Called to Mission - Matthew 10:1-15

Introduction/Seeing the Need

The word commission is well known, and the dictionary offers no less than seven definitions, with several sub-definitions, depending on context. Two definitions in Merriam-Webster’s that should catch our attention are these: “a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties” and “authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another.” Those definitions are hard to tell apart; it seems like if one definition applies to you, then the other would as well, right?

Some might point out that the difference lies in distinguishing between power (the ability to do something) and authority (the right to do something). Others might suggest that the difference is in the part about a commission is well known to Christians, sine , is our formal written charge to make disciples. Commission more in the sense of “authority to act … in place of another” without the element of being written is also in the Bible, but less well known. That’s our topic for this lesson.

Matthew and Luke locate the events of our passage after the 12 disciples had had significant exposure to Jesus’ message and work". Another account notes that several disciples mentioned in met Jesus shortly after his baptism and witnessed his first miracle. Jesus later encountered Peter, Andrew, James, and John in Capernaum and famously called them from their nets to become fishers of people. In so doing, he was challenging them to leave their careers and travel with him full-time. From that vantage point, they witnessed Jesus’ teachings and healings across the region. Somewhere during this campaign, Matthew the tax collector accepted the call to itinerant discipleship as well.

As Jesus’ mission grew, he urged prayer that God would raise up more people to help with the work. Our lesson text today immediately follows this call to prayer.

Called to Imitate -

Matthew 10:1–4 NRSV

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

This verse seems to represent fulfillment of the immediately preceding prayer for workers. This is the first time in Matthew that those followers closest to Jesus are designated by the expression twelve disciples. The word translated disciples occurs more than 250 times in the Gospels and Acts (only). It refers to those who subscribe to the lessons and lifestyle of a great teacher. The common practice is to live alongside one’s teacher in order to imitate the master’s behavior.

The action verb “called” of the previous phrase is now followed by the action verb gave. Before sending the Twelve on their mission, Jesus empowers them to do the miracles they have seen him do. If God’s will is to be done on earth as in Heaven - and it shall indeed be done in fullness on earth when Christ returns - then there should be no impure spirits or disease or sickness.

Alongside the rare designation “twelve disciples” (above) is the equally rare phrase twelve apostles. The meaning of the noun is “messenger,” which is how the word is translated in . The fact that this is the first time the Twelve are called apostles is quite appropriate, since this is the first instance of Jesus sending them to proclaim his message.

There are four listings of the Twelve in the Bible: ; ; ; and (lacking Judas the betrayer) . The names in the verse before us are always the top four in those lists, which seems to indicate their importance relative to the other eight. Simon … Peter is always listed first. This probably acknowledges his leadership among the Twelve. The order of the other three names here varies from list to list. Peter, James and John are sometimes referred to as Jesus’ inner circle, being privileged to witness things the others are not.

What are some ways to live out our own discipleship better as people sent by God?

Philip is from Bethsaida, the hometown of other apostles as well. His name always appears fifth in the listing just discussed. Bartholomew is generally identified as the Nathanael in . He is otherwise not mentioned in the New Testament. Thomas is the one whom many Christians today refer to as “doubting Thomas” because of his refusal to believe testimony of Jesus’ resurrection. This designation overlooks the courage he shows as the events surrounding his declaration in come to pass. It’s interesting that this is the only list of the four in which Matthew is designated the tax collector, a despised profession. And it is interesting to note that Matthew is the one who writes this particular list.

The collective identity of the 12 apostles is perhaps more significant than their individual biographies. All are close associates of Jesus. They are familiar with is lifestyle, teaching, and methods of ministry. They are therefore well-prepared to continue and expand his work.

Commissioned to Do -

Matthew 10:5–12 NRSV

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it.

The Gentiles are people who are not Jews. Free trade, travel and colonization have resulted in a diverse population, even here on the edge of the Roman Empire. Even so, devout Jews associate with neither them nor Samaritans. The latter are scorned for their mixed-blood heritage that resulted from the Assyrian conquest of 722 BC.

The instruction Jesus gives is not ethnic or racial discrimination. Jesus has a plan that includes an offer of the gospel to everyone. But the plan must unfold in an orderly, focused way. The plan’s progression is later laid out for the apostles as witnessing “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” ().

Jesus description of the target audience as lost sheep is consistent with his Messianic identity and mission as prophesied in and . The message the Twelve are to preach is identical to that preached so far by John the Baptist and Jesus. The message doesn’t change, only the messengers. On the meaning and significance of the phrases kingdom of heaven and has come near.

Which will be more important in presenting the gospel, the accuracy of the presentation or the perception that we are acting in the other person’s best interest?

In verse 8, the works that the disciples are enabled to perform are tied to Jesus’ proclamation of the coming of God’s kingdom. The miracles Jesus performed to establish the truth of his message will be the same for the Twelve. The disciples are not to accept payment. Their works are to proclaim God’s rule, not to enrich themselves.

What can modern Christians and churches do to demonstrate that God’s kingdom is present and active in the world?

The disciples are to travel light. Can you imagine a trip of several days when you don’t even have a change of clothing? They are not even to take a staff, which is a walking stick. Traveling with only the clothes on their backs, the disciples won’t have any need for a bag. The logic behind the instructions to travel light appears in the form of a proverb.

While the Twelve are not to solicit money for their preaching and healing ministry, they are allowed to accept room and board. They should expect to receive this from those to whom they minister. Worthy does not refer to people who are unusually spiritual, but rather to those who are receptive to the disciples’ message and willing to provide hospitality. When they come to a new town and begin preaching, they should offer a friendly greeting and blessing on any home they enter. Their approach should be a positive one, offering peace and healing and assuming that people will receive the message.

Counseled to Expect -

Matthew 10:13–15 NRSV

If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Here we find that in Jesus’ mind, there are only two ways to respond to his message accept it wholeheartedly or reject it. Since the disciples will preach Jesus’ message and use his methods, they should expect exactly the same outcomes. Notably, the success of the disciples’ mission is not measured in terms of how many people accept the message. The apostles are not instructed to stay in town until 75 percent of the population have heard or 20 percent of the sick have been healed; they have fulfilled their mission as soon as they have proclaimed the kingdom and demonstrated its power.

The symbolism of shaking the dust off graphically communicates that the disciples are not responsible for other people’s choices. While they are permitted to take shelter and food from those who accept them, they are to take nothing from those who reject the message - not even loose dirt from the road.

How will we know when it is time, if ever, to “move on” from a person who consistently resists the gospel message?

In verse 15, we come to an analogy between the disciples’ mission and the mission of angels to rescue Lot and family from Sodom (). Like the angels, the disciples bring a message of salvation. Those to whom the disciples preach will have more time than did Lot as well as much more evidence of the truth. If the healings, exorcisms, and lifestyle of the disciples do not convince them, they will have no excuse come the day of judgment.

Conclusion

In some respects, the mission of the 12 apostles was a test run for the later work of the 70 in , . Both missions were pilots for the imperatives of . These verses have become widely known as the Great Commission, often cited as convenient summary of Jesus’ instructions to all future followers. The church’s missionary efforts have long been grounded in that final teaching of Matthew’s Gospel.

While the Great Commission extends far beyond the area of Jesus’ earthly ministry, close inspection reveals that Jesus simply instructs his followers to do what he himself has done. He made disciples; now his disciples are to do the same. In many respects, the Great Commission is a nutshell version of Jesus’ own program. The question now is, will you get with the program?

Prayer

Father help us to be wise and courageous as we seek to fulfill your calling on us. Give us the strength and abilities we need to proclaim your kingdom whenever and wherever you need us to do so. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.