THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR

Matthew 10:1-42

(Background 9:35-38)

Key Verse 10:7

“As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'”

In this passage Jesus instructs his twelve disciples as he sends them out. In chapter 9:36-38, Jesus gave his view point on the purpose of sending out his apostles. 9:37-38 say, “37Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” We can learn from this passage important principles to carry out the work the Lord sends his disciples to do. For these instructions applied not only to the Twelve and this immediate case of being sent out on a short term journey, but for all disciples of all time (cf. Mark 13; Luke 21:5-19). Jesus later sent out seventy-two other disciples with these same instructions. He sends out his disciples into the Lord’s harvest field. Jesus challenged them so that they would stand firm and be found worthy of God, rather than be found wishy-washy in this world and be accepted by this world. 

[11 Principles of Apostleship to consider from this Passage:

1. Jesus is the Foundation

2. Coworking

3. Following the Lord’s direction (leading)

4. Keeping the Mission Centered in the Kingdom of God (priority)

5. Moving by Grace

6. Faith in God's Provision

Relying on the Holy Spirit

Looking Forward to Jesus’ Second Coming

9. Fearing God

10. Loving Jesus (self-denial)

11. Heavenly Hope]

Read verses 1-4. What did Jesus previously say about the purpose of sending out his disciples? (9:37-38) What does the “harvest field” refer to? How were the disciples equipped before being sent out? What kind of people did he call? Who do you think Jesus sends out at the present?

9:37-38: 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." 

>  When Jesus saw the crowds, he saw them as sheep without a shepherd. He was their good shepherd. He also saw the situation as a plentiful harvest but with few workers. He told them that they should ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. Now Jesus sends out his disciples into the harvest field which are people in this world. He wanted to bring people into God’s kingdom. 

* Jesus equipped them. Before he sent disciples out, he called them to him. Then he gave them the authority and power to carry out their mission. Those sent out by Jesus must come to him first and learn of him and from him. The authority and power comes from him as well. Actually, we see in this passage that everything comes from Jesus, the calling, the mission, the persecutions, the relief, the strength and power, and the reward. Jesus is the foundation and source for all our work from him from beginning to end. 

>The principle that verse 1 sets forth is that Jesus calls and Jesus gives to carry out his calling. It’s not a matter of how we can get this authority or that authority. But this: Jesus calls and Jesus supplies. He gives all that is necessary according to his calling. In our UBF ministry, the Lord has called and established us for campus ministry. And we must believe that he supplies the necessary authority and power to do this. 

See verses 2-4 for the list of names. Matthew tells us quite a bit about this group of men Jesus called. Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and John were professional fisherman from Galilee who worked together. Matthew was the tax collector Jesus calls in chapter 9. Simon was a “zealot”, which was like a strong nationalist. There were groups of zealots who were strongly opposed to Roman occupation and could be involved in terrorist activities against Rome. Judas would later betray Jesus. Matthew doesn’t tell us about Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus. 

> Jesus Twelve consisted of all kinds of different people. They were not the social or political elite of the day. They were average people who were blue collar workers, nationalist, tax collectors. They had been looked down upon, were social pariahs, and sinners. Jesus even welcomed Judas, whom he knew would later betray. Jesus’ calling of these Twelve and his plan to use them for God’s kingdom work, shows God’s hope and calling to all people regardless of background.

> He sent them out two by two, as we can see his organized them in pairs. Good coworking is an important principle in carrying out the Lord’s work. Jesus trained his disciples to carry out his work by coworking with others. We have to be able to work with at least one other person. If we cannot even do that, then we have a problem. Coworking is not an option or a burden. It is Jesus’ system. 

* We see that Jesus really wants to send out workers into the harvest field. Anyone who is a disciple of Jesus should pick up Jesus’ vision and heart for the Lord’s harvest field and be willing to accept his calling. 

Read verses 5-10. Where were the apostles supposed to go? What were they supposed to do? (7-8) How is this related to what Jesus had been doing? What should they not take along with them on the journey? What do you think he was trying to teach them?

See verses 5b-6. Although they went to Israel first, we see that they would also go the Gentiles in the future (17-20). God was fair in giving the message to Israel first. Jesus came to restore “David’s fallen tent” (Acts 15:16). 

>Also, they are called the “lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus had previously said that he saw the people as “sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus’ disciples should develop a truly compassionate heart for God’s “lost sheep” just as Jesus had compassion on the crowds, like a sheep caring for his sheep. We see that the challenging in this passage goes hand in hand with God’s compassion for his lost sheep.

See verses 7-8. 

What Jesus sent them out to do is exactly the same work he had been doing, as we see in chapters 8-9. He preached the word of God, the kingdom of God, he healed the sick, cleansed those who had leprosy, drove out demons, and raised the dead. What they were called to do was nothing short of what he was doing. At the root of what they were doing is the message of God’s kingdom which comes first, and which all the other things lead people to, just as Jesus had done.

>”Freely you have received, freely give.” It was Jesus’ grace to do these things. What the disciples received they received freely by grace. Now, based on that grace, Jesus sent them out to give freely just as they had received freely. We cannot forget his grace in serving the Lord’s kingdom work. 

See verses 9-10. They were not to take along what they needed for basic survival. Maybe they wondered how could they survive on their journey? 

Jesus wanted to teach them practical and daily faith in God to carry out the Lord’s work in every aspect. Even to the smallest provision, they had to trust in God, rather than in materials, themselves, or anything else. He sent them out and he would surely take care of them. 

Read verses 11-16. Where were the disciples supposed to stay? Who do you think a “worthy person” refers to here? What should they do if they are welcomed? What should they do if they are not welcome? Why? How could they be wise for the journey?

See verse 11.

It refers to the one who would accept them and listen to their message. It means, one who would accept Jesus. That was the qualification.

See verses 12-13. They were to let their peace rest on it and give it their greeting. It means that they had to bless those who welcomed them and give them peace. We see that peace based on God’s kingdom is something we can give, just as we can give something tangible. 

See verse 14. 

It serves as a testimony against those who did not receive the message of Jesus. It means that it was not the disciples who were rejected, but Jesus who was rejected. They were offered the gospel message of God’s kingdom, but they refused. This is why it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, because they did not get the opportunity that the disciples were giving to others. And we know how wicked Sodom and Gomorrah was and why the Lord judged them (cf. Gen 18-19). So see the importance of the message and work the disciples were sent to do as well as the seriousness of not accepting the message.

Jesus told them plainly that he was sending them out like sheep among wolves. It means that they were like prey to this world who would devour them and eat them up. Although they were honored by Jesus, the world didn’t see them that way, so they should be wise about what they do and how they do it for the sake of God’s kingdom. So, Jesus told them to as shrewd as snakes, yet as innocent as doves. Jesus’ disciples shouldn’t be so naive. Lambs are gentle. But they should be wise to serve God’s kingdom. 

Read verses 17-20. How will people largely respond to the apostles? (17-19) Why should they not worry about what to say at that time? (19-20) How will God use this persecution? 

They will reject them. They will have them put on trial and handed over to the local authorities as if criminals.

See verses 19b-20. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Heavenly Father, speaking through “you”. 

God will use it as the opportunity to witness of God’s kingdom to the Gentiles. They could get the message out to the whole world. 

>Here we learn reliance on the Holy Spirit who speaks through us. Through relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome fear when we have to give an account before others regarding our message of God’s kingdom. It is God’s work to witness to worldly authorities and to the Gentiles, meaning the rest of the world. And we see that the greater the challenges and difficulties, the greater the opportunity to witness. 

Read verses 21-33. To what extent will they face persecutions and rejections? (21-22) Yet why should they endure? (22-23) Why will the whole world treat the disciples this way? (24-25) How can Jesus’ disciples overcome all these hardships? (26-30, 32-33)

See verses 21. Persecutions and rejections will extend even to one’s immediate family, and even that “all men” will hate them. 

It is one thing to be hated by others, but to be hated and rejected by one’s family is deeply painful and difficult because the family is one’s closest bond. But we have to endure because those who stand firm to the end will be saved. We have salvation of our souls in sight, not merely to be accepted by others, even though it is painful. We are waiting for Jesus to return, and he is surely coming back (23b). And when he returns, it will be the end of the world as it is now, for he will bring God’s judgment.

>Faith in Jesus’ second-coming is very practical and important, as it strengthens us to endure the hardships in this world that come with standing firm in the gospel, so that we can see and welcome Jesus’ return on that day and be saved. We look forward to that day and get ourselves ready. 

See verses 24-25. They will suffer like this because of Jesus (22a). The world responds like this because of its sin. Jesus was betrayed and rejected, even to the extent of his own family (John 7:3-5). The world hated Jesus and it will hate his disciples (John 15:18-22). Jesus told the world that what it does is evil (John 7:7). And when we come in Jesus’ name with Jesus’ message, and as we live by faith in Jesus and strive to grow in his image and carry out his word by faith in him, we receive the same, if not worse, treatment as he received. Although no one took care of the people of this world like Jesus, they rejected him. Although humanitarians are accepted around the world for their good deeds, and although Jesus’ disciples do such good deeds in Jesus’ name, the world will reject them and persecute them because of Jesus. 

By fearing God, not people. Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid of men. All of these hardships are indeed real and difficult. But we must remember that people cannot do the real harm to us. When we fear God, we can overcome the wrong kind of fear and live courageously for God. (see Psalm 56:4) Further, we should have the hope of being acknowledged by God for our lives, rather than be acknowledged and accepted by him. How victorious it will be on that day. 

Read verses 34-42. What does the “sword” that Jesus will bring refer to? Why do you think this is the case? How can we be found “worthy” of Jesus? What do these verses show about the worth of being a disciple of Jesus even at such costs?

The “sword” refers to violence. It means that Jesus brings real conflict. But it is not violence from the disciples against others, but it is violence against the disciples. >The disciples work and message is not to feel good and get along with others. It is to stand firm in God’s kingdom which is opposed to this world. 

These verses show the absoluteness of the gospel message. Whether family or not, the gospel divides. 

By loving Jesus first above all things and being faithful to him, even though we lose everything else. When we love Jesus fully, it comes with self-denial and taking up our cross to follow Jesus. They should be found worthy of Jesus, not worthy of this world. On the other hand, if we love anything else besides Jesu first and are not faithful to him, we will lose our life. 

After hearing of all these hardships, one may think twice about being a disciple of Jesus. But these verses show why it is worth it to be a disciple of Jesus and stand firm to the end. Jesus says, “worthy of me.” The reward is Jesus himself and God the Father, for Jesus says, “worthy of me” and “he who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.” And in him we have salvation and eternal life (39). God will be pleased with our lives and welcome us into his kingdom. May God help us to stand firm by faith and serve the Lord fully, without compromising with this world. Rather may he use us to bring the good news of his kingdom to all nations and reap a great harvest for the Lord. 

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