Matthew 9:35-10:8- The harvest is great, the labourers few
Matthew has just told us of ten miracles Jesus performed ; he has cured people both physically and spiritually. He has “compassion” (9:36) on the “crowds” in their leaderless state, “like sheep without a shepherd”; he has announced that the completion of God’s plan, his harvest (9:37), to return all to godliness, is about to begin. Now he instructs and commissions his disciples.
Both the physically and mentally sick were seen as “unclean” (10:1), under the power of evil spirits and so separated from God. Jesus gives the twelve “authority” and power to heal as he heals. (“Apostles”, 10:2, means sent out or commissioned.) As is his practice, their mission is mainly to Jews, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (10:6, including the marginalised and outcast). The mission to all nations will be announced later (28:19). The “good news” (10:7), as Jesus and John the Baptist have taught, is that complete union with god is near. Vv. 8-10 should be taken together: the message of salvation is freely available to all; however, emissaries must be supported. do not waste time preparing for the mission. Missionaries are to depend on the local hospitality of “worthy” (10:11) people, i.e. those in favour with God; “greet” (10:12) them with the peace of God. do not waste time on people who are not open to the gospel (10:14); God will judge them harshly, as he did the ungodly in “Sodom and Gomorrah” (10:15). Being an emissary for Christ will not be easy: be wary and sincere. some will prey on you like “wolves” (10:16), bringing you before regional sanhedrins (“councils”, 10:17) and having you flogged. Some will bring charges against you to Roman prefects (“governors”, 10:18) and vassal “kings” under the Romans. Your endurance under persecution (“testimony”) will demonstrate to them and the world the validity of the gospel. At such times, the Holy spirit will prompt you to witness to the good news. The era of the Church is the era of the end times; as prophesied by Micah, these will be times of betrayal (10:21) and hatred: particularly of those active in Christ’s cause. However, persistent patience in the face of suffering will lead to salvation, to citizenship in God’s kingdom. The early Church understood 10:23b as foretelling Jesus’ return in their lifetimes. To us, it is perplexing.
© 1996-2025 Chris Haslam
Prayer of the Week
Lord, we beseech you to keep your family, the Church, in continual godliness, that through your protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve you in good works, to the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.