The Kingdom & The Twelve

Continued Healing, Exorcisms

Matthew 9:27–31 CSB

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Be sure that no one finds out.” But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that whole area.

Jesus Christ heals yet more ill people—and aren’t we all like these two men? We are blind, but Jesus makes us see!

While these men weren’t supposed to tell people, we Christians are required to tell people—so when God does something amazing for us, don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops!

Matthew 9:32–34 CSB

Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him. When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Jesus Christ casts out yet more demons, causing a mute man to speak—and this is what He does for us. Like we were blind, now we see, and like we were mute, now we sing praises to God!

But the Pharisees hated Him for His ministry and blasphemed the work of the Spirit, saying, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

The Harvest is Abundant

Matthew 9:35–38 CSB

Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Jesus was an exceptionally busy man, going all throughout the region preaching, teaching, and healing.

Throughout His ministry, looking at all the demon-possessed, ill, and lost, He was moved with compassion and lamented, saying, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.”

Then Jesus urges His disciples, and also us, to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into His harvest. There are countless churches without a Pastor, not just this one, and the church is in need of leaders.

Sheep need a shepherd, and Christians need church, and church needs pastors and ruling elders.

Matthew 10:1 CSB

Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus is one man and so long as He is mortal and a little lower than the angels, He cannot do everything alone—He needs helpers to go out into the harvest.

He summons the principal disciples—the Twelve—together and gives them authority over “unclean spirits” and “sickness.”

Matthew 10:2–4 CSB

These are the names of the twelve apostles: First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

An Apostle is one who has learned under Jesus and who is commissioned directly by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel to the nations. “Apostle” literally means “sent.”

Simon is listed first among the apostles, then Andrew his brother. Simon was an important leader in the early church, having the authority to loose and bind and the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

And Matthew the tax collector!—this is amazing, that the Lord would not only have compassion on someone like this but invite him into the fold and give him authority.

And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Jesus. We can’t know whether Jesus knew Judas would betray Him yet, but we know that Jesus still loved him even in the end. And He obviously trusted him enough to make him an Apostle.

Matthew 10:5–6 CSB

Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus’ ministry was first to the Jews, then to the whole world. Jesus is the new Israel, the heir of Israel, and its King. It is only after the King took His throne that He dispatched an invitation to the wider Gentile world.

Matthew 10:7–8 CSB

As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

When the Kingdom comes near, and the King approaches, chaos subsides in His wake, and with every graceful movement comes healing, restoration, forgiveness, and freedom. And we, the harbingers of the Kingdom are to freely give that which we have freely received: grace.

Matthew 10:10 CSB

Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.

They are to be totally committed to their mission, not tied down with worldly concerns. The worker who labors toward the harvest is worthy of his food, but the ministry is not a means to the end of worldly wealth or riches.

Preachers should not be making bank or rolling in dough. We Baptists, Pentecostals, and non-denominational Christians pay our pastors and ruling elders for food, clothing, housing—necessities without which one cannot live—not for private jets.

Matthew 10:11–15 CSB

When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave. Greet a household when you enter it, and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.