Matthew Chapter 15

Matthew Chapter 15 outline:
Clean and Unclean  15: 1-20
The faith of the Canaanite woman 15:21-28
Jesus feeds the Four thousand 15: 29-39



Clean and Unclean  15:1-20
You may sometimes hear the term 'legalistic.'  It means a strict keeping of a law or code, without any feelings or understanding of the reasons behind it.  Here the Pharisees are worried that the disciples don't wash their hands before eating.  Now, that might sound good-after all, your mother probably says the same thing!  But they weren't worried about germs- they were talking about a ceremonial washing, involving an exact amount of water poured on in a special way.  It meant more to them than a hungry person needing help would mean. 
And Jesus knew it.  He pointed out to them that they had come up with religious 'traditions' that allowed a grown son to refuse to take care of his parents by deeding his property to the temple.  And they allowed such traditions to be more important to them than God's Law!  They weren't worried about God at all, just themselves.  Hypocrites, indeed! n
And Jesus told them that their actions and attitudes fulfilled a prophesy made by Isaiah.  It stated that their hearts and their words didn't match; their teachings were only man-made rules, not God's. 

There are 'Christians' today who worry more about what order the worship service follows than whether the Gospel is preached.  They have the same attitude as these Pharisees.  Be careful that you don't worship man's rules more than you worship God.  God sees what's in your heart. 

There's much talk today about 'tolerance' saying we don't have the right to judge another person's religious beliefs; notice that Jesus judged the Pharisees by the Word of God.  Since it's true, it will judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)  You can use it the same way. 

Matthew 15: 10-14
Jesus turned from these self-righteous hypocrites and addressed the crowd.  He probaboy realized that He wouldn't make any impression on the Pharisees, and hoped to help someone in the crowd understand.  'Unclean'- there were may clauses

Matthew 14

Matthew 13

      The Parables:  Parables are short stories that have both a surface meaning and an underlying meaning.  They possess both social and spiritual lessons that are timeless.  Jesus exemplifies the master teacher, presenting deep, spiritual truths in simple, contextual anecdotes. 

     As Chapter 13 starts at the point that Jesus had apparantley been in the house teaching, but the crowds were so great that He moved outside.  We gather how crowded it had become because in the last chapter, Jesus' family had not even been able to get close to him.  Here the people still crowded so close to him that he sat in a boat out on the water while the people gathered on the shore to listen.  And he told the parable of the sower.

The Parable of the Sower

     1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

     This is one of Jesus's best known parables.  Just what is a parable?  A parable is a short narrative or story that makes a moral or religious point using everyday objects as comparisons.  The farmer sowing seed was an everyday sight to the people of Jesus' day.  He talked of the seed falling on 4 different types of soil' the path, which was beaten hard so that  it couldn't grow and the birds ate the seed.  rocky places, obviously rock with a thin layer of soil over it,  where thorns are already growing; and good soil such as the soil of Galilee that grew good crops. 
     He finishes with the statement tat we heard in 11:15.  "He who has ears to hear let him hear"  He is letting listeners know that this simple little story has a deeper meaning.

          10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 

     People often say that Jesus taught the parables to make his point easier to understand.  That's not what He says!!  He says He taught in parables so that only those who were serious about learning from Him would understand.  "Whoever has........"  a desire for spiritual understanding, God will open their hearts to more knowledge; but those who don't want o understand, God will take what little they have from them.  Why?  That doesn't seem right! Because, He says, they have rejected it--they chose not to see or hear.  
     Again He mentions 2 groups' those who are eager to learn from Jesus and those whose minds are closed to His truths.  The second group fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah.   These people have closed their hearts to His message, because if they hadn't they might hear Him, understand and be spiritually healed.  They don't want that==they prefer their own ideas.  
     But Jesus tells his disciples that they are blessed, because they want to learn from Him.  Many had looked forward to the time the Messiah would walk the earth==Noah, Abraham, Moses, David--but they didn't life to see it.  Those gathered around Jesus to learn were privileged to see Him.  

     The question for each of us is, do you study the bible with learning in mind, or just getting the answers to random questions?  Do you show up to church just for fun and to see people, or do you enjoy learning the Word?  You do need to make and effort to understand' Jesus told stories to hid the truth.  But he's ready to help each of us understand.  When His disciples came and asked him questions, he was glad to share the answers.  And in John 14:26 He said the Holy Spirit 'will teach you all things' Just ask him and then; "blessed are your eyes because they see. "

      18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."    

     Now Jesus explains the parable of the sower to His disciples.  He doesn't identify the 'sower,' but this is anyone representing Christ, 'sowing" the seed, which is the message of His kingdom.  There are 4 types of soil, representing the hearts of those who hear the message.  The soil that has been beaten down so that the seed is eaten by the birds represents those who hear and don't understand, so that Satan easily snatches it.  The rocky sol is those who hear with joy, but have no depth of commitment and lose interest when problems arise.  The seed among the thorns show those who allow their worries and/or their interest in material things to take priority.  Last is the 'good soil, 'those who hear and understand and bear fruit. 
     Jesus says that the result of our witnessing depends largely on the state of the people's hearts.  Some hearts will be hardened so they can't understand; others will be so shallow they will quickly lose interest when problems show up.  Some will have hearts so full of care and worldly pleasures the Word will be choked out.  But there will always be some whose hearts will turn to God joyfully and bear much spiritual fruit!

     Remember John 15:5?  " I am the vine' you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  Examine your heart carefully-which category do you fit?  You'll only fit in the last group if Jesus is the most important thing in your life.  Remember, the test of the 4th soil was producing a crop.  And Jesus says you cant 'bear fruit' with out him
     And remember that the seed is God's Word.  We have to hear it and make an effort to understand it, or it can't take root and grow to produce a crop. 

 The Parable of the Weeds:

         24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."   

     Another parable from  Jesus, remember, He gave as the reason his parables that some truly wanted to learn from Him while others had already closed their hearts to Him 
Now he likens the kingdom of heaven to a man sowing wheat' at night an enemy comes and spreads weeds among the wheat.  When these weeds begin to sprout everyone realizes what has happened.  Some translations use the word 'tares' for the weeds, a plant also called darnel, which is difficult to tell from wheat until the heads of grain form.  
     The owner of the field tells his workers not to pull up the tares, or darnel, because it might uproot and damage the wheat plants.  They're left to grow until harvest time-the time when it's the easiest to tell the difference between the tow types of plants.  Then, says the owner, he'll tell the harvesters to harvest the weeds first, bundle them up, and burn them.  After that it will be easy to harvest the wheat and store it in the barn.  Remember, all the work  was done by hand at that time-no motorized equipment that just cut and gathered, unable to tell the difference between the plants as it harvests. 

So what does this tell us?
     The explanation to this parable is given in verses 36-43, when the disciples ask Jesus to explain it.  Remembering that He said He told parables to hide the truth from those who could not understand it, why don't you see how you do.  Study the parable and see what it says to you.  You may already know the answers, but read it as if you were hearing it for the first time.  Ask yourself, as you read if you're really following Jesus.  If you really want to understand what He's saying and are willing let Him be the top priority in your life.  Can you give up what you know is getting in the way of a Christian life?
    

Read the following parables during this week and we will get back together next week and discuss them. 

 The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

     31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." 33 Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

             34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."             

 The Parable of the Weeds Explained.  Remember back to the parable in verse 24.

      36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!    

 The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

         44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The parable of the Net

             47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." 51 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 52 Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."    

A Prophet Without Honor

         53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

     If you are not feeling like these are clear to you, don't worry.  We will discus them next week in class and here both.  But if you have any ideas please feel free to post comments. 

Have a very blessed week!!! 

Whats up with the Sabbath?

Information for Matthew Chapter 12

Why is the Sabbath so important to the Jews?  Why was Jesus constantly being criticized for what he did on the Sabbath?

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" 3 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

 

The day of the week for rest and worship for the Jews, observed on the seventh and final day of the week, is our Saturday.  This passage in Matthew is one of the many thought out the New Testament that illustrate the importance of the Jewish religious leaders had placed on the Sabbath, to the point of initiating of rules and regulations regarding its observation.  Two entire sections of the Talmud are devoted solely tot he details of observing the Sabbath.  In one area, the Shabbath, list 39 area of "labor" from which Jews were restricted during the Sabbath.  sowing, plowing, reaping, gathering into sheaves, threshing, winnowing, cleansing, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, washing it, beating it, dying it, spinning it, making a warp of it, making tow cords, weaving two threads, separating two threads, making a knot, untying a knot, sewing two stitches, tearing to sew two stitches, catching deer, killing ,skinning, salting it, preparing its hide, scraping off its hair, cutting it up, writing two letters, blotting out for the purpose of writing two letters, building, pulling down, extinguishing, lighting a fire, beating with a hammer and carrying from one property to another. 

Jesus" teaching that the Sabbath was not an end in itself- that the Sabbath was created FOR MAN, not man for the Sabbath- came in direct conflict with these views. 

Most early Christians retained the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath.  However because the resurrection of their Lord was the most joyous event in their lives, they began to gather for worship on the first day of the week as well ( Our Sunday)  and designated it as the Lord's Day.  later as the division between Christianity and Judaism increased, the Christians eventually abandoned meeting together on the seventh day and adopted the Lord's Day as their official day of worship and celebration. 

EXTRA Look back through the Old Testament at some of the instructions and guidelines the Jewish society had regarding the Sabbath.  Here are some references to get you started.  Exodus 16: 21-30 20:8 34:21, 35: 1-3 Leviticus 23: 1-3 Deuteronomy 5:12-15 I Isaiah 38 13-14, Jeremiah 17: 19-27.

Matthew Chapter 11

Jesus and John the Baptist

Scripture references for further study: John 1:24-34; Isaiah 35:5-6

1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

In verse one we start with being told that after the "class" he taught to send his 12 out to spread the Gospel, he went on to "teach and preach"  We think of these being the same thing but if you look at the definitions you find that they mean different things.  To preach is to proclaim or urge acceptance of, to deliver a message to an audience.  To teach is to interpret  the message, to instruct or explain.  Jesus was both a teacher and a preacher.  He delivered the message and showed people how to interpret it. 
Verse 2:  Remember that back in chapter 4:12 we learned that John the Baptist was in prison.  Now we see him sending some of the disciples to verify that Jesus is the Christ.  Sometimes this passage may seem that John was having doubts about it all, but that seems strange considering that John had proclaimed Jesus' identity.  (See John 1:29-34)  Maybe, he sent his disciples so that they could hear from the Master himself who he was, so that they would follow Him.  In John 1 : 35-37 John encouraged this.  But, he has also, now been in prison for a while so it would be understandable if he WAS having doubts.  After all, the Jews had expected a Messiah to put an end to Roman rule and establish a Jewish earthly kingdom.  Look carefully here, Jesus didn't  condemn the question, he just told the disciples all that he was doing, all that we have seen in the previous several chapters, and encouraged John to trust. 
For us, if we look at the progression with John, we see that its easy to believe, trust and follow the Lord when things are busy and happening and seem to be moving.  People re getting saved, excitement is in the air, you can declare your faith and just know nothing will change that for us.  BUT< when things settle down, and things start to go wrong, your family is squabbling, or even your church family is squabbling, things are tough at work, friends and others are laughing at your beliefs-- can you still follow Him with out doubts?  Probably not-- but there is nothing wrong with doubts.  Look at Elijah, in 1 Kings chapter 19.  He even wanted to die in this story.  What we need to know is that Jesus doesn't condemn us for our doubts.  He expects us to come to Him with them, the key is to sincerely ask for answers.  You can find others in your church or family or other places around you, but ultimately go to Jesus in the end.  He answered Johns questions and He will answer yours too.

 

 

             7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.            

Lets start with a short discussion of Elijah, whom many said that John the Baptist was incarnate of. 

Many Jews of the time read Malachi 4:5 to mean that the prophet Elijah would be returning  in person  to herald the coming Messiah.  If the people are willing to accept Jesus' explanation that John the Baptist is this promised Elijah, then they would be open to hearing the salvation message Jesus and his disciples were sharing.

This is taking place as John's disciples were walking away after Jesus's conversation with them.  The men who were preaching Johns message were being followed themselves. 

Jesus stops them and questions the people following Johns followers He wants to know what THEY had expected of John.  Certainly they had known he was not an elegant or refined man.  He was a prophet who was outspoken and rough and said what he thought.  But he was more than that.  He was the connecting link between the Old Covenant and the New one.  Jesus tells them that "there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist"  What praise, but then he goes on to tell them that even the least of the kingdom is greater.  John had probably never heard Jesus preach since he was put in prison so he only had the message of the kingdom on faith.  You can only enter the kingdom if you diligently seek it and intentionally want to follow Christ. 

He also was not the last of the Old Testament prophets but the first of the new Testament prophets.

Go through the Gospels and read everything you can find about John the Baptist, considering what Jesus said about him.  Try to imagine bin a jerw in his audience.  It would be pretty shocking and many listening didnt' understand what John saying.  Now consider Jesus' message as if for the first time.  Most of those listening tuned out the same way we do to anything we don't want to hear. 

Go back and read the Sermon on the Mount again and take it into your heart. 

Jesus started out talking to the direct followers of John, then he moved to the followers of that group.  Now he moves his circle out to the Pharisees, and the rest of the people. 

 

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."   

Jesus was harsh about the people who heard his message and not only ignored it, but tried to talk others out of believing it as well.  They are like children who cant be satisfied.  One group wants to play the flute and  dance but is turned down, the other offers to hold a mock funeral the other group doesn't want to do that so they just sit around and bicker.  What is He trying to say about  John the Baptist?  Jesus explains that John lived a very disciplined life full of self denial and very austere.  Did the Pharisees approve of his message and in him in general?  No.  Jesus, on  the other hand, lived among the people, going to parties, weddings, dinner parties and associating with people of every level of society.  Did the Pharisees approve  No. They are like bickering children who refuse to be pleased because they don't WANT to be pleased.  Jesus is trying to explain that it really doesn't matter what they think.  The rightness of both John the Baptist and Jesus can be seen in their ministries. 

The Pharisees condemned anything they didn't like with out trying to analyse or understand or evaluate it.  The question to ask is Do you do the same?  You need to be able to analyse and evaluate the preachers or teachers that you hear to decide if they are telling you the truth or not.  Study what they are saying and compare it against the Bible, THEN>>> look carefully at the way they live and the results of their ministry.  Compare that too against the Bible. 

We all don't have to be exactly alike.  We must accept our friends and even strangers even if they are different as long as they believe in and obey Christ.  John the Baptist and Jesus lived very different lifestyles but each was right. 



Woe on Unrepentant Cities

11:21-23pp -- Lk 10:13-15

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." 

Many people, today, say they could believe in Jesus if they could just see a miracle.  But Jesus here tells us that he DID perform miracles and healed sick people of deadly diseases but still the majority of the people in these cities were unmoved.  They ignored the Truth, completely.  Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were centers of wickedness and He says THEY would have responded.  He likely wept as He said this as Jesus wants EVERYONE to come to him.  He knows also that there will be a day of judgment and those who heard hand rejected Him will have bear the consequences and accept responsibility for their choice. 

He went on to pray.  Notice he praised His heavenly father that only those who recognize their helplessness when they hear the Gospel message can receive it.  It doesn't take wisdom and learning or money or anything else.  It only takes humility, a child-likenesses.  God chose to set things up in a way that rather than making it something we can earn or work for, it is something that God freely has chosen to give the authority for the kingdom to Jesus, His Son, whom we cant know with out belonging to Him. 
Many think those who are humble are wimps.  This is not true.  Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble at heart.  He also now calls us to 'come' and HE will give us rest.  This is a spiritual rest and He wont burden us with rules and duties. 

Rest for the Weary

11:25-27pp -- Lk 10:21,22

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

True humility is based on God's strength, and we can lean on Him and cast our troubles on Him, because HE truly cares for us (1 Pete 5:7)

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List and a little information about the 12 Apostles

To help understand who was being sent out to represent Jesus, here is a listing of the twelve disciples
Chapter 10 begins with a listing of the disciples that Jesus is sending out to represent him in this first ministry trip. 

 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: 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 son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.    .


Matthew 10:2 include
Simon, who is called Peter:  Simon Peter was the most prominent of the core group of disciples, easily becoming the natural spokesman and leader for the group during and following Jesus' earthly ministry.  Peter's purely human character has intrigued and encouraged many people who read the Gospel accounts.  Peters later ministry took him to Rome, where he was martyred under the roman emperor Nero. 

Andrew brother of Peter:  Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist.  After John pointed Jesus out, Andrew became a follower of Jesus and was ear to bring others along, immediately haring the news with his brother Simon Peter.  According to tradition Andrew was martyred in Achaia, crucified on an X-shaped cross ( now known as St. Andrew's Cross")

James the son of Zebedee: James and his brother, John, were tow of the first disciples Jesus called.  Known for their quick temper and impulsiveness, the brothers were given the nickname "Sons of Thunder"  Little is recorded about James' ministry after Jesus' ascension; James did, however, become the first of Jesus' disciples to suffer martyrdom, at the hand of Herod Agrippa in 44 A. D.

John brother of James and son of Zebedee:  Most scholars believe that the references throughout the Gospels to "the disciple whom Jesus loved" are referring to John, the brother of James and son of Zebedee.  John is credited with writing five New Testament books- the fourth Gospel, three epistles and Revelation.  Tradition records that John was the only member to da a natural death, through he did suffer at least one exile because of his beliefs to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. 


Matthew 10:3 includes

Philip:  Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee, the hometown of Andrew and Peter and may have been an early disciple of John the Baptist.  this Philip is not to be confused with the Philip described in Acts as the evangelist or deacon.

Bartholomew:  Little is known about this apostle, but he is probably the Nathanael mentioned in John 1
Thomas:  Known as Didymus (twin) Thomas is known both as a pillar of strength among the early disciples and for his initial doubt in believing that Christ had indeed risen from the dead.

Matthew the tax collector: Perhaps the most unlikely choice for one of Jesus' disciples, Matthew maintained a unique status in Jewish society.  A Jew who contracted with the Roman government to collect its exorbitant taxes from his own people,  Mathew along with all his fellow tax collectors was among the most despised and hated individuals in the nation.  The Jewish contempt for these individuals is evident by the numerous associations made throughout Scripture to the "tax collectors and sinners" 

James son of Alphaeus : Very little is known about this apostle.  The possibility exists that he and Matthew were brothers since in Mark 2:`4 Matthew (Levi) is also referred to as the son of Alphaeus.

Lebbaeus who's surname was Thaddeus  This apostle is mentioned just twice in the Bible, in tow of the lists of the apostles; nothing else is known for certain about him.

Matthew 10:4 includes
Simon the Zealot (or Canaanite) A different person than Simon Peter, this Simon was a member of a later Jewish political party known as the Zealots.

Judas Iscariot Not to be confused with the other apostle named Judas (Judas son of James) mentioned in two of the gospel listings of apostles, Judas Iscariot was the treasurer of the twelve.  His greed, resentment, and desire for personal power motivated him to betray Jesus to the Jews for thirty pieces of silver.  He is always found LAST in any listing of the Twelve. 

Matthew 10

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

10:2-4pp -- Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Ac 1:13 10:9-15pp -- Mk 6:8-11; Lk 9:3-5; 10:4-12 10:19-22pp -- Mk 13:11-13; Lk 21:12-17 10:26-33pp -- Lk 12:2-9 10:34,35pp -- Lk 12:51-53

1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. 

Here we start out with Matthew telling of the 12 disciples, their task and who they were.  A disciple is a learner, a student and Jesus had and has many disciples following him.  We should count ourselves in the number of disciples over the ages.  An apostle is someone who has the authority to represent someone and is sent out with a specific purpose.  The 12 that are listed are from the "inner circle" of disciples who are being sent on a mission representing him.          When you see these 12 listed in Mark, Luke and Acts you may see some variation in names as several of them had more than one name. 

Jesus sent them out with the authority to act in his name driving out evil spirits, healing the sick, even raising the dead.  Above all they were to preach God's kingdom coming and they were to charge nothing for their services just  as Jesus did.  They were to depend solely on the people taking nothing else with them, not even a change in clothes. 

When each of us is representing Jesus, he gives us the authority to do so but ONLY when we are representing him with truth, when we are being Authentic Christians.  We are also to serve Christ with out the aim of getting rich, but don't take this passage out of context.  This was a one time mission for this group.  In Luke 22:36 Jesus tells them to take a purse and even a sword.  We need to ask God each day what we are to take with us in to his ministry.

Now, why was this group told to go ONLY to the Jews?  First we have to realize that salvation was given to the Jews to begin with and then through them to the gentiles Romans 1:16 and also remember that Matthew was writing first to a Jewish audience and those who would have read his works would have known the special place they held in gods plan of salvation.  Again this was a specific trip he was sending them out on and Jesus, himself knew how overwhelming a task it would have been if at that time he had sent the 12 men out with the plan of sharing the Gospel with the entire none world.  Jesus's instructions here were of a practical nature, concentrate on developing a strong foundation believers with in the Jewish population people who would at least be familiar with the Scripture and Messianic prophecies before attempting to connect with Non-Jews.

11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his 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. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 

As the apostles traveled , preaching Jesus' message, they weren't to stay at the local Motel 6 but to stay in peoples homes.  Why?  Well, first because thy weren't carrying any money to pay for it with, but next because hospitality was a prized custom in the Middle East.     If they found people who seemed interested in their message they were to great the host with Shalom, meaning peace.  If, however, they were not greeted warmly as to share the message, so that its peace wont' be lost, they were to simply shake the dust off and move on to another more welcoming place.  There were several symbolic messages here:  The Jews believed that they should shake the dust off of themselves after any encounter with a Gentile.  So shaking the dust of an entire town off their feet when its people refused to listen would have been quite the insult to the town.  And as for being more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah?  God destroyed them for their wickedness if you remember.  Luke 12:47 explains the more we know the truth, the more we are expected to act upon it.  Think about what that really means in terms of OUR Mission.  Then Jesus tells them that they will be as helpless as sheep among wolves therefore they MUST have the shrewdness of a snake?  OK go back and read Genesis 3:1 the snake was evil, yes, but its wisdom isn't evil.  If they used wisdom with pure and righteous motives, that would protect them. 
We end this section with the reminder that our job is NOT to save people, but to plant seeds.  Even if our message is not well or even totally received, we have done our job and sometimes have to shake the dust from our own feet and move on.  The Holy Spirit is assigned the rest of the task. 

      17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their 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. 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 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.   

In this section we are reminded, again that it should NOT be easy to be a Christian.  Some of what Jesus is telling his disciples is prophetic for the future and some of it is for this current mission he is sending them out on.  There is not any account this early on as to them being brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles,     but we know it DID happen later on.  We have to be careful with the next verses 19 and 20 as it is easy to twist these to your own desire.  some have used this to say we don't need to study the bible because they will be given the words when they need to witness, but go back to the verse before and see that it tells us in context to refer to arrest and persecution for being a Christian, not for witnessing to a friend.  the power of the Holy Spirit is available to those being persecuted for their faith and this may even come from our own families.  People will hate  Christians even tot he point of killing them but eternal life is the reward for those who are faithful.  don't SEEK death though he says to fee when you are persecuted.  This last sentence is again prophetic and there are several ideas about the coming mentioned.  1 the second coming, 2. His resurrection and 3 the destruction of Jerusalem.  

Remember what we said earlier about the Narrow and Wide gates?  Many who think they are Christians are not and being a Christian means that you have to be willing to endure hatred and anger for what you believe.  It cant be a causal belief something set aside when it is inconvenient.  It has to fill your heart and mind to the point that you are willing to suffer and die for Christ, or maybe even more difficult I our current society, to live for him even if your friends turn against you.    


24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! 26 "So do not be afraid of them. 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. 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 apart from the will of your Father. 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. 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 

In the first 2 verses, Jesus refers to himself as the Teacher and master head of the house.  He tells them here that his disciples can expects to be treated the same way as Jesus was treated.  It is a bit confusing, but some even called Jesus "prince of demons"  (12:24) so his followers can expect the same and even more.  We are not to be afraid when things happen because of our Christian walk, ultimately everything will be brought out in to the light of day, the open, and judged.  We are told to witness boldly, and openly about or faith.  Jesus is telling both his disciples and us today that we have no need to fear even if witnessing puts us in physical danger, for the alternative is to put our soul in danger of eternal destruction.  Verse 28 clearly speaks of God, for Satan cant destroy your soul.  (Heb. 10:31) We MUST fear disobeying God rather than fearing people as God is our final judge but he is merciful and fair even caring about he fate of a single sparrow.  Jesus reminds us that no only does God know and care about us and what is happening to us at any given moment, he knows how many hairs are on each of our heads.  Another reason to witness openly, is that Jesus tells us here that he will treat you, as you treat him.  Claim him, he claims you... deny him?????????
Think clearly every day, you may not be actively denying Jesus with your mouth, but ask yourself, is your LIFE denying him?  Are you LIVING on the Narrow road?  Or on the Broad road?  If you have not been persecuted, consider whether or not you are truly living FOR him?

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.' 37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."


This is a very tough concept for us to grasp because after all.... Isn't God LOVE?  and now here Jesus is saying that he didn't come to bring peace to the earth but to bring a sword?  When faced with the Gospel Message, each of us by ourselves, from with in ourselves, just make a choice.  First, do we believe, or not in the message given us?  But even more than that, do we hold on to a half-hearted
conditional commitment to Christ, a commitment that only lasts while everything is going great for us, as long as no sacrifice is asked from us or that we are not asked to leave our "comfort zone"  or do we choose a relationship with Christ above all things and all other loyalties and commitments?  We must know that the choice will not always be an easy one to make and sometimes it is going to involve going against societal norms and taking some unpopular stances on issues. 

Jesus is also NOT saying that he came here to CAUSE fighting and divisions.  But because he came, people, through out all history, will have to choose.  They have to either choose his truth or the worlds lies.  And, sometimes those choices will separate families. It is not Christ who causes this strife, it is the pride and sin in peoples lives that cause it.  The up side is that Christ also says here that anyone who hears your witness and responds is treating you as he would treat Christ himself.  If anyone even gives a cup of cold water, he will certainly not lose his reward.  Often we hear this verse  misquoted, or at least with out the part that says "because he is my disciple."  Sure, kindness will be rewarded not just on this earth but in eternity, but Christ especially values the kindness done to his followers BECAUSE they are his followers.  We are supposed to do all we can for each other first then to the outside world.