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John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 10
MacArthur - During New Testament times Jewish rabbis would often train their students to speak by standing beside them and whispering in their ears. What the student heard whispered he would then speak aloud. What the Lord has, in effect, whispered in our ears through His Word we are to speak aloud to the world, holding nothing back. What the Lord has made known to us, we are to make known to others. (See Matthew Commentary) B B Warfield has a very insightful comment on why Jesus spoke in darkness (in parables) but at the same time was instructing His disciples to speak in the light - The strength of our Lord’s emphasis on this important declaration just on this occasion finds its explanation of course in the need that had arisen to guard from misapprehension His own methods of teaching. For a change had just been introduced into His modes of instruction, from which His disciples might be tempted to infer that Christianity was a double system, with an esoteric and an exoteric aspect. Our Lord, who had hitherto spoken plainly, had suddenly begun to speak in parables; and He had not concealed from His disciples that His object was to veil His meaning. Was there not introduced thus the full-blown system of esoterism? It is to correct this not unnatural inference that our Lord declares so emphatically that the truth He is teaching—even in parabolic form—is a lamp, and has for its one end to shine; that what is now hid and made secret under this parabolic veil, is hid and made secret not that it may not be made known, but just that it may be made known. The impulse to use parables thus arises from wisdom and prudence in teaching, not from a desire to conceal. He teaches in parables in order that He may teach; not in order that He may not teach (ED: RECALL THE TIME HE TAUGHT OPENLY IN NAZARETH AND IT AROUSED SUCH OPPOSITION THAT THEY TRIED TO KILL HIM - Lk 4:24-29+). This method of veiled teaching, in a word, is forced on Him by the conditions under which He is teaching and arises from the state of mind of His hearers (ED: MOST OF WHOM REJECTED HIS TRUTH); it is not chosen by Him in order to conceal His meaning, but in order to convey it to those for whom it is intended (ED: GOOD SOILS - THOSE WHO HAVE EARS TO HEAR). It is with Him either to teach thus or not to teach at all; and He consequently teaches thus. This is the fundamental doctrine of parabolic teaching. I do not say it is the whole account to be given of it....the adoption of parabolic teaching has a punitive side—as, indeed, it could not fail to have—with reference to those who could and would not endure sound doctrine; whom it puzzled, therefore, rather than instructed. But this is the fundamental account of it (parabolic teaching). And what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops - Jesus is speaking figuratively. Hear whispered is a picture of us reading the Word, meditating on the Word and the Spirit illuminating the Word ("whispering" in our ear). Similarly proclaim on the housetops is a call to speak forth what we have heard from the Word, boldly and clearly so that others can hear (like a man calling from on top of a roof who can be heard from a great distance). Public announcements were often made by crying out from the housetops to reach as many ears as possible. MacArthur - Fraternal orders and lodges that have secret rites and ceremonies have no part in the work of Christ's kingdom, no matter how much they may try to defend their religious purposes and standards. All spiritual and moral truth that man needs to know and can know God has already fully made known; and His desire is for that truth to be proclaimed, not hidden. Christians are not elite defenders of man-made secrets but bold proclaimers of God-given truth. Secrecy has no part in the gospel. (See Matthew Commentary) May all thy disciples present to Thee their opened ears, and then use in Thy cause their fire-touched tongues! Spurgeon Commentary God is the great revealer, and, you should imitate him by publishing the truth to men. Go on, true believers, with your proper work, as mouths for God. Tell out what your Master tells you. Receive a message from himself in your quiet meditation, and then make it known everywhere. Hear it like a whisper in your ear, and then sound it forth as the eastern town-crier, who gets to the highest point in the village, and makes all the people hear from “the housetops. ” Keep the study and the closet out of sight, and there in secret meet with Jesus; and then set the pulpit of testimony in as conspicuous a place as you can find. If plunged “in darkness ” of sickness, trouble, or distress, listen to him whose voice is heard in the thick darkness, and then “speak ye in light ” the profitable lessons ye have learned. Lord, let no one of us speak till thou speakest to him, and then let him not be silent. May all thy disciples present to Thee their opened ears, and then use in Thy cause their fire-touched tongues! Darkness (4653) skotia from skotos = darkness) means literal darkness in some NT uses (Jn 6:17, 20:1), but more often (14/16x) is used figuratively to refer to spiritual darkness. In every NT figurative use, darkness is contrasted with light in all but one passage (1Jn 2:11). As noted below "Darkness has no existence by itself, being definable simply as an absence of light." Skotia - 13v (a favorite with John) - Matt. 4:16; Matt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; Jn. 1:5; Jn. 6:17; Jn. 8:12; Jn. 12:35; Jn. 12:46; Jn. 20:1; 1 Jn. 1:5; 1 Jn. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:9; 1 Jn. 2:11 Spurgeon's Sermon Notes - Matthew 10:27—“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” Usefulness is the great desire of our souls if we are disciples of Jesus. We believe that it will most surely be attained by our making known the gospel. We have full faith in “the foolishness of preaching.” We feel that we have need to receive that gospel personally from the Lord himself, or we shall not know it so as to use it aright. We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude. I. AN INVALUABLE PRIVILEGE. The disciple is associated very nearly with his Lord, and received into closest fellowship with him. We see before us three important matters. 1. We are permitted to realize our Lord’s presence with us personally. He is still on speaking terms with us: still is he our Companion in the night, our Friend in solitude. 2. We are enabled to feel his word as spoken to us. Immediately: “I tell you.” Personal contact. Forcefully: “in the ear.” Not as thundered from Sinai, but as whispered by “a still, small voice.” Still, very effectually. 3. We are privileged to receive such communications again and again: “I tell you. ye hear.” We need precept upon precept, line upon line. Our Lord is willing to manifest himself to his own day by day. We shall be wise to make occasions for hearing his voice in solitude, meditation, prayer, communion, &c. We shall do well to use occasions of the Lord’s own making such as the Sabbath, sickness, the night-watches, etc. We need for a thousand reasons this private tuition, this personal communication with our Commander-in-chief. II. A PREPARATORY PROCESS. We do not rightly perceive what we have to make known till Jesus personally imparts his holy teaching to our inmost hearts. We see by reason of personal contact with our Lord— 1. Truth in its personality; living, acting, feeling; for he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Truth is no theory or phantom in Christ. Substantial truth is spoken by him. 2. Truth in its purity is found in him, in his written teaching, and in that which he speaks to the heart. Truth from man is mixed and adulterated; from Jesus it is unalloyed. 3. Truth in its proportions; he teaches all truth, in its true relations. Christ is no caricaturist, partisan, or politician. 4. Truth in its power. It comes strikingly, persuasively, convincingly, omnipotently from him. It quickens, and sustains. 5. Truth in its spirit. His words are spirit, life, love. 6. Truth in its certainty. “Verily, verily,” is his motto. 7. Truth in its joyfulness. He speaks delight unto the soul. The truth in Jesus is glad tidings. See the advantage of studying in Christ’s College. III. THE CONSEQUENT PROCLAMATION. What Jesus has told us alone in the dark we are to tell out openly in the light. Courting publicity, we are to preach “upon the housetops.” What is this message which we have heard in the ear? We bear our willing witness that— 1. There is peace in the blood of Jesus. 2. There is sanctifying power in his Holy Spirit. 3. There is rest in faith in our Lord and God. 4. There is safety in conformity to our great Exemplar. 5. There is joy in nearness to Jesus our Lord. As we hear more we will tell more. Oh, that men would receive our earnest testimony! Will not you receive it who hear us at this present hour? PRIVATE PENCILLINGS Claus Hames, one of the most useful preachers in Germany, once met a friend to whom he told how many times daily he was obliged to speak. His friend presently asked, “But, Friend Hames, if thou hast so much to say, when art thou still? And when does the Spirit of God speak to thee?” That simple question so impressed Hames that he resolved from that time to devote a portion of each day to retirement and silent study. “How is it?” said a Christian man to his companion, as they were both returning from hearing the saintly Bramwell, “How is it that Brother Bramwell always tells us so much that is new?” The companion answered, “Brother Bramwell lives so near the gates of heaven that he hears a great many things which the rest of us do not get near enough to hear.”—J. H. Hitchens. Of a certain preacher it was said: “He preaches as if Jesus Christ were at his side. Don’t you see how every now and then he turns around as if he were saying: ‘Lord Jesus, what shall I say next?’ ” Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from thee. F. R. Havergal. Then sorrow touched by thee grows light, With more than rapture’s ray; As darkness shows us worlds of light We never saw by day. Thomas Moore. Men learn in suffering what they teach in song. Possessors of divine truth are eager to spread it. “For,” as Carlyle says, “if new-got gold is said to burn the pockets till it be cast forth into circulation; much more may new-found truth.” A servant was desired by his master to carry a present of fish to a friend, and to do it as quickly as possible. In all haste the man seized a basket, and set out; but when he reached his journey’s end he became a laughing-stock, for he had forgotten the fish: his basket was empty Teacher! Preacher! let not the like happen to thee. Often in the South of France have I needed to have a fire lighted; but I have found little or no comfort from it when my wish has been granted. The dwellers in that mild region build their fire-places so badly that all the heat goes up the chimney. No matter how big the blaze, the hearth only seems to warm itself. Thus many professors of our holy faith would seem to get grace, and light, and pious feeling for themselves only: their heat goes up their own chimney. What is told them in the dark they keep in the dark, and that which is spoken in their ear never blesses any other ear.—C. H. S. Oswald Chambers - The discipline of heeding What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. Matthew 10:27. At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God’s hand until we learn to hear Him. “What I tell you in darkness”—watch where God puts you into darkness, and when you are there, keep your mouth shut. Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will talk in the wrong mood: darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason of the darkness, but listen and heed. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get into the light. After every time of darkness there comes a mixture of delight and humiliation (if there is delight only, I question whether we have heard God at all), delight in hearing God speak, but chiefly humiliation—‘What a long time I was in hearing that! How slow I have been in understanding that! And yet God has been saying it all these days and weeks.’ Now He gives you the gift of humiliation which brings the softness of heart that will always listen to God now. The Secret Chamber Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. —Matthew 10:27 Today's Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-5 People have some needs that are excruciatingly deep. Poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, “Never morning wore to evening, but some heart did break.” We find ourselves in conversation at times with heartbroken friends and may feel at an utter loss to know what to say. How can we “speak a word in season to him who is weary,” as it says in Isaiah 50:4? Telling people what human teachers have taught us may have some impact on them. But the most helpful or persuasive words are spoken by those who are taught by the Lord Himself. That’s why it’s essential for us to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him. The more we receive from Him, the more we have to give to others. George MacDonald pictures this time with the Lord as having “a chamber in God Himself.” He continues: “Out of [that] chamber....man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made.” The comfort God has given us He wants us all to share With others who, with broken hearts, Are caught in deep despair. —Sper Listen to God’s heart, then speak from your heart to others. F B
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MacArthur- God even knows the very hairs of your head and they are all numbered: One, two, three, four, and with some of you He runs out pretty quickly, right? The average is 150 thousand hairs. That's average. And I'm a little shy of that and so are some of you, but six billion people on the world, you can do a little math and find out how many numbers God has to keep everybody's hair. And what about when one falls out, does He catch that? If it is, He knows it. He doesn't acquire information. What's the point of saying that? The point of saying that is: Look, you better fear God because He knows everything, everything, absolutely everything. Back in the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 14:45, 2 Samuel 14:11, 1 Kings 1:52 is a familiar Old Testament phrase, "Not one hair of your head shall fall." By the way, that same phrase is in Luke 21:18, same thing about the hairs of your head. "Yet not a hair of your head will perish." That was God's way of saying when judgment comes, I'll protect you. I'll protect you. You'll also find it in Acts 27:34. God knows every hair on every person on the planet. He knows the minutest, most inconsequential details because if it is, He knows it. So don't think somehow you don't need to fear God because in the end something will slip by. Ah, it won't slip by. The truth will be uncovered, hell awaits the hypocrite, and God knows everything. (A Certain Cure for Hypocrisy, Part 1) James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - OUR HAIRS NUMBERED “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:30). Observe, “numbered,” not simply counted. Dr. Pierson has pointed out that “every hair has its own number, and if one had disappeared that number has gone out of the list. What marvellous thought it is!” Note the statement just before this: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” This means more than that God knows: it means that He is with the fallen bird. This is wonderfully comforting, especially when we remember that we are of more value to Him than many sparrows. David Jeremiah - ONE-ON-ONE CARE MATTHEW 10:29, 31 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from Your Father’s will.… Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. God is the God of the individual. He is the God who would spare Sodom if someone there could demonstrate faith. When the destruction came, He got His people out because of His love for the individual. He was the one who saw Nathanael, sitting under a fig tree, and later talked to him one-on-one. He’s the one who cared about Cornelius, who was praying by the sea. He’s the one who sent two messengers to Rahab so that she could know what to do before the judgment came. God knows who you are. He sees you in the massive crowd on this overpopulated globe! He knows you, He loves you and He cares. The same God who is the God of patience is a God of passion for the individual. He is the only one who can take us as we are and not only keep us from the judgment, but lift us up out of the mire and put our feet upon the Rock. He’ll give us all we need to become all He ever wanted us to be. (Sanctuary) Spurgeon Sermon Notes - Matthew 10:30—“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” How considerate of our fears is the Lord Jesus! He knew that his people would be persecuted, and he sought to cheer them. In how sweet and homely a way he puts things! He deigns to speak about the hairs of our head. Here is a proverb, simple in words, but sublime in sense. We think we see four things in this sentence. I. FORE-ORDINATION. The text may be read, “have all been numbered.” It is of the past as well as of the present. 1. Its extent. Predestination extends to everything. All the man; his being as a whole is foreknown. “In thy book all my members were written”: Ps. 139:16. All that concerns him is foreknown; even to his hair, which may be shorn from him without damage to life or health. All that he does; even the least and most casual thought, or act. All that he undergoes. This may affect his hair so as to change its colour; but every hair blanched with sorrow is numbered. 2. Its source. The counting is done by the Lord. 3. Its lessons. Jesus mentions this fore-ordination for a purpose. To make us brave under trial. To teach us to be submissive. To help us to be hopeful. To induce us to be joyful. 4. Its influence. It ennobles us to be thus minutely predestinated. If God arranges even our hairs, we are honoured indeed. To be the subject of a divine purpose of grace is glorious. II. KNOWLEDGE. We are known so well as to have our hairs counted. Concerning this divine knowledge let us note— 1. Its character. Minute. “The very hairs of your head.” Complete. The whole man, spirit, soul, and body, is thus most assuredly well known to the Omniscient Lord. Pre-eminent. God knows us better than we know ourselves, or than others know us; for neither we nor they have numbered the hairs of our head. Tender. Thus a mother values each hair of her darling’s head. Sympathetic. God enters into those trials, those years, and those sicknesses which are registered in a man’s hair. Constant. Not a hair falls from our head without God. 2. Its lessons. Concerning consecration, we are taught that our least precious parts are the Lord’s, and are included in the royal inventory. Let us not use even our hair for vanity. Concerning prayer. Our heavenly Father knoweth what things we have need of. We do not pray to inform him of our case. Concerning our circumstances. These are before the divine mind, be they little or great. Since trifling matters like out hairs are catalogued by Providence, we are assured that greater concerns are before the Father’s eye. III. VALUATION. The hairs of our head are counted because valued. These were poor saints who were thus highly esteemed. The numbering mentioned in the text suggests several questions. If each hair is valued, what must their heads be worth? What must their bodies be worth? What must their souls be worth? What must they have cost the Lord, their Redeemer? How can it be thought that he will lose one of them? Ought we not greatly to esteem them? Is it not our duty, our honour, our joy to seek after such of them as are not yet called by grace? IV. PRESERVATION. The hairs of their head are all numbered, because they are to be preserved from all evil. 1. From the smallest real loss we are secured by promise. “There shall not a hair of your head perish”: Luke 21:18. 2. From persecution we shall be rescued. “Fear not them”: Matt. 10:28. 3. From accident. Nothing can harm us unless the Lord permits. 4. From necessity. You shall not die of hunger, or thirst, or nakedness. God will keep each hair of your head. 5. From sickness. It shall sanctify rather than injure you. 6. From death. In death we are not losers, but infinite gainers. Resurrection will restore the whole man. Let us for ourselves trust, and not be afraid. Let us set a high value upon souls, and feel an earnest love for them. PINS “Hairs”—of which ye yourselves are heedless. Who cares for the hairs once dragged out by a comb? A hair is a proverbial expression for an utter trifle.—John Albert Bengel. If God numbers their hairs, much more does he number their heads, and take care of their lives, their comforts, their souls. This intimates that God takes more care of them than they do of themselves. They who are solicitous to number their money, and goods, and cattle, yet were never careful to number their hairs, which fall, and are lost, and they never miss them: but God numbers the hairs of his people, and not a hair of their head shall perish: Luke 21:18. Not the least hurt shall be done them, but upon a valuable consideration: so precious to God are his saints, and their lives and deaths!—Matthew Henry. There are who sigh that no fond heart is theirs, None loves them best—Oh! vain and selfish sigh! Out of the bosom of His love He spares— The Father spares the Son, for thee to die: For thee He died—for thee He lives again: O’er thee He watches in His boundless reign. Thou art as much His care, as if beside Nor man nor angel lived in Heaven or earth: Thus sunbeams pour alike their glorious tide To light up worlds, or wake an insect’s mirth: They shine and shine with unexhausted store— Thou art thy Saviour’s darling—seek no more. John Keble. An Italian martyr, in the sixteenth century, was most cruelly treated in the prisons of the Inquisition. His brother, who with great difficulty obtained an interview with him, was deeply affected by the sight of his sufferings. “My brother,” said the prisoner, “if you are a Christian, why do you distress yourself thus? Do you not know that a leaf cannot fall to the ground without the will of God? Comfort yourself in Christ Jesus, for the present troubles are not to be compared with the glory to come.” If pestilence stalk through the land, ye say “This is God’s doing”; Is it not also his doing when an aphis creepeth on a rosebud?— It an avalanche roll from its Alp, ye tremble at the will of Providence; Is not that will concerned when the sear leaves fall from the poplar? Martin F. Tupper. Matthew 10:31 “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Mt 6:26 12:11,12 Ps 8:5 Lu 12:24 1Co 9:9,10 So do not fear - Third time - Mt 10:26, 28, 31! Remember that this calls for a lifestyle attitude - Do not fear is present imperative with a negative which means either stop fearing or do not begin fearing them. Either way such courage is not natural but is supernaturally enabled by the Holy Spirit that they might obey Jesus' command! Related Resources: How To Handle Fear Part 1 How To Handle Fear Part 2 How To Handle Fear Part 3 How To Handle Fear Part 4 The Fear of the Lord Anxiety (merimna) - Word Study Anxious, be anxious (merimnao) - Word Study Anxiety-Worry-Quotes, Devotionals & Illustrations you are more valuable (diaphero) than many sparrows - Explain why we should obey His command. Jesus says in Lk 12:5, "Fear Him," and in this verse "Do not fear." The point is that when fear God, you won't fear men because you are of more value than many sparrows. The implication is "Be fearless, trusting." Hindson - the child of God is secure in Christ, both now and forever. Nothing can ever harm a believer in thus life, apart from the permission of God according to His perfect will. (See KJV Bible Commentary) Life Application Study Bible (page 68) - Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not our peers’ estimate. Other people evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve, and how we look. But God cares for us, as he does for all of his creatures, because we belong to him. Thus, we can face life without fear; we are very valuable to God. J
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MacArthur - THE APOSTLES CHOSEN TO HAVE AN IMPACT Daily Readings From the Life of Christ Volumes 1-3 - Page 7 Jesus … gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.—MATT. 10:1 Jesus granted the twelve disciples God’s divine authority to do exactly what He Himself had been doing. To do the kinds of works Jesus did would demonstrate they were sent by Him, just as what He did demonstrated He was sent by the Father. The book of Acts catalogs the very works Jesus gave them the authority to accomplish. The apostles cast out many unclean spirits and healed every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Peter and John healed a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple (Acts 3:2–8). Their ministry became widespread: “At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people.… Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed” (Acts 5:12, 16). To the man in Lystra “who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked,” Paul said, “ ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And he leaped up and began to walk” (Acts 14:8, 10). The apostles manifested the kind of kingdom power that their Lord had manifested, and by their faithful obedience they turned Jerusalem and then the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Jesus promised they would do even “greater works” than His (in extent, not power), and His words began to be fulfilled. ASK YOURSELF Are your words and expressions of faith pointing others to Christ? Are they reflective of His distinct power and the presence of His Holy Spirit within you? If you sense yourself burning low in the power tank, where do you think the leak is occurring? Be sure that what you do points to Christ. Matthew 10:1–42 ALL NEEDS MET - Day By Day - Denis Clapham THE LORD commissioned His apostles; “Go”, He said, v. 6. Before they were ever “sent forth”, v. 5, however, He first “gave them power”, v. 1. The Lord always provides a supply of strength proportionate to the task He sets. From the day that David was anointed king, the Spirit of the Lord came on him, 1 Sam. 16:13. If Elisha was to be prophet in Elijah’s “room”, 1 Kings 19:16, then he would receive Elijah’s mantle and a double portion of his spirit, 2 Kings 2:9–15. When the Lord calls He always equips and meets all needs. Jesus told the apostles to whom to go, vv. 5, 6, what to do and say, vv. 7, 8 and how they would be supported, vv. 9–13. Then He told them how they were to act if people rejected both them and their message, vv. 14, 15. He would later go on to speak of the eternal rewards in store for those who cordially received His ambassadors, vv. 40–42. But first, vv. 16–39, He paused to warn the disciples of the severe opposition which they would face and to give them some words of encouragement. The apostles were to be as shrewd as the serpent and guileless as the dove, because they would be exposed to the slaughter as sheep, unable to protect themselves, v. 16. They could expect trouble from both civil and religious authorities, from both Jews and Gentiles, vv. 17, 18. The Lord assured them that they need not be over-anxious, vv. 19, 20. Although “unlearned”, Acts 4:13, they would be able to withstand their superiors in authority and knowledge by reason of the Spirit’s guidance. Neither need they be fearful, vv. 26, 28, 31. Why should they fear suffering when it conformed them to their Master?, vv. 24, 25. They could also look forward to a time when their integrity and triumph would be openly acknowledged, vv. 26, 27. They need not fear foes whose power was limited; those who could harm the body and no more, v. 28. Fear has no place in the heart which realizes that the most trivial incidents of life work only for good. God cares for details, v. 30. He cares too for the common sparrows; how much more for His children, vv. 29, 31. Without anxiety about their words or fear for their safety, the disciples should confess Christ and love Him above all others, vv. 32–39. Authority- Martin Manser - Christian Quotations He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1 NIV Jesus came and said to them [the eleven disciples], “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18 NRSV Everyone is to obey the governing authorities, because there is no authority except from God and so whatever authorities exist have been appointed by God. Romans 13:1 NJB No authority has power to impose error, and if it resists the truth, the truth must be upheld until it is admitted. Lord John Acton It is right to submit to higher authority whenever a command of God would not be violated. St Basil the Great Cast away authority, and authority shall forsake you. Robert Hugh Benson Self-chosen authority is an impertinence. Jesus said that the great ones in this world exercise authority but that in his kingdom it is not so; no one exercises authority over another because in his kingdom the king is servant of all. If a saint tries to exercise authority, it is a proof he is not rightly related to Jesus Christ. Oswald Chambers Authority is not a short way to the truth; it is the only way to many truths; and for men on earth, it is the only way to divine truths. Vincent McNabb Men desire authority for its own sake that they may rule, command, and control other men, and live uncommanded and uncontrolled themselves. Sir Thomas More John MacArthur - “Having summoned His twelve disciples . . .” (Matt. 10:1). Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith - Page 2 ✧✧✧ A good example is the best form of teaching. Matthew 10:1 is Christ’s official commissioning of the twelve men He handpicked to serve beside Him during His earthly ministry. Mark 3:13 says He “summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.” In John 15:16 He tells them, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit.” This is not their call to salvation but to service. With the exception of Judas, they were already saved. Before the foundation of the world God chose them to be redeemed in Christ, and they had responded accordingly. Now Jesus was calling them to a specific ministry. God always chooses those who will be saved and serve within His church. But between salvation and service there must be a time of training. For the disciples it was a period of three years in which Jesus Himself trained them as they experienced life together from day to day. That’s the best form of discipleship. Classrooms and lectures are helpful, but there’s no substitute for having a living pattern to follow—someone who models Christian virtue and shows you how to apply Biblical principles to your life. Paul understood the importance of such an example. In Philippians 4:9 he says, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things.” He said to Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12). Peter followed suit, admonishing the church elders not to lord their authority over those in their charge but to be godly examples (1 Peter 5:3). Whether you’ve been a Christian for many years or just a short time, you are an example to someone. People hear what you say and observe how you live. They look for a glimpse of Christ in your life. What do they see? How would they do spiritually if they followed your example perfectly? ✧✧✧ Suggestions for Prayer: Thank the Lord for those who are examples of godliness to you. For Further Study: What do the following verses indicate about your salvation? John 15:16; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4; and 2 Thessalonians 2:13. ✧ According to Ephesians 2:10, why were you saved? Vance Havner - The Twelve Sent Forth Matthew 10:1-23 THE sending forth of the disciples upon their first preaching tour (Matt. 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6) has been the favorite pretext of misguided fanatics through the centuries. Time and again, some erratic soul has taken these commands literally and endeavored to practice them even to the point of the sandals and staff. They overlook the very first statement of our Lord in Matthew's account—that this mission was purely local and temporary, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Later on (Luke 22:35-36) when they must face a hostile Gentile world, they are given entirely different instructions and bidden to provide themselves with swords. But it is also true that in Matthews account, further on in our Lord's discourse (vv. 16-23), He seems to go beyond the immediate application, giving a prophecy about the trials and persecutions which they would undergo following His ascension. There we have an application that stretches through all the Gospel age. Next He says: "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come." While there is a sense in which Christ "came" in the destruction of Jerusalem, or even earlier in the empowering of the Spirit of Pentecost, we are looking here at the ministry of the faithful remnant of Israel in the last days before our Lord's second advent. The disciples prefigured the faithful witnesses in the time of Israel's great trouble before our Lord comes in judgment. The rest of Jesus' message to the twelve contains general principles applicable to any age. What He had declared to them privately must be proclaimed aloud, without fear of men who could destroy only the body. Note that our Lord declares that He came not to bring peace but a sword and that He is the great divider, separating even families in their allegiance to or rejection of Him. In these days when light and easy things are being said of our Lord and He is pictured as the Great Pacifist with a gospel of brotherhood, sweetness and light, we need to remember that really Jesus Christ has been and is the most dividing force in all history! He who is not with Him is against Him, and he who gathers not with Him scatters abroad—so with the sharp, two-edged sword of the Word, Jesus Christ splits the whole human race asunder to the right and to the left. He unifies those who are in Him, but He is the great Divider of humanity—and this age will see division to the end over the supreme issue. Where do we stand with regard to Christ? His gospel is the savor of life unto life or of death unto death, and by Him the thoughts of all men are revealed. Although many of the literal commands of this commission of the twelve are not for us, it would be a great day if His witnesses now so comfortably settled in established positions could go forth with the abandon of these early missionaries. Alas, with too many of us, the adventure of the Cross has become a fixed professionalism. We need the old abandon of those who, having freely received, freely gave. Vance Packer - The 70 and the Samaritan Luke 10:1–37 Our Lord sends out seventy disciples (Luke 10:1–24) with a charge similar to that given to the twelve in Matthew 10. Once in a while, some literal-minded questioner wants to know why preachers do not now go out without purse or scrip, according to these directions. This was local ministry to Israel under conditions vastly different from ours. Later, when His disciples must face a Gentile world, our Lord gave quite different instructions (Luke 22:35–36). Later, the seventy returned with joy, reporting that even the devils were subject unto them. Our Lord answers, “I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” He was with them in their ministry and saw Satan defeated, and here He also sums up in a flash his final defeat—even as he fell from heaven (Isa. 14:12–19) long before, a sight which our Lord doubtless beheld. Revelation 12:7–12 also pictures this fall of Satan. Our Lord is assuring them that as He saw Satan fall at first, so He sees him finally defeated—which is typified by their success in casting out demons. After giving them power over the enemy our Lord bids them not to rejoice in that, but that their names are written in heaven. The sole ground of our rejoicing is not in our powers or successes, but in the unmerited and undeserved grace of God. Jesus thanks the Father that the profound truths of heaven have been kept from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes, the childlike (Matt. 18:3). He tells His disciples that they are privileged to see what prophets and kings had longed for. Marvelous truth—that the greatest revelation of all time was made to the humblest, the simple and lowly disciples who received Him gladly! It has always been so through the ages in His subsequent revelations through the Spirit. “More blessed are they that see not, yet believe” (John 20:29) and “not many wise or mighty or noble are called” (1 Cor. 1:26–31). The familiar story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) was given instead of argument to the lawyer who asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He thought only Jews were his neighbors, and our Lord makes two Jews pass by in this story while the hero was a Samaritan. This must have been distasteful to the lawyer. Moreover, Jesus did not give the nationality of the wounded man, so that any nationality may be meant. Whoever needs our help is our neighbor, and whoever helps another is a true neighbor, so it works both ways. It was a masterful presentation of a mighty truth, so skillfully done that the lawyer was obliged to confess the truth so evident. Our Lord then bids him, “Go thou and do likewise.” The truths of the Word are not merely for reading and inspiration. We are to “go and learn what this meaneth.” “Teaching them to observe”—not merely to know but to do—is His command. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Just As I Am Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority. Matthew 10:1 Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 10:1, 5–10, 16–20 The young woman couldn’t sleep. Having suffered with a physical disability for many years, she’d be center stage at a church bazaar the next day to raise funds for higher education. But I’m not worthy, Charlotte Elliott reasoned. Tossing and turning, she doubted her credentials, questioning every aspect of her spiritual life. Still restless the next day, she finally moved to a desk to pick up pen and paper to write down the words of the now classic hymn, “Just As I Am”: “Just as I am, without one plea, / But that Thy blood was shed for me, / And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, / O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” Her words, written in 1835, express how Jesus called His disciples to come and serve Him. Not because they were ready. They weren’t. But because He authorized them—just as they were. A ragtag group, his team of twelve included a tax collector, a zealot, two overly ambitious brothers (see Mark 10:35–37), and Judas Iscariot “who betrayed him” (Matthew 10:4). Still, He gave them authority to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons” (v. 8)—all without taking any money, luggage, extra shirt or sandals, or even a walking stick with them (vv. 9–10). What’s your current situation or status in life? What doubts have you expressed about your readiness to be used by God? Jesus, bid me to come to You, fully dependent on Your grace and power to make a difference. Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; apostles: Lu 6:13 Lk 9:10 11:49 22:14 Ac 1:26 Eph 4:11 Heb 3:1 Rev 18:20 Simon: Mt 4:18 16:16-18 Mk 1:16,17 3:16 Lu 6:14 Joh 1:40-42 Ac 1:13 1Pe 1:1 2Pe 1:1 Andrew: Mk 1:29 3:18 13:3 Joh 6:8 12:22 James: Mt 4:21 17:1 20:20 26:37 Mk 3:17 Lu 5:10 Joh 21:2 Ac 12:2 1Co 15:7 John: Lu 22:8 Joh 13:23 20:2 21:20,24 Ac 3:1 1Jn 1:3,4 2Jn 1:1 3Jn 1:1 Rev 1:1,9 22:8 THE TWELVE APOSTLES Now the names (onoma) of the twelve apostles (apostolos) are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother - These 4 are those present at the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13:3). It is notable that this is the only place Matthew calls these men apostles., similar to Mark (Mk 6:30), but in contrast to Luke's repeated mention of them as apostles (Lk. 6:13; Lk. 9:10; Lk. 11:49; Lk. 17:5; Lk. 22:14; Lk. 24:10). Note that in Luke 6:13+ "when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles." Apostles (652)(apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) means one sent forth from by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. It can be a delegate, commissioner, ambassador sent out on a mission or orders or commission and with the authority of the one who sent him. What is an apostle? What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? John Broadus - Matthew has not mentioned the selection of the Twelve, which took place before this. (Mark 3:13; Luke 6:13, comp. on Mt 5:1.) At the time when he wrote, the twelve apostles were well known, and he speaks of them accordingly: ‘his twelve disciples,’ ‘the twelve apostles.’ The number twelve was probably chosen with reference to the number of tribes (see on 19:28). Adam Clarke makes an interesting point that "“It is worthy of notice, that those who were Christ’s apostles were first his disciples; to intimate, that men must be first taught of God, before they be sent of God.” The 12 were the foundation which were in turn on Jesus the Cornerstone, and were the men on which He would build his kingdom during the Church Age (Eph 2:20+). The 12 (minus Judas Iscariot) would have a future position of prominence in the coming Messianic Kingdom. In Mt 19:28 "Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." And even after the 1000 year Kingdom, the role of the apostles would be honored throughout eternity John recording "And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Rev 21:14+).
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MacArthur - The implication is that truly receptive listeners were to be ministered to in the fullest way. Their open hearts to the Lord's work earned them God's richest blessing. "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet," Jesus explained a short while later, "shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" Matt. 10:41. (SEE Matthew 8-15 MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Page 195) BSB - Those who genuinely welcome the gospel message of the Twelve are accorded special peace, while "unworthy" households forfeit the peace which accompanies the gospel. What the Bible Teaches - A "worthy" house was a receptive house, suitable as a base for evangelistic endeavour. Additionally the peace of mind and heart that characterised the apostles was to promote a spiritual atmosphere in the house, for their attitude was gentle, patient and loving, as distinct from harsh, sharp and critical. Paul always greeted his readers with grace and peace—not the peace that the world formally offered, but the peace of Christ Himself (John 14:27). But if, upon further investigation, the house proved not to be worthy, then nothing was to be left in it since nothing had been received from it. The servants were to leave unruffled; they would depart in peace as they had arrived in peace, in keeping with 2 Tim 2:24, "the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient". (What the Bible teaches – Matthew and Mark) We cannot judge of worthiness; but the Lord will do so. We are to hope well of all. Spurgeon Commentary - Think well of all till they prove by their conduct that your good opinion is an error. Bless the house, and if it be worthy, the Lord will make your blessing effectual, and peace shall dwell there; but if the house be not worthy, the blessing shall, by your Lord’s ordinance, “return to you”, and that will enable you to bear the rebuff without being discouraged. We cannot judge of worthiness; but the Lord will do so. We are to hope well of all. We shall get good even if we fail to do good. If the failure be through no fault of ours, it will be no failure to us. Matthew 10:14 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. whoever: Mt 10:40,41 Mt 18:5 Mk 6:11 Mk 9:37 Lu 9:5,48 Lk 10:10,11 Joh 13:20 1Th 4:8 shake: Ne 5:13 Ac 13:51 18:6 20:26,27 Related Passage: Matthew 18:5 “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; Mark 6:11+ “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” Mark 9:37+ “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Luke 9:5; 48+ “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (9:48) and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 10:10; 11+ “But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, (10:11) ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ Acts 13:51+ But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. LEAVE SOME DUST AS A SIGN OF REJECTION Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words - Receive is the verb dechomai which means something akin to putting out the welcome mat for someone. Here the Jewish hearers are in effect pulling out the "welcome mat" from beneath the feet of the evangelists, feet which have been shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" (Eph 6:15+)! The idea inherent in heed is not just to hear to so as to respond or obey. In this case the good news of the traveling evangelists in effect goes "in one ear and out the other!", a modern idiom that means what was heard was immediately dismissed, ignored or forgotten after being heard. John records of Jesus that "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." (Jn 1:11+) Like Master, like students! As you go out of that house or that city, shake (aorist imperative) the dust off your feet. - It is like saying "You have had an opportunity to hear the Gospel of salvation, but you have rejected it and you will receive a just retribution for your rejection." It was common for Jews to shake the dust violently off their feet—as an expression of disdain, a violent gesture of disfavour—when returning from Gentile regions. Paul and Barnabas also did this when expelled from Antioch (Acts 13:51+). This was a visible protest, signifying that they regarded the place as no better than a pagan land. The Jews had violent prejudices against the smallest particles of Gentile dust, not as a purveyor of disease of which they did not know, but because it was regarded as the putrescence of death. If the apostles were mistreated by a host or hostess, they were to be treated as if they were Gentiles Mt 18:17; Ac 18:6 Henry
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MacArthur comments on shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them - "When they came back into Israel from a Gentile country, many Jews would literally shake as much dust off their feet as possible in order not to bring pagan soil into their homeland. For the apostles to shake the dust off their feet while leaving a Jewish house or town would be to treat the inhabitants like Gentiles—whom most Jews considered to be out of God's reach. When the leaders of the synagogue in Pisidia of Antioch drove Paul and Barnabas out of their district, the two men "shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium." (Acts 13:51+). Of the unbelieving Jews there Paul had declared, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles." (Mt 10:46; cf. Mt. 7:6). It is not that we are to turn away from those who reject the gospel at first hearing or even after several hearings. Had that practice been followed, many believers would not be in the kingdom today. Through Paul, the Lord Himself entreated unbelieving Corinthians to "be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:20). Were God not marvelously patient and long-suffering with fallen mankind, He would have destroyed the world long ago. He is infinitely patient with sinners, Peter tells us, "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus was not speaking of those who are slow to understand or believe but of those who, after hearing a clear testimony of the gospel and seeing dramatic and irrefutable signs of confirmation, continue to resist and oppose it. When a person's mind is firmly set against God, we should turn our efforts to others. (SEE Matthew Commentary) How little of this is done by the smooth-tongued preachers of today! Men may refuse their gospel, and still be the bosom friends of those who preach to them. Spurgeon Commentary - Disclaim all fellowship with those who will not have fellowship with your Lord. Be not angry; do not denounce with bitterness; just “shake off the dust of your feet, ” and go elsewhere. Don’t depart to rail at the people in private; but let them know that you quit them because they refuse your message. Do this openly, and in the most solemn and instructive manner, hoping that your departing act may be remembered. It is to be feared that we treat rejectors of Christ in a sadly biding manner, and do not hold up their rejection of our King to the detestation it deserves. We ought to let impenitent sinners know that we consider them out of our fellowship. If they will not hear, we must make them see that we disown them, and count them to be unclean, because they refuse Christ Jesus. How little of this is done by the smooth-tongued preachers of today! Men may refuse their gospel, and still be the bosom friends of those who preach to them. Yea, they try even from the pulpit to cheer them in their impenitence by the dream of a “larger hope.” Question: What does it mean to shake the dust off your feet? Answer: The command to “shake the dust off your feet” appears only four times in the New Testament. In each case the command is spoken by Jesus to His disciples when He sent them out two by two (Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5). In Mark 6:11 Jesus says, “And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” In the Matthew 10 account, Jesus clarifies His meaning: “Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (verse 15). Shaking the dust off one’s feet conveys the same idea as our modern phrase “I wash my hands of it.” Shaking the dust off the feet is a symbolic indication that one has done all that can be done in a situation and therefore carries no further responsibility for it. In the scriptural examples, Jesus was telling His disciples that they were to preach the gospel to everyone. Where they were received with joy, they should stay and teach. But where their message was rejected, they had no further responsibility. They were free to walk away with a clear conscience, knowing they had done all they could do. Shaking the dust off their feet was, in effect, saying that those who rejected God’s truth would not be allowed to hinder the furtherance of the gospel. Even the dust of those cities that rejected the Lord was an abomination and would not be allowed to cling to the feet of God’s messengers. Embedded within this symbolic gesture was the implication that God also saw the dust-shaking and would judge people accordingly. There was a spiritual significance to a disciple of Jesus shaking the dust off his feet. It was a statement of finality about people who had been given the truth and who had rejected it. On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas put Jesus’ words into practice. They had been preaching in Pisidian Antioch, but some of the Jewish leaders of that city stirred up persecution against the missionaries and had them expelled from the region. “So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium” (Acts 13:51+). Antioch may not have welcomed the gospel as they should have, but that didn’t keep the message from spreading to other areas. Paul and Barnabas had done all they were sent to do, and the responsibility was now on the shoulders of those in Antioch. The apostles had proclaimed truth boldly. Some had accepted it eagerly; some had rejected it with violence. The apostles were not responsible for the Antiochians’ level of acceptance, only for their own obedience to God. There are situations in our lives where God calls us to stand firm, proclaim truth, and give patient testimony. Sometimes we need to continue until we see the results of that testimony. Other times God gives us the freedom to move on. We figuratively “shake the dust off our feet” when, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, we surrender those people to the Lord and emotionally let go. We have the freedom then to move into the next phase of ministry. Jesus’ instruction to “shake the dust off our feet” reminds us that we are only responsible for our obedience to God, not for the results of that obedience.(Source: GotQuestions.org Matthew 10:15 “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. Truly : Mt 5:18 24:34,35 It: Mt 11:22-24 Eze 16:48-56 Mk 6:11 Lu 10:11-12 Joh 15:22-24 in the: Mt 12:36 2Pe 2:9 3:7 1Jn 4:17 Related Passages: Matthew 11:22-24+ “Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.” Luke 10:12-16+ “I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. 13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 “But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. 15 “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! 16 “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me. PRINCIPLE OF DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT Truly (amen) - Jesus gives His "amen" at the beginning of this judgment. It is true! it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city (See also Mt 10:15, 11:20-24, 12:41,42 Jn 19:11, Lu 10:12-16, 11:31,32, 12:47,48, 20:45,46,47, Mk 12:38,39,40, Heb 10:29) - Jesus is clearly teaching that there will be degrees of punishment in Gehenna (Lake of fire, Hell, but not "hades") even as He teaches there are greater rewards in heaven (Rev 22:12). In other words Hell will be more horrible and "hotter" (in some way) for some than others! Sodom and Gomorrah were indescribably wicked (Jude 1:7) and yet less overtly evil cities of Israel would be more culpable because they rejected greater light of the Gospel presented by the Savior Himself! The principle is rejection of greater spiritual light results in greater eternal punishment! The writer of Hebrews rightly says "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb 10:31+) 🙏 THOUGHT - This is one reason I have stopped sharing the Gospel with some folks who are not only non-receptive, but sometimes hostile. They know what I believe and if the Spirit urges them, they know they can ask me. Otherwise I have dusted off my shoes so that their hell will not be even more horrible because of their repeated rejection of the Gospel light. Gilbrant- The fate of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-19:29) was proverbial in the Old Testament (Isaiah 1:9ff.). Sodom and Gomorrah represent evil (cf. Matthew 11:22-24; Luke 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7), and they will have no hope on judgment day. Judgment day is that "day" of the end time on which the world will be judged (cf. Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11-15+). (Complete Biblical Library Commentary – Matthew) With what solemnity do these threatenings surround both the preaching and the hearing of the kingdom! Spurgeon Commentary - The accursed cities of the plain (Sodom and Gomorrah) may look for a fearful doom; but their portion will not be so unbearable as that of those to whom the gospel comes in freest fashion; and yet they will not receive its messengers, nor even hear their words. With what solemnity do these threatenings surround both the preaching and the hearing of the kingdom! Our Lord seals his terrible prophecy with a Verily and with that solemn introduction, “I say unto you. ” Here our ever-blessed King sends forth his royal ambassadors under orders to summon the Jewish nation to own their sovereign Lord; and he supports them in their errand by a tremendous threat of doom to those who will not receive them, or listen to their words. Related Resource: What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? | GotQuestions.org Conflicts At Christmas I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. . . . They will deliver you up to councils and scourge you. —Matthew 10:16-17 Today's Scripture: Matthew 10:16-34 Christmas—that time of year when the courtrooms are once again filled with the not-so-merry sounds of lawyers arguing about whether nativity scenes violate someone’s civil rights or whether Christmas carols can be sung at a school concert. If we aren’t careful, all the litigation that seems to accompany Christmas each year could take a bit of the enjoyment out of this most celebrated of seasons. But if we understand that Jesus Himself told us His coming would not always lead to peace and good times, we will find it easier to understand the conflicts this season brings. While giving His disciples their marching orders one day, Jesus told them to watch out for trouble. He said they would be hated and persecuted, and they would experience family conflicts (Mt. 10:21-23). In fact, He told His followers, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (v.34). At Christmastime we celebrate The coming of the Prince of Peace; Though now our world is locked in strife, One day He'll make all conflict cease. —Sper Christ promises peace for a world of conflict. Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. as sheep: Lu 10:3 Ac 20:29 wise: Ge 3:1,13 Lu 21:15 Ro 16:19 1Co 14:20 2Co 11:3,14 Eph 5:15-17 Col 1:9 4:5 harmless: or, simple, Ro 16:18,19 2Co 1:12 8:20 11:3 Php 2:15 1Th 2:10 5:22 Related Passage: Romans 16:19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. EVANGELISM IS NOT A PICNIC! Behold (2400)(idou) is the second person singular aorist middle imperative of eidon which means to see, perceive, look at. In the NT idou is used as a demonstrative particle that draws attention to what follows. Idou in the middle voice means "you yourself look, see, perceive!" The aorist imperative is a command emphasizing "Do it now! Don't delay!"
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MacArthur - The basic idea is that of saying the right thing at the right time and place, of having a sense of propriety and appropriateness, and of trying to discover the best means to achieve the highest goal (cf 1 Cor. 9:19-22+). It is neither wise nor loving to be needlessly accusatory or inflammatory. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Matthew)
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MacArthur - Those who suffer for Christ will be defended by Christ. Many of the most memorable and powerful testimonies of the great martyrs were uttered just before they were put to death. God gave them a special presence of mind and clarity of thought to present a testimony more powerful than they would otherwise have been able to give. (See Matthew Commentary) R C H
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MacArthur - The negative side of Jesus' warning is sobering: But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. This warning applies to a person who makes an outward profession of Christianity but turns away when hard testing comes. It is possible to deny Christ before men by silence, by failing to witness for Him and trying to be an unnoticed Christian—whose friends and neighbors, and perhaps even family, would never suspect of being a believer. It is also possible to deny Christ by actions, living like the rest of the world lives, with no higher standards or values. It is possible to deny Christ by words, using the world's profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy. It is possible to deny Christ in many ways that are short of verbally and publicly renouncing Him. The future tenses in verses 32-33 tell us that Jesus is speaking of future judgment. In that day, those who confess Him, He will also confess, and those who deny Him, He will also deny. The difference between true and false discipleship is a much-repeated theme in Matthew. Near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (5:20). Later during the sermon He distinguished between false disciples, who go in the wide gate and travel the broad way, and true disciples, who enter by the narrow gate and walk in the narrow way (7:13-14). He spoke of those who bear good fruit and those who bear bad fruit (7:16-20) and then said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'" (vv. 21-23). Immediately after that He distinguished between the person who builds his religious house on the sand of man's wisdom and is destroyed and the person who builds on the rock of His Word and is saved (vv. 24-27). (See Matthew Commentary - Page 228) MacArthur asks "What does it mean to confess and be confessed, to deny and be denied? This is the basic message that needs to be preached in every place where Jesus Christ is named, this is a message that calls for so called Christians to self‑examination. It is a message that says look at yourself...are you confessing or...are you denying? For your eternal destiny depends on that." (The Hallmarks of Discipleship) Leon
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MacArthur adds that set against "denoted complete and often permanent separation. Sometimes the rift between believers and unbelieving relatives is lifelong and irreconcilable. Yet a true disciple must be willing to pay that price. The gospels report at least two would-be disciples who did not accept Jesus' call to follow Him because they were unwilling to sacrifice their family ties. One wanted to wait for his inheritance before following the Lord, and the other wanted to delay obedience until he had settled everything with his family. Of such half-hearted, divided commitment Jesus said, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" Luke 9:57-62. (See Matthew Commentary - Page 231)
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MacArthur - The Romans crucified their victims in public, along highways, as a gruesome reminder of what happened to those who defied Caesar’s imperial authority. Estimates suggest that as many as thirty thousand Jews were crucified during Jesus’ lifetime. Thus, when the Lord used a cross to explain the cost of discipleship, His audience knew precisely what He meant. Jesus’ point was that those who desired to be His disciples, rather than seeking prosperity and ease, must be willing to endure persecution, rejection, hardship, and even martyrdom for His sake. To follow Christ was to embark on a path of adversity and maltreatment. (cf Jn 15:18-21, Mt 10:24-25)....Those who initially profess Christ, but are unwilling to suffer for His sake, expose the fact that they are not truly His disciples. As the Lord Himself explained in the parable of the soils, “These are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away” (Mark 4:16-17+). Conversely, those who endure trials and hardship for the honor of Christ prove the genuineness of their faith (1 Peter 1:6-7+). (See Mark Commentary) John Stott: The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half-built towers—the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. For thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so. The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so-called “nominal Christianity.” In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a decent, but thin, veneer of Christianity. They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved; enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable. Their religion is a great, soft cushion. It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place and shape to suit their convenience. No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism. (See Basic Christianity or borrow Basic Christianity) Bruce Barton - Death on a cross was a form of execution used by Rome for dangerous criminals. A prisoner carried his own cross to the place of execution, signifying submission to Rome’s power. Following Jesus, therefore, meant identifying with Jesus and his followers, facing social and political oppression and ostracism, and no turning back. Christians follow their Lord by imitating his life and obeying his commands. To take up the cross meant to carry your own cross to the place where you would be killed. Many Galileans had been killed that way by the Romans. Applied to the disciples, to take up the cross meant to identify completely with Christ’s message, even if death were to result. We must deny our selfish desires to use our time and money our own way and to choose our own direction in life without regard to Christ. Following Christ is costly now, but we are promised true victory and eternal rewards. (See Life Application Bible Commentary) Adrian Rogers - Somebody asked Tozer, "What does it mean to take up your cross?" and Tozer told a story of an old man, and here's what he said. "One time, a young man came to an old saint who taught the deeper life, the crucified life, and said, 'Father, what does it mean to be crucified?' The old man thought for a moment and said, 'Well, to be crucified means three things.'" Now, listen to this, folks. Here's what it means to take up a cross. "First, the man who is crucified is facing only one direction." That's good. When you're crucified, you're only facing one direction. "The old man scratched his scraggily head and said, 'One thing more, son, about the man on the cross. He is not going back. He has said his final goodbyes. Thirdly, he said, the man on the cross has no further plans of his own.'" Did you get that? He's facing one direction. He's not going back. He said goodbye. And he has no further plans of his own. There is a cross for each one which he may regard as “his cross. ” Spurgeon Commentary Here our Lord for the second time in this gospel brings in his death. At first he spoke of being taken from them; but now of the cross. There is a cross for each one which he may regard as “his cross. ” It may be that the cross will not take us up, but we must take it up, by being willing to endure anything or everything for Christ’s sake. We are not to drag the cross after us, but to take it up. “Dragged crosses are heavy; carried crosses grow light.” Bearing the cross, we are to follow after Jesus: to bear a cross without following Christ is a poor affair. A Christian who shuns the cross is no Christian; but a crossbearer who does not follow Jesus equally misses the mark. Is it not singular that nothing is so essential to make a man worthy of Christ as cross-bearing in his track? Yet it is assuredly so. Lord, thou hast laid a cross upon me, do not permit me to shirk it, or shrink from it. QUESTION - What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me (click for video also)” ANSWER - In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Let’s begin with what Jesus didn’t mean in this verse. Many people interpret the “cross” to be taken up as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, etc. With self-pitying pride, they look at their difficulty and say, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” Such an idea is not what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” When a person carried a cross in Jesus’ day, no one thought of it as a persistent annoyance or symbolic burden. To a person in the first century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by crucifixion. To carry a cross was to face the most painful and humiliating means of death human beings could develop. Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day the cross represented a torturous death. The Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion (see John 19:17). Bearing a cross meant one was about to die, and that one would face ridicule and disgrace along the way. Therefore, Jesus’ command to “take up your cross and follow Me” is a call to self-abasement and self-sacrifice. One must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus. Dying to self is an absolute surrender to God. After Jesus commanded cross-bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:25–26). Although the call to take up our cross is tough, the reward is matchless. Nothing in this world is worth passing up eternal life. Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Their view of who the Messiah really was—and what He would do—was often distorted. They thought the Christ would immediately usher in the restored kingdom (Luke 19:11). They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Some hoped He would continue to provide free lunches for everyone (John 6:26). Jesus’ statement that following Him requires taking up a cross made people think twice about their motivations and level of commitment. In Luke 9:57–62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus pressed them, however, their commitment was shown to be half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None were willing to take up their cross and crucify upon it their own interests. Jesus’ apparent attempts to dissuade people from following Him surely limited the number of false converts and insincere disciples (see John 6:66). But God seeks “true worshipers [who] will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Jesus’ call to “take up your cross and follow Me” serves to screen out the disingenuous, double-minded, and dissembling. Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Consider these questions: – Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your closest friends? – Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? – Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation? – Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? – Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? In some places of the world, these consequences are a reality. But notice the phrasing of the questions: “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but the disciple of Christ must be willing to suffer loss. Are you willing to take up your cross? If faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose? Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, and even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Remember that, as Jesus called His disciples to “take up your cross and follow Me,” He, too, bore a cross. Our Lord led the way. A W Tozer - his cross…is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38 Many of the great evangelists who have touched the world for God, including such men as Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finney, have declared that the church is being betrayed by those who insist on Christianity being made “too easy.” Jesus laid down the terms of Christian discipleship, and there are some among us who criticize: “Those words of Jesus sound harsh and cruel.” This is where we stand: Receiving Jesus Christ into your life means that you have made an attachment to the Person of Christ that is revolutionary, in that it reverses the life and transforms it completely! It is complete in that it leaves no part of the life unaffected. It exempts no area of the life of the total man. By faith and through grace, you have now formed an exclusive relationship with your Savior, Jesus Christ. All of your other relationships are now conditioned and determined by your one relationship to your Savior. To receive Jesus Christ, then, is to attach ourselves in faith to His holy person, to live or die, forever! He must be first and last and all! Losing To Gain He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. —2 Corinthians 9:6 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 On my father’s farm were certain fields he sowed by hand. He would strap on a canvas contraption that looked somewhat like a kangaroo pouch, fill it with seed, and go out to sow. He would cast seed everywhere. When a farmer sows seed in his field, it looks like he’s throwing it away. It seems to be lost, but it isn’t really gone. In due time he gets it back—with much more besides. When we give ourselves to Christ, it may seem to people as if we’re throwing our life away. But He said that it is only as we lose our lives in Him that we find true life (Matthew 10:39). Jesus teaches us to measure our lives by losses rather than gains, by sacrifices rather than self-preservation, by time spent for others rather than time lavished upon ourselves, by love poured out rather than love poured in. It’s a rule of life: God blesses those who give of their lives and resources (2 Corinthians 9:6). Give out the truth you know, and He’ll give you more to give away. Give your time, and you’ll have more time to give. Set no limit on your love, and you’ll have more love for others than before. We lose what on ourselves we spend; We have as treasure without end Whatever, Lord, to You we lend, Who givest all. —Wordsworth When you grasp, you lose; when you give to God, you gain. Henry Blackaby - The experience : a devotional and journal : day by day with God The Cross “And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38 When you see a cross, what image does it bring to mind? Christians often wear crosses as jewelry or on the bumper of their car as a sign of loyalty to Christ. For you it’s probably a welcome sight because it stands for your resurrected Lord. It’s a victory symbol. When Jesus referred to a cross, his disciples likely had a different mental picture. No one had to tell them what a cross meant; they’d seen plenty of crosses. In their day, the cross was a torture device. Condemned criminals had to carry their own crosses to their place of execution. It was a grim sight. To the condemned person, the cross was the ultimate humiliation. It meant his life was no longer his own. Any future plans were now irrelevant because the cross he carried would soon end his life. Today the cross is both a victory symbol and a sign of what Christ requires of us. When he says to take up our cross, he means we are to turn our lives completely over to him. Our own plans are no longer important; it’s what Jesus has planned for us that matters. If we are unwilling to go where he wants us to go and to do what he asks us to do, Jesus says we’re not worthy to be his followers. If you have your future all figured out, you need to check with Jesus. Ask him what his plans are, and begin following him today. Trust that his way is the best way. There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon When the will of God crosses the will of man, somebody has to die. Vance Havner -- What our Lord said about cross-bearing and obedience is not in fine type. It is in bold print on the face of the contract. Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ: What hindereth thee more than thine affections not fully mortified to the will of God? F B
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MacArthur - The Lord is not isolating martyrdom, because no human sacrifice can merit salvation. But the willingness to forsake everything, including physical life if necessary, for the sake of Christ indicates the spirit of true discipleship, and therefore the spirit of a person who is destined for heaven and eternal life in God's presence. When John Bunyan was brought before the magistrate to be sentenced to prison, he said, "Sir, the law of Christ hath provided two ways of obeying: the one to do that which I in my conscience do believe I am bound to do actively; and where I cannot obey it actively, there I am willing to lie down and suffer what they shall do unto me." (See Matthew Commentary) John MacArthur - Christ lives in His people (ED: Col 1:27, Col 3:4, Gal 2:20, John 14:23). They also come in His name as His ambassadors (2Co 5:20). Therefore, how they are treated is how He is treated (cf. Mt 18:5; 25:45; Lk 9:48). (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible) This paradoxical principle was emphasized by the Lord Jesus more often than any other. Henry
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MacArthur - In an incomprehensible sharing of blessing, God showers His rewards on every person who receives His people because they are His people. (See Matthew Commentary - Page 235) Matthew 10:42“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” BGT Matthew 10:42 καὶ ὃς ἂν ποτίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων ποτήριον ψυχροῦ μόνον εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ. KJV Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. NET Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward." CSB Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple-- I assure you: He will never lose his reward!" ESV Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." NIV Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." NLT Matthew 10:42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." NRS Matthew 10:42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." YLT Matthew 10:42 and whoever may give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say to you, he may not lose his reward.' GWN Matthew 10:42 I can guarantee this truth: Whoever gives any of my humble followers a cup of cold water because that person is my disciple will certainly never lose his reward." NKJ Matthew 10:42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." NAB Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple-- amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." MIT Matthew 10:42 Whoever provides only a container of cold water to one of the lowliest disciples, I assure you will certainly not lose his reward. NJB Matthew 10:42 'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without his reward.' one: Mt 8:5,6 18:3-6,10,14 25:40 Zec 13:7 Mk 9:42 Lu 17:2 1Co 8:10-13 a cup: Mk 9:41 12:42,43 14:7,8 2Co 8:12 he shall: Pr 24:14 Lu 6:35 2Co 9:6-15 Php 4:15-19 Heb 6:10 Related Passages: Luke 6:35+ “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15+ Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! REWARD FOR THE SMALLEST ACT And whoever in the name (onoma) of a disciple (mathetes) gives to one of these little ones even a cup (poterion) of cold water to drink, truly (amen) I say to you, he shall not lose (apollumi) his reward (misthos).” - GWT paraphrases it " Whoever gives any of my humble followers a cup of cold water because that person is my disciple will certainly never lose his reward." The Expositor's Bible Commentary - To give a cup of cold freshly drawn water, the least courtesy demands, to the least disciple just because he is a disciple does not go unrewarded. (See Matthew or Abridged Edition - Page 209) POSB - Christ declares that the smallest ministry will not lose its reward. A person will be rewarded for the smallest ministry done for God's messenger. Just giving a cup of water to a messenger is extremely significant to God. It causes God to say emphatically that a person will be rewarded for such an act. The person needs to know that he is ministering to someone who is very, very dear to God. Christ calls His messengers "little ones," which is a term of endearment. (Borrow The Preacher's outline & sermon Bible : New Testament, King James Version) William