is near. The apostles are declaring the inauguration of the kingdom of Christ - the birth of the church through Jesus’ work of atonement and overcoming death for all who believe.
The author of Hebrews addresses the church in similar terms. I’ve mentioned this recently:
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
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When you read verse 22 it sounds like the church has come into heaven - have we really already come to the heavenly Jerusalem and to myriads of angels? That’s future right? That’s the kingdom of heaven at hand right? No, these ordinary saints have received the kingdom of heaven in the general assembly the church - they are the firstborn enrolled in heaven because Jesus has mediated a new covenant with his own blood.
Friends, we must not forget that the kingdom of heaven has been inaugurated! We tase it and see it and glory in it every Sunday when we gather together in worship. We look back at our King who died and rose from the dead and we can say in no uncertain terms, the kingdom is here! We have come to the city of the living God having been enrolled in heaven because Christ, our Savior shed His blood - He died for us that our sins would receive their just payment. He rose from the dead that we might have everlasting life in Him. He ascended to preside as King over His kingdom - the general assembly and church of God… Now we all acknowledge that Christ is coming again. There is a kingdom to come in fullness of glory, but let’s not let the ‘not yet’ keep us from preaching the ‘already’. Let’s not let what we’re waiting for keep us from proclaiming what all people can receive in Christ today! An extraordinary gift that we have freely received and must ready to freely give in the proclamation of the gospel.
We might ask ourselves this morning, “What is the greatest gift I have to give?”
I think this is true of a lot of us, but we naturally tend to give gifts consistent with what we’re good at. If you’re an excellent cook, it makes for a great gift around the holidays or birthdays. If you’re crafty, maybe your gifts carry that personal touch with them. Some of you know how to give the most meaningful gifts that bring with them memories of years of life together. In every sense they make for the best of gifts because they’re personal, but let’s remember that the greatest gift these apostles could bring was the gift they all shared. The good news of the kingdom of heaven and all its blessings found in Jesus Christ.
The same is true of us today. As much as we all have unique gifts that may benefit a needy world in some respect they all point to the greatest gift we have to give to a lost and dying world: the good news of the gospel, the good news that the kingdom of heaven has come to earth in the church of Jesus Christ. The King has died and risen and there’s a place in the kingdom for all who believe.
Let’s be prepared to preach. Each and every one of us! Now, that doesn’t mean a sermon on Sunday for most, but for every Christian there’s a call here. We’re being sent out into the harvest, we need to be ready to proclaim the good news.
Our Wednesday night group will tell you one of my favorite questions to ask in Bible study is, “How would you explain it to a child?” I believe it was Einstein who said something like, “If you can’t explain it to a child, you don’t really understand it.” Now Einstein was no theologian, but there’s something to that argument. If we want to be good communicators - effective preachers of the gospel one way we can do that is to work to be effective teachers and proclaimers with our children. We have a Sunday school class starting next week for the kids here at Two Rivers. Have you ever thought that being prepared to preach might start with sharing the truths of the gospel with the kids right here in our own gathering? It’s absolutely to their benefit, but there’s an opportunity there for teachers and leaders to grow as well. One of the best ways to be prepared to preach is to start preaching. With whatever opportunities we have before us, let’s make the most of them that we might be a church prepared to proclaim the gospel.
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We’re through 8 verses.. if you’re counting there's more than 8 verses remaining in our text this morning, but it’s really all about one thing. How will this gospel be received? It all belongs together. Jesus wants them to know that even some in the house of Israel, will not welcome them. Some in the house of Israel will outright hate them.
Prepared to be Peaceless
Prepared to be Peaceless
Let’s pick up there in verse 9.
9 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
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At first this may very well appear to be the opposite of preparation. No money, not even a backpack. No spare clothes. What’s the point? Now many will look to this passage as a reason for pastors to be paid. I’m thankful for those who do, but I don’t believe it stops there. This whole passage isn’t exclusive to shepherds or pastors. This is the call to disciples - to Christians. Jesus is preparing these men to be examples to the flock - to live life like every other Christian to follow: A life lived in dependence upon God and dependence upon the church.
Jesus is setting up these men to need those who would receive the good news. - To trust God that His church would sustain their work and support them in their need.
We’ve already seen this worked out in Acts 2 just a couple weeks ago. The kingdom of heaven has arrived and all those who devote themselves to the teaching of the word and to fellowship are supported by the church. Any who had need were sustained by their brothers and sisters. Jesus is establishing that precedent from the very beginning with the apostles. You’re not superhero Christians who don’t need anyone.
We might have a tendency to look at the apostles as these super Christians who have means and provisions supernaturally provided by God such that they never even appear needy. It’s quite the opposite. How many times was Paul dependent upon the local church to sustain him? Paul speaks of personal needs met by his fellow worker Epaphroditus and even financial needs met by the church. Paul, the greatest harvest worker there was needed the church!
Now how many of us would prefer to be self-sufficient? (Me!)
Dependence requires vulnerability doesn’t it? Who wants to be vulnerable?
Dependence requires patience. Paul needed to press on in patience and contentment when so many others didn’t support him.
Why would anyone put themselves in that position?
If I could put it this way investment and dependence work hand in hand. It’s not just about being dependent it’s about where are we looking for our reward? If we believe our reward is going to be found in our selves we’re going to invest in ourselves - depend on ourselves- we’re going to be self-sufficient. If we believe our reward is going to be found in the work of the harvest, we’re going to invest in that work even depend on the fruits of that work.
Jesus is calling the disciples to invest in this work to the degree that they’re dependent on the fruits of the harvest. That’s an all in kind of investment.
It’s the kind of service and commitment that Christ would extend to us. He held nothing in reserve. He gave His life because the redemption of the church was the reward.
When we step out with that kind of commitment to people, often broken and lost people, we need to be prepared to be peaceless at times. I spend the time there on the front end because it’s so easy to think that we need to be at peace with everyone, and if I’m not at peace then I’m doing something wrong. Sometimes that’s true, but oftentimes that’s just not the case.
Jesus goes on to describe the road ahead for the disciples and states plainly not everyone will welcome them! They won’t have peace with everyone. And it’s not because they’re doing anything wrong, it’s precisely because they’re completely invested in the work as Christ was.
vs. 10-12 describes these sojourners going from town to town looking for those who would receive them and their gospel. There are those would be found worthy. They would receive them, but there were others who were not found to be worthy.
13 “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
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If I could underline something here it would be right there in 14 “nor heed your words”. The assumption here is that they’re preaching. The good news is being proclaimed. These disciples aren’t being rejected for any ordinary reason, they’re being rejected because they’re faithful to proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
Jesus makes that plain in the fact that those who reject them will face final judgement one day because they rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ.
15 “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
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2 things here that we can take home with us.
Give yourself a chance to be rejected. That may sound odd at first, but I wonder at times if we never really invest in someone because we’re afraid to sacrifice that peace. “If I give that person more time, more energy, more of my life… If I challenge their kingdom and call them to a heavenly kingdom they may reject me and all that investment would be for nothing.” Whether we think about it all in those steps or not there’s an intuition there that keeps us from ever beginning. Can you imagine if Jesus withheld his investment knowing full well how many would cry for His crucifixion, how many would abandon him in his darkest hour? Where would we be if Jesus had looked ahead and said, it’s not worth it. Participating in the work of the harvest at times is to join the Lord of the harvest in being rejected by those we’ve sacrificed greatly for. Let’s not withhold that investment for fear of rejection. Let’s not withhold the gospel for the sake of a relationship.
If we’re going to be rejected let it be for the sake of the gospel. Those who would not receive the disciples “did not heed their words.” On the other end of the spectrum are those who might use this passage as an excuse to be brash and argumentative. Rejection is normal after all. We don’t seek their acceptance, and then they go and sacrifice any opportunity for a relationship with hopeless and helpless people. Jesus was invested to the point of death, he was willing to be rejected but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t willing to walk alongside the most broken of people for years in order to see them grasp the gospel. Many would grasp the gospel. Many didn’t. The question isn’t simply, “Are we willing to be rejected?” Really, the question ought to be, “Are we willing to walk with someone, labor with them, patiently bear with their weakness, and then be rejected by them?” At the end of the day Judas left because He rejected the gospel. He preferred his own kingdom. He had every opportunity to receive that gift, but in the end he refused it. Let’s be willing to give people every opportunity to grasp the gospel making sure it’s the good news we proclaim that they reject and not anything in us.
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In truth a loss of peace is only a stepping stone. There are those who will respond with hate to the proclamation of the gospel.
Prepared to be Persecuted
Prepared to be Persecuted
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
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These disciples aren’t going out into this harvest as the most powerful among men. They’re sheep amongst wolves.
They don’t have all the influence. They will be unjustly accused and beaten.
They will not be popular - So unpopular in fact that they will be brought before governors and kings.
How man people in today’s world think all those things are essential for the advancement of their respective missions?
If we can be powerful we can establish a following and a kingdom of sorts.
If we can establish influence people will look to us to tell them right from wrong. We will become the courts.
If we can establish popularity people will certainly listen to us!
Jesus prepares them to have none of this which the world so desperately searches for. Surely this will hinder the harvest work which they have before them!? But no.
If I were to summarize the call, “Be wary, wise and do not worry: Even in persecution the testimony of Christ will go forth. Even in their darkest moment when they are handed over as criminals to the authorities Jesus gives them this extraordinary hope, and he comes back to their proclamation! The goal remains the same. “proclaim the gospel!”
19 “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
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That’s an incredible statement to me. There a whole mountain of other things any ordinary person is going to be worried about.
“Am I going to be set free?”
“Am I going to be beaten?”
“Am I going to die?”
The emphasis here continues to be on the Good news proclaimed. The very person of the Holy Spirit is going to work through them in that darkest hour to give them words to say that the harvest might continue.
That very scene plays out as the kingdom of heaven - the church - is born. Stephen, an ordinary deacon - He’s not an apostle he’s just a faithful disciple - He’s handed over to the religious leaders and by the power of the Holy Spirit he proclaims the glory of Christ and the kingdom of heaven.
55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
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Stephen died like his Lord and Savior that day. Was the harvest work hindered? Absolutely not. It only prospered all the more. His testimony was only strengthened in His death as he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Talk about willing to be rejected while giving every opportunity for the gospel. He labored for their souls to the very last.
The Holy Spirit and the gospel work through weak, rejected, and dying disciples to advance the kingdom. That’s how the harvest comes in.
The Holy Spirit and the gospel work through those who look like Jesus to advance the kingdom. That’s the work of the harvest.
Even in the disciple’s darkest hour the gospel will be proclaimed.
Jesus doesn’t stop there. He tells them this kingdom will turn brothers against each other, fathers against their children, children against their father. There are none who are exempt. Hatred may very well come from anywhere, but even in death there is salvation. Was not Christ risen from the dead? Didn’t Stephen see His deliverance in that final moment? Haven’t we freely received the promise of an eternal, heavenly kingdom? “The one who has endured to the end will be saved.” There’s hope that grants us endurance even to the end. Though all may reject us here for our proclamation, we have the hope that our King will receive us in the end, and we will be saved. This is where Jesus points the eyes of the disciples from here to the very end of the chapter.
It’s easy to despair when all we have is the world’s hatred before our eyes, but where does he have them look?
23 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
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Much like the kingdom of heaven, I don’t believe Jesus is speaking of His final coming. I believe he speaks of His coming in the Spirit after His ascension. On that day at Pentecost, there was still more work to be done. There were still those in Israel who needed to hear the good news of the gospel. There were still those who would be given that good news and reject them in persecution as Saul would, and even through Saul’s persecution the church did just as Jesus said. They fled to the next city, and yet they did not flee alone. They went with the assurance that their Savior would be with them to the end of the age. Even amidst great persecution the church has always know the presence and power of Christ in the Spirit. Even amidst great persecution the church has witnessed the advancement of the kingdom of Christ.
The same is true today! Nothing has changed. Though the world may not welcome us. Though the world may actively oppose us. They cannot take from us the message of Christ and the presence of Christ in the Spirit. Jesus is showing his disciples the sufficiency of the gospel and the Spirit before the Spirit has even come. Might we prepare ourselves as fellow workers with that same mindset. There are so many things the world tells us we need for kingdom advancement. There’s a lot there that’s nice to have, but it’s not a need to have. Jesus here lays out what we need. We need to be ready to be sent. We need to be prepared to preach the message. We need to be ready to go with the fellowship of the Spirit and the church when everyone may oppose us.
This is the life of discipleship. This is the life that leads to salvation and glory in the presence of our Savior.
Let’s Pray.
Miami Valley Church for the Deaf and Hearing
Pastor David Sollmann
