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Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10 Hostile Territory

by Paul George  
6/08/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 10:16-23

When Jesus sent the apostles to the lost sheep of Israel He told them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations" (Matthew 10:16-18 WEB).

When Jesus told the apostles He was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves and they will be handed over to the councils, scourged in the synagogues, brought before governors and kings, surely there must have been a wave of fear sweep over the apostles.

That they were to be sent among vicious, deadly wolves was our Lord's way of illustrating the dangers of confronting a Christ-rejecting, God-hating world with the message of the kingdom.

The Apostle Paul told the elders of the church in Ephesus; "For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29 WEB).

Sometimes the wolves are on the outside, but sometimes they are on the inside masquerading as shepherds (Matthew 7:15). Those inside the church masquerading as shepherds water down the gospel message. They do not talk about repentance or confession of sin. They do not talk about the importance of humbling oneself or hungering and thirsting for righteousness. They do not talk about obedience to the lordship of Christ. They do not talk about the narrow way that leads to salvation or the wide way that leads to destruction. They do not talk about going out into the world as sheep among wolves. The popular appeal today promises ease, comfort, riches, advancement, and ambition. But Jesus offers hardship and perhaps even death.

When Jesus called people into His service, He warned them of the hardships to come. He warned them they were entering hostile territory. He warned them there is a price to pay.

It is true that our struggle is against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). It is true Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), the ruler of the darkness of this world, is behind the demonic system. But its agents are human. Throughout the years men have imprisoned, crucified, burned, and stoned the saints of God. Men are the enemy and the greatest enemy is those masquerading as shepherds. That is why Jesus told the apostles to beware of men.

Note what Jesus told the apostles was the reason why they will be brought before governors and kings. He said it is as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. There is no way the apostles could be a testimony to governors and kings except some one brought them before the governors and kings. Then Jesus tells the apostles not to worry about what they will say. They do not need a predetermined testimony because it will be given to them what they are to say. Who will give the apostles what they are to say to the councils, governors and kings? Jesus told the apostles the Spirit of your Father will give them the words to speak.

Where is the Spirit of the Father when He gives the apostles the words to speak to the councils, governor, and kings? Jesus said He speaks in you. He is where? He is not outside speaking into the ears of the apostles; He is in the heart of the apostles.

When did the Holy Spirit enter into the hearts of the apostles? Was it on the Day of Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus? If the Holy Spirit did not enter into the hearts of the apostles until the Day of Pentecost following Jesus' ascension how could Jesus say the Holy Spirit was in the apostles when He sent them to go to the house of Israel?

Then Jesus tells the apostles where the evil that will come upon them will come from. Jesus said brother will betray brother, a father his child, and children their parents. There are times when the worst enemy of a follower of Jesus is his family.
Why will the apostles be hated by their family members and society? Is it because they are preaching the good news of the kingdom, healing diseases, sickness, and casting out demons? They will be hated Jesus said because of My name. It is not preaching and the performance of sign and wonders the people hate it is the mentioning of the name of Jesus they hate.

The Solution

What did Jesus tell the apostles they were to do when they are persecuted in one city; flee to another. Telling the apostles to flee to another city implies there was a limited time for the apostles to complete their ministry to the house of Israel. It also implies the apostle's time was limited. If the apostles are to complete their mission they can not remain in a place where they would be putting themselves in physical danger. They can not waste their time running after those who continually reject the call to repent because judgment is coming because the religious leaders and the people have rejected the Messiah. Because judgment is coming the apostles need to warn as many as they possible can.

Jesus warned the apostles they would not finish going through the cities and the Son of Man would come. Note Jesus did not say anything about the cities of the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Jesus was warning the apostles there is a judgment coming upon the house of Israel during the time they were preaching the good news of the kingdom, healing diseases, sickness, and casting out demons. Jesus is pointing ahead to a prediction He will make when He enters Jerusalem the week when He will be arrested, tried in a kingrod court, sentenced, and falsely executed. However there is good news; "he who endures to the end will be saved." Those who endure to the end will be saved from the wrath of God that will come upon all who hate His Son and abuse the workers in the harvest fields.

When Jesus sent the apostles out into the harvest fields He did not promise them a life of ease. Working in the harvest field is hard work. There are many dangers encountered in the harvest field. However a reward awaits those who are willing to work in the harvest fields of the Lord.

Are you working in the harvest fields? If you are not Jesus wants to give you a job in His fields.

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

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