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Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10 Final Instructions

by Paul George  
6/08/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 10:24-42

Words of Encouragement

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. When the teachers and servants of the Lord enters the harvest field they must expect suffering, rejection, called detestable names and have their character questioned. The servants of Satan called their teacher and Lord claimed He was possessed by Beelzebub, the lord of flies. In this evil and wicked world the enemies of Satan are depicted as his cohorts and the enemies of the Lord and His servants are depicted as His servants. However, there is a day coming when it will be revealed who the servants of the Lord are and who the servants of Satan are.

Since a day of revealing who are the servants of the Lord and who are the servants of Satan is coming there is no need for the servants of the Lord to fear the servants of Satan. Jesus said His servants are not to fear those who can kill the body but unable to kill the soul. The fear of those who can kill the body becomes an obstacle and can turn the servant of the Lord from entering the harvest field.

The reason why the servants of the Lord are not to fear the servants of Satan whether they are spiritual or physical is their limited power. However, the servants of the Lord are to fear the One who is able to kill both the body and soul (Matthew 10:28).

There are two interesting points in the command to fear the One who can kill both the body and soul. The first point is the killing of the body has no effect on the soul. The soul does not fall asleep at the time of the death of the body as some claim. The soul has everlasting life. The soul is killed when it is separated from God and his love, which is its life. When the resurrection occurs the soul that has not been separated from the love of God will enter the glorified body of the servant of God and the soul that is separated from the love of God will enter the resurrected body of the servant of Satan; where does the resurrected body and soul of the servant of Satan go; into hell (Matthew 10:28).

Word of Assurance

"Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31 WEB).

Jesus is using the illustration of two sparrows and the number of the hairs on a servant of the Lord to reveal that God sees everything that happens in the harvest field.

"Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33 WEB).

It is the duty of every one who professes to be a servant of the Lord to confess He is their Lord regardless of the consequences. If the servant of the Lord confesses He is Lord Jesus is Lord before men Jesus will confess to the heavenly Father this is one of His servants. However, those who will not confess Jesus is Lord, Jesus will deny that one is one of His servants.

Requirements for service in the harvest field

The first requirement involves the reason why Jesus came to earth. This requirement involves a changing in the thinking of the apostles. In the requirement there are two vital points; the first is Jesus did not come to bring peace on earth. The second point is Jesus said He came to bring a sword. Here again we see a reference to prophecy. The prophecy is found in Micah chapter seven verse six.

The second requirement is commitment

Note what Jesus said in Matthew ten verse thirty-seven, "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me" (WEB).

While this may seem out of character, what Jesus is trying to get across to the apostles is He must be their first love. If He is not their first love they will leave the harvest field when they are persecuted. If they are to fulfill their mission in the harvest field their love for Him must be as strong or stronger than their love for father and mother, son and daughter.

"He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it" Matthew 10:38 WEB).

The point Jesus wants to get across in this verse is service in the harvest requires sacrifice. Just as Jesus gave His life for those who are like sheep without a shepherd the disciples must follow the example set before them.

Jesus wants the apostles to recognize the danger in seeking to save their lives when they are handed over to the councils, governors, and kings if they deny Jesus the result will be eternal separation from God. However, if they refuse to deny Jesus and lose their life the result will be eternal life in the presence of God in the kingdom of God. Jesus does not want the apostles to make the mistake many have made when they entered the harvest unprepared for service in the harvest because they placed more emphasis on this present life and not on the life beyond the grave.

In the harvest field those who receive the apostles into their lives receives Jesus and those who receives Jesus receives the One who sent Jesus.

The Rewards

While there is a tendency to play down rewards there are rewards for those who receive a prophet in the name of the prophet, for those who receive a righteous man in the name of the righteous man, and for those who give a little one a cup of cold water.

The source of the rewards is the receiving of Jesus. No one will receive a prophet's reward, a righteous man's reward, or a reward for giving a little one a cup of cold water unless they have first received Jesus and the One who sent Him.

Heavenly rewards are not based on what man does but on what our Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished through the shedding of His blood on the cross.

Matthew chapter eleven verse one marks the ending of Jesus' instructions, for the time being, to the apostles. Note what Jesus does, He went into the cities of the apostles to teach and preach the message the apostles are to preach in the cities and village of the house of Israel. If you were asked who the first pulpit supply was, you know who fills in for the pastor when he goes on vacation, what would be your answer?

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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