Lessons From Matthew 10: 12 Disciples
Jesus Commissions the Twelve Disciples
In Matthew 10:5-42 we have the record of the first Christian ordination ever to take place. And Jesus gave both immediate instructions and instructions for sometime further down the road.
In verses 5-16 Jesus told His disciples:
where they should go
the message they should preach
how they should think about money
what they should expect
the character they should show
In verses 5-6 Jesus instructed these disciples first with a warning and the specifics of where they were not to go, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter into any town of the Samaritans.” “Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.”
From the beginning of time God had promised the Jewish nation a Messiah. He promised a King who would rule and reign over their nation, one who would come to save them. The problem was not that God had failed to do so but that the Jews had failed to see or believe in the one He sent.
And so in order to continue to pursue the Jews, He told these men to give this message of good news that the kingdom of God was near, in the person of Jesus Christ.
God had chosen the Jews and these disciples to tell the rest of the world about Him. Though the Jewish nation as a whole refused to obey God and clearly rejected Him, God still honored His promise.
In verse8 Jesus instructed them that as they went, they were to repeat what they had seen Him do: heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who had leprosy, and to drive out demons. Their motivation was to be out of the abundance of what they had received freely from God themselves. Jesus said freely you have received from God, so freely give.
Since God has showered us with His blessings, we too should give generously of our time, love, and possessions.
Verse 9 was a temporary command in that Jesus was teaching these disciples He would provide all they had need of. He gave them specific but temporary instructions for what they should and should not take with them.
They were not to take any money with them. They were not to pack their bags, or take any extra clothing or shoes. These disciples were to depend on God and trust Him to provide through those they served. They were not to be hindered or weighed down by any material possessions, but rather to fully trust in God to provide their every need. And He would place the burden of their needs upon the people who would care for them in practical ways.
The gospel was to be presented without a price, and yet the minsters of God would need a place to lay their heads, food to eat, and clothes to wear. It was up to those who loved God to care for His chosen workers.
This makes clear the principle that God’s people should support God’s ministers.
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach