Wage Peace

Date: 2022-04-24

Audience: Grass Valley Corps

Title: Wage Peace

Text: Matthew 10 (all)

Proposition: Jesus sent his followers to wage peace in the midst of rebellion

Purpose: Trust God and do the same

Grace and peace

Headlines the last several weeks have been filled with stories of war and pictures of suffering and death.

Can be hard to know how to respond.

As a follower of Jesus, when I wonder what I should do, I look to the instructions he gave to his earliest followers to see if it might give me guidance.

And in Matthew chapter 10, when Jesus starts sending his followers out into the world, we find a set of instructions which give us some idea of what he might say to us today.

Remember, he’s focused on explaining what it means for someone to live in the Kingdom of God. In this chapter, he’s sending people out to bring that message of peace and community and family to those who haven’t had a chance to hear it yet.

And summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could expel them* and could heal every disease and every sickness. 2 Now 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, 3 Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the sonof Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the one who also betrayed him. [1]

I’m using the Lexham English Bible today, because it’s more literal translation does a better job with a couple of phrases in our passage for today, but if you’re using the NIV or KJV or other widely accepted modern English translation you will find that even though a few words might be different, the meaning behind them is the same.

Remember that Jesus was being followed by a crowd of disciples at this point. It wasn’t just these twelve guys!

These men became the key group who would be responsible for carrying the message of Jesus out to the world.

Why twelve? Meaningful to Israel – 12 tribes – stood for all the people of God at this time. Jesus, according to Matthew’s story, has already made it clear that his teaching was open to EVERYONE, not just Israel, but the message was coming to Israel first because they were the people God had chosen to work through to bring his message to the world. These Twelve represented the original twelve, a true remnant of God’s people and God’s promises, and for many this would have made them a legitimate spiritual core to build a new spiritual reality out of.

All were men. Jesus had female disciples – one of the things that set him apart! – but in their culture women were not well accepted as teachers. While Jesus would point towards the need and means to change that, in this instance Jewish men were going to be more effective.

Effectiveness for the mission at hand may have been why he chose who he did in other ways too. These were mostly Galileans, and we will see in a moment that he was sending them specifically to reach people in the province of Galilee. They were also good representatives of the average person. We’ve got fishermen, representing a kind of working class, but also a middle-class kind of lifestyle, the way we would describe it now.

We’ve got a tax collector, probably wealthier, but definitely part of the political elite. Tax collectors were hated and treated by most as representatives of Rome, traitors to their own people. They would have been more comfortable among the power brokers and civil servants.

And we have a zealot, which at this point would have been reflective of the opposite political extreme from a tax man. He’d have been more comfortable in back-alley gatherings, hanging with the put on and powerless.

Quite a group. I bet their discussions got a little heated at times when they forgot to keep their eyes on Jesus. Which, from what we know, was pretty often.

5 Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them saying, “Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans, 6 but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.[2]

Translation issue: NIV – Don’t go “among” the Gentiles

NLT – Don’t go “to” the Gentiles

Literal trans from Gk says what LEB says – “Don’t go ‘on the road to’ the Gentiles. Jesus talking about an actual road! He’s giving them a direction about how far they can/should go on this trip.

When he says not to go into a Samaritan city, same thing. Not telling them to avoid Samaritans, telling them to stay in Galilee!

People read these weak English translations and think that Jesus is saying there are people who aren’t worth taking the gospel to when all he’s doing is the same as every parent: setting boundaries.

At mall this weekend in Claire’s. Told son he could wait outside, but needed to be where I could see him outside the store. He hasn’t been to a mall before, I’m not about to turn him loose to wander on his own yet.

Same deal here! Jesus sending his disciples out to carry his message, but he’s keeping them in the same general area he’s going to, for now. Later he’ll send them to other places, further places, even to the ends of the earth, but for now, stick to Galilee, just the northern province of Israel.

What is he sending them to do?

7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. [3]

What is the message they are carrying?

Same as Jesus! In fact, it is Jesus’ message. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Gives them the authority to act as his agents – send them with power to do the same signs they have seen him do.

This is what it means to be a disciple: To do as the teacher shows.

BTW, it doesn’t cost you to do these things, so don’t charge for them.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.[4]

They were expected to freely share what they had, but it was also expected that those they brought good news and wholeness to would share with them, meeting their needs.

This is an instruction to live simply. Not in it for the money!

Were to find someone who would take them in and give them a place to stay. Then stay there! Not hop away when or if a better offer comes along! That would shame the person they originally stayed with, which is COUNTER to the message.

Take special note of that, BTW. SHAMING SOMEONE IS COUNTER TO THE MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

[Why my grandmother didn’t go to church]

Instead of shame, agents of Jesus are to bring peace.

Peace = Eirene= shalom = restoration/wholeness

When invited in, disciples were to share this blessing – not just words!

If they or the message of Jesus wasn’t accepted, they are to let that peace return to them – means to go in peace. It doesn’t mean to turn and curse them or to take away what you have given. Simply accept that they are not interested or willing to accept what has been offered and move on.

Jesus offers this advice and instruction, should that circumstance arrive:

14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. [5]

I’ve heard preachers make a big deal out of this gesture. In later centuries, some rabbis taught that when you left a Gentile country you were to shake the dust off your feet as a sign that you were shedding the uncleanness of the place you had been. But that wasn’t a practice at this time. Instead, it seems to be Jesus saying that if this happens, his agents should just let it go. Don’t take the situation with them. Don’t be angry. If anything, mourn for those who reject the Kingdom, because that will cost them so much more that they realize.

This whole passage is really about hospitality and how it was supposed to work in those days.

When someone in need came by, you were to offer them the aid you could provide.

If someone entered your home, you were to do all you could to make them comfortable and cared for. You were to protect them, even if to was at some cost or risk to your own family.

In spite of what some have tried to turn it into, this was the message of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah from Genesis: Being hospitable to strangers, living in community, treating everyone as family.

It’s about what it means to live in the Kingdom versus what it means to reject the rule of God.

Jesus warns that there are many who are living in rebellion, and they won’t treat Kingdom agents any differently than they treat the King.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [6]

I’ve heard pastors say this means they don’t need to prepare or study to teach people because “the Spirit’s gonna give me what to say.” Hey, that might be true, to a degree. After all, nothing is impossible for God. But if you’re the toolbox he’s opening to address an issue, you can be one that holds nothing but a hammer or you can be equipped with a full set of tools.

I’ve demonstrated time and again that a simple Swiss Army knife is all I need to do home projects, but I’ve also seen that it can be a lot better to have a set of screwdrivers and a lot easier to use power tools than to assemble furniture with a pocketknife.

All of which is completely sideways from the warning Jesus is actually giving here, which is that some people aren’t going to like hearing that God’s Kingdom is here, and they may react strongly and take their unhappiness out on the messenger.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. [7]

“The Son of Man” is what Jesus called himself most often. There is history bound up in that title, which we aren’t going to go into today, but it means he could be referring to the time of judgment at his second coming or it might have meant that this particular group of guys on the ground could just keep moving until he caught up to them. Either way, I think what is most interesting is that he’s telling them to keep moving.

He’s not telling them to make a stand.

They aren’t supposed to be demanding that their rights be preserved.

They aren’t to be making a big stink about their mistreatment. They are supposed to keep moving, keep bringing the message to new places.

Remember, shake off the dust; let it go; go in peace.

Wow.

So much there – it’s hard to unpack!

I mean, I know we CAN do that, but does that sound like anything our culture or world EVER suggest we should do?

But Jesus tells them this is how they should deal with rejection of the message and he offers this to encourage them: Hey, I get the same thing.

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! [8]

It is enough for students to be like their teachers…

What other people do? That’s not what matters. What matters is what YOU are doing. And Jesus says that you are to do what HE says, what HE does, rather than worrying about what others tell you.

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.[9]

Jesus is like, “No secrets. Nothing hidden. What I’m telling you, you can take to the world, throw it up on TMZ, broadcast it however you want. This is open for everyone to know.

Then he offers the most important advice – something which speaks directly to whether you trust God or not.

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [10]

The original language here doesn’t say “hell,” it says “Gehenna.”

Gehenna = trash dump south of Jerusalem. Place where piles of garbage smoldered and burned constantly. Popular Jewish theology of the time said that in the last days, after God raised all people from the dead and restored them to living bodies, there would be a judgment. Afterwards, those who were not granted a place in the Kingdom of God would be cast into Gehenna or a place like it.

There are two big ideas here: First, death isn’t fatal – Jesus is telling his followers people will be raised up. Second, There is a judgment and division of those who are part of the Kingdom and those who rebel against it. So who should you strive to please? The King who will judge you or the humans who will be judged alongside you?

He then offers some encouragement:

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. [11]

If you’ve ever wondered if there are consequences for the choices people make, now you know. There are. And Jesus will be there to speak for you, if your allegiance is to him.

Seems simple enough, right?

Simple, but not easy.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“ ‘a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ i [12]

I’m sorry to keep breaking into what he’s saying, but I want to be sure you remember that this whole section we’re going over is all one piece. Some people try to take this part away from the rest of what Jesus has said to justify their desire to make war or otherwise attack people or groups. Uh, uh, can’t do that! Jesus has been VERY clear that any response to others is to be a Kingdom response: Care for them, bring them peace and blessing, and if they reject that, walk away without recrimination or striking back. As he taught in the Sermon on the Mount, love your enemies and pray for those who do you harm. We are to give love and care and blessing even to those who do what they can to harm us or those we care about.

Like I said, simple, but not easy.

Even members of our own families may find this to be hard to understand and may turn against us as a result.

Which sucks.

But we are to give priority to the King and trust in his justice and know that he cares for us and for every other person he made.

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. [13]

This is all about allegiance and priorities. It doesn’t mean you should love Jesus, but not your family. It means you follow the King and his ways, not those that others may try to convince you of – no matter who those others might be.

To take up your cross was a way of saying you were giving your life to something. When you picked up a cross, it was to carry it to the place you would be killed. We are to give Jesus our allegiance, even if it leads to our earthly death. Why? Because we aren’t to fear those who can kill our bodies. That doesn’t matter. What matters is allegiance to the King who made us and can remake us.

And our representation of that King, our work as his agents, will bring far greater blessing to those who accept it and respond to it positively. The work we do at his request is worth it. Accepting his agents is part of accepting the King and finding a place in the Kingdom.

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” [14]

These were the instructions Jesus gave to twelve key disciples, sending them out to spread his message to the people of Galilee ahead of him. Then we are told:

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. [15]

He sent them to prepare the way, to tell them who and what was coming, and then he came and fulfilled the promises.

As I try to discern how I should respond to the chaos and bloodshed in the world around me, I look at the example and teaching of Jesus. If I am his follower, if I am to act as his agent, presenting his kingdom as he would have it, what should I do?

I find that examples like this one make it clear that my job is to wage peace in the face of war. It is to bring healing where there is injury and illness. It is to take the light of Jesus to the darkest corners of the world, a promise of justice to places of oppression, and the encouraging Word of life to those fearful of death. And those who would spread darkness, evil, and destruction can accept peace and blessing and find their own place in the Kingdom by giving their allegiance to the King. Or they can reject him and his ways. Either way, I am to continue, undeterred.

Simple.

Not easy. But simple.

Just love but leave if that love is responded to with abuse.

Trust God and go on waging his peace wherever I go.

Will you join me?

Let’s share in a word of prayer.

Abba-father, Creator of me and of everyone else who ever has been or will be, teach me to follow your ways. Show me how to be a good agent for your Kingdom. Help me be ready to carry your light in the darkness, your message to those who need to hear it, and your peace into the very heart of war. Make me a blessing to all I encounter and help me to know when to move on and let rebels go their way.

Remind me that I am never to bring shame on others, but am to bless them and act kindly and with your peace in mind in all things.

In short, help me to be like Jesus, no matter how the world around me responds, because pleasing you is my priority.

I will need your help making that true, as my priorities often shift as I look out for my own interests because I have forgotten that I am your agent. I want to be faithful in all things! You say that I can be, help teach me how.

Thank you for the many blessings you have poured into my life. Help me to share those with the world.

As Ukraine and Russia struggle and the rest of the world takes sides and grows the conflict, help me find ways, large or small, to wage peace.

And make this true in the smaller conflicts which come to us all as well.

Thank you, LORD. We pray this for each and every one of us in the name and authority of Jesus, our teacher. Amen.

[1] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Mt 10:1–4. [2] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Mt 10:5–6. [3] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:7–8. [4] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:9–13. [5] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:14–15. [6] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:16–20. [7] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:21–23. [8] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:24–25. [9] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:26–27. [10] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:28–31. [11] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:32–33. [12] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:34–36. [13] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:37–39. [14] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 10:40–42. [15] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 11:1.