Matthew - Words of Caution

In today's study from Matthew 10:11-23, our Lord tells His disciples, a word of caution and encouragement as He sends them out to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Don’t Waste Your Time

vv.11-15 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.  (12)  And when ye come into an house, salute it.  (13)  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.  (14)  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  (15)  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

They were not to waste time on people who rejected their message. Some of the apostles did just that (cf. Acts 13:51, 18:6).

Word of Caution

v.16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

This is a word of caution. They were to keep their eyes and ears open. They were to be cautious because they were heading out completely penniless and would need to depend upon the graciousness of others.

Strength and Guidance

vv.17-20 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;  (18)  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  (19)  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  (20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

This is not justification for poor study and preparation but a promise for strength and guidance when that time comes. Spurgeon used to say, “A call to ministry is a call to prepare.” We do our part and trust Jesus to do His part. Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Jesus said in John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Persecution

vv.21-23 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  (22)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.  (23)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The extent of their persecution would be not only from their families, but from city to city. Jesus knew that their preaching was going to be divisive.

Enduring to the End

Notice, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved” in v.22.

Many have looked at this as a verse to prove that you can lose your salvation. However, this verse has nothing to do with the issue of salvation. The gospel had even been preached yet!  There was no church! It was a word of encouragement to those who would most likely pay the ultimate sacrifice for their obedience.

The Son of Man’s Return

Notice, “Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” in v.23.

This statement has one of two meanings. Either, the Lord really meant that He would return to this earth before his disciples made it through all of the cities of Israel. That would make him a liar. Or it means that He will be bringing judgment against them before they were able to make it to every city in Israel. This judgment came in 70 A.D. at the hands of Titus.

Matthew - The Calling of the Twelve

In today's study from Matthew 10:5-10, we see the calling of the twelve apostles, their mission, method, and ministry.

The Kingdom of Heaven

vv.1-4 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (4) Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Here we see the selection of the twelve. The word “apostle” means “one sent forth.” Jesus was also called an apostle (Heb 3:1).

Their Mission

vv.5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,  Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  (6)  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  (7)  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Notice that their initial ministry was to the House of Israel only. Why? – Because it was the gospel of the Kingdom that was still being preached. Most will say that at Pentecost they were baptized by the Holy Spirit for a new purpose: to preach salvation to both the Jew and the Gentile (Acts 1:8).

However, others will contend that only the Apostle Paul was sent to the gentiles. This is called Mid-Acts Dispensationalism. They would contend that the original twelve only ministered to the House of Israel and that only the Pauline epistles were written to the church. E.g., the Gospels, some of Acts, and Hebrews through Revelation are to the Jew, and only the later part of Acts and Paul’s letters were written to the Church.

Their Method

v.8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

They were given “sign gifts” and powers which served as their credentials such as the shadow of Peter in Acts 5:15-16 and Paul’s handkerchief in Acts 19:11-12.

Ministry of Faith

vv.9-10 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,  (10)  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Theirs was to be a ministry of faith. They had to go out completely trusting in the Lord to provide for their every need. It wasn’t until later that Paul declared that the pastor should live “of the gospel.” Paul said in 1Ti 5:17-18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

I’m amazed at how many people will pay a plumber to fix their pipes, a mechanic to fix their car, a doctor to fix their cold, a dentist to fix their teeth, but will pay nothing for a pastor to fix their lostness and carnality. I’m afraid that too many churches are not doing the right thing when it comes to their pastors. Listen to what Paul said in 1Co 9:1-12, “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?  2  If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.  3  Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,  4  Have we not power to eat and to drink?  5  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and asthe brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?  6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?  7  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?  8  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?  9  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?  10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.  11  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is ita great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?  12  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”

Matthew - The Shepherd Ridiculed

In today's study from Matthew 9:23-10:4, we see how our Lord responded to ridicule, how he further proved that he was the Great Shepherd, and the calling of the Twelve.

The Shepherd of the Sheep

vv.23-38 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,  (24)  He said unto them,  Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.  (25)  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.  (26)  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.  (27)  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.  (28)  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.  (29)  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.  (30)  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.  (31)  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.  (32)  As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.  (33)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.  (34)  But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.  (35)  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  (36)  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  (37)  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Here, Israel is depicted as a flock with no shepherd. (v.36). Their past shepherds had scattered them (Eze 34:1-6). Thus, they needed a shepherd who would regather and care for them. He was presenting himself as that Shepherd! He now begins to perform miracles to show that he was not only willing but able.

The Enemy of Death (vv.18-19, 23-26)

First, He shows them that he could protect them by defeating death and healing them.  He does this by raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Paul also said in 1Co 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He was Ridiculed (vv.23-26)

The people ridiculed him. I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus did not let the stupidity of others stop Him. Neither should we! It’s been said, “When the morning's freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday, when the leg muscles quiver under the strain, the climb seems endless, and suddenly nothing will go quite as you wish: it is then that you must not hesitate." We cannot allow other’s stupidity make us quit!

The Enemy of Disease (vv.20-22)

Second, He proved He could protect them by defeating disease. He did this by healing the woman’s issue of blood that even the doctors could not cure. In Luke’s account, he says that this woman had “spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any (8:43).” He did this to prove that He was their long-awaited Messiah.

Content to Touch the Hem

I find it interesting that the woman was so secretive about the whole thing. Why didn’t she just yell out to Jesus? Why was she content to only touch the hem of His garment? I submit to you that she was unclean and was not supposed to be there. The Law states in Lev. 15:19, “And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.” She was violating Mosaic Law.

The Enemy of Darkness (vv.27-31)

Third, He proved He could protect them by defeating darkness. He did this by giving sight to the two blind men. Mat 4:16  “THE PEOPLE WHO SAT IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT, AND UPON THOSE WHO SAT IN THE REGION AND SHADOW OF DEATH LIGHT HAS DAWNED."

The Enemy of the Devil (vv.32-34)

Fourth, He proved He could protect them by defeating the Devil. He did this by casting the Devil out of a man who was dumb. This shocked the religious leaders because they believed that it was impossible to cast out a demon until you have first made him tell you his name. Well, that would have been hard because this man was mute!

Israel’s Bondage

Again, the Lord did these things to prove to them that he was indeed their long-awaited Messiah.

Chapter 10

The Kingdom of Heaven

vv.1-4 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (4) Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Here we see the selection of the twelve. The word “apostle” means “one sent forth.” Jesus was also called an apostle. Hebrews 3:1 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

Besides these twelve and Jesus, it is also used of Paul, Barnabas and Matthias. They were chosen by the Lord Himself (including Paul) or by the Holy Spirit as w/ Matthias and Barnabas (The Twelve, Matt 10:1; Paul, Acts 9:6; Matthias, Acts 1:16-26; Barnabas, Acts 13:2).

Apostles Today

Are their apostles today? No. Why do I say that? The only qualification for the calling of an apostle is found in Acts 1:20-22 after the fall of Judas and a replacement was sought. It says, “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. The Bible lists five ministry gifts found in Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; While I do not believe that the office of apostle is open today, I do believe that the missionary and church planter fulfill the function.

On that note, I do not believe the office of prophet is open today, I still believe in the gift of prophecy. The word prophecy can mean to “foretell” or to “forthtell”. While, no doubt, God can still use men to “foretell” through the gift of prophecy, the overwhelming use of the gift is used by the pastor/teacher to “forthtell”. 

Matthew - The Shepherd of the Sheep

In today's study from Matthew 9:18-38, we look at how our Lord set out to prove that he was indeed the Great Shepherd of the scattered sheep of Israel.

The Shepherd of the Sheep

vv.18-38 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.  (19)  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.  (20)  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:  (21)  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.  (22)  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.  (23)  And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,  (24)  He said unto them,  Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.  (25)  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.  (26)  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.  (27)  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.  (28)  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.  (29)  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.  (30)  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.  (31)  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.  (32)  As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.  (33)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.  (34)  But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.  (35)  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  (36)  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  (37)  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Here, Israel is depicted as a flock with no shepherd. (v.36). Their past shepherds had scattered them. Cf. Ez. 34:1-6 Thus, they needed a shepherd who would regather and care for them. He was presenting himself as that Shepherd! He now begins to perform miracles to show that he was not only willing but able.

The Enemy of Death (vv.18-19, 23-26)

First, He shows them that he could protect them by defeating death and healing them. He does this by raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” 1Co 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Deity of Christ (v.18)

In v.18, we see his deity displayed by allowing the man to worship him. This would have been blasphemy had Jesus not been God (Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 22:8-9).

Touch vs. a Word

On another note, notice that this man wanted Jesus to come and lay His hands upon his daughter. Totally the opposite of the centurion in Matthew 8:8 who only wanted him to speak a word. I don’t see anything different here except that the Lord made us all different. Cf. Ezra and Nehemiah’s leadership styles (Ezr 8:22 to Neh 2:9 and Ezr 10 to Neh 13:23).

Matthew - Law and Grace

In today's study from Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus explains that Law and Grace is an either/or proposition.

The Bridegroom

vv.14-15 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (15) And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bride chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

The disciples of John raised a question concerning fasting. They wanted to know why they and the Pharisees fasted often while the disciples of Jesus didn’t fast at all. So, Jesus answers their question.The disciples of Jesus were not going to fast as long as Jesus was with them. People in the bride’s chamber don’t fast while the bridegroom is with them. But they would fast when He was gone.

New vs. Old Garment

v.16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

Now he begins to introduce a completely new way of doing things as compared to the Old Testament. He says that a man doesn’t fix a tear in an old garment by sewing in a new piece of cloth. When the new cloth shrinks, it will tear the old garment.

New vs. Old Wine Skins

v.17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

If one puts new wine into old bottles they will break. Why?  - Because the old leather bottles have already expanded to their full capacity. The point that Jesus was making was that his teaching was new. The Old Testament Law brought by Moses from Mt. Sinai brought death. The New Testament Grace brought by Jesus in the Law of the Kingdom (Sermon on the Mount) brought life.

Paul explained it this way: the first Adam (the Law) brought death, but the second Adam (Jesus) brought life (Romans 5:15-21). The bottom line is that you can have Law and you can have Grace, but you cannot have Law with Grace or Grace with Law. It’s either or and not both (Galatians 5:1-4).