[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 10
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snake and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16)
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:30-31)
“Whoever acknowledges me before me, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32)
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of the little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42)
JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE (vs. 1-42)
The 12 disciples of Jesus are: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. He gave them the authority to drive out evil spirits, and heal every diseases and sickness.
Jesus gave the following instructions to the apostles (vs. 1-15)
- Go to the Israelites and preach them that the kingdom of heaven is near.
- Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leprosy and drive out demons.
- Do not bring any gold or silver or copper in your belts, nor any extra tunic, sandals or a staff.
- Stay at a worthy person’s house until you leave
- Let peace rest on those that is desiring
- Shake the dust off your feet when you leave the home that does not welcome you or listen to your words
Jesus gave the following warnings to His disciples (vs. 17-23)
- People will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. Do not worry what or how to say for the spirit of your Father will speak through you.
- You will be betrayed by your family members – brother vs. brother, father vs. child, children vs. parents.
- All men will hate you because of me but you must stand firm to the end.
Assurance from the Lord (vs. 26-32)
- Do not be afraid of them because they cannot kill both the body and soul.
- Your very hairs are numbered by the Lord. As the Father protects the sparrows, He will also protect you because you are worth more than many sparrows.
- Those who acknowledge me before men, I will also acknowledge them before my Father in heaven.
Anyone who wants to be worthy of Christ must love Him more than anyone. He must take up his cross and follow Him. Anyone who receives God’s servant is receiving me and will receive a reward.
RELECTION:
When Jesus sent out His disciples, he described them as sheep being sent among wolves. That is why He gave this advice: “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (v. 16). He was giving them a general principle about the technique of Kingdom’s work. As Gospel is hostile to the world, we must be wise (avoiding the snares set by the enemies) and we must be innocent (serving our Lord heartily). Jesus wants us to counter deception using serpent’s famous shrewdness in a positive way. Jesus displayed wisdom in many ways. He discerned His audiences by using parables and story telling techniques to teach and preach. When the Pharisees and teachers of the law tries to entrap Him, He knew how to counter them with wisdom. Therefore, being wise (shrewdness) is an asset if used properly. That is the quality that Jesus told His desciples to model. Strike the optimal balance between the dove and serpent. Be gentle without being pushovers and be sacrificial without being taken advantage of.
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