Principles for Sharing the Good News
Matthew 10:5-15
As Jesus’ ministry increased His humanity began to show more and more. He was at this point a “one-man-show.” The territory to cover was too great for the Son of God who was subject to the limitations of being human. He could only be at one place at a time. Furthermore, as word spread about His compassion and power in healing, the mass of crowds continued to swell. He saw this as a great harvest, but a bumper crop requires more workers. These workers need to be disciples which would need to have specific things in order to share the good news. Some of the specifics Jesus taught in Matthew 10 applied only to the apostles, yet in principle they apply to His witnesses in every generation.
Authority to Preach the Gospel, 10:5a
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them…
Jesus has the authority to command the Twelve as He sends them out. The Greek parangello used for “commanded” is a military term which demands obedience to a higher authority. The word was also equivalent to a subpoena in legal settings. Jesus would use the word to command unclean spirits.
For companionship and help with trials and temptations He sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7).
Audience Needing the Gospel, 10:5b-6
Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
The apostles were only to preach to Jewish people. But why? First, Jesus “was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). Jerusalem and Judea were to be the starting points for the spreading of the Gospel and Kingdom. No one can do everything at once. They had to start somewhere. And the message was tailored to a Jewish audience. Jesus did have contact with several Samaritans and Gentiles during His ministry (Matt. 8:4-13; John 4). The Gospel has the power to save “everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Today, the Gospel is to be taken to all nations.
Apprehensible Message, 10:7
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
The Jews would welcome the good news that the long-awaited Kingdom was “at hand”, that is, soon to be set up. However, it was not to be a geographical area with a local king of the Jews. It clarified that the Kingdom had not yet come but was yet in the near future.
Affirming Credentials, 10:8a
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.
Many professions such as doctors and lawyers display diplomas to certify their qualifications and authority to practice. The Twelve were not theologians like the scribes or the priests. Their credentials would be the miracles they performed. Today, our affirming credentials are not miracles but the New Testament. Miracles were used in the apostolic age until the perfect or complete revelation of God’s Will (1 Cor. 13:8-13).
Announce Freely, 10:8b
You received without paying; give without pay.
What did Jesus mean when He commanded them, “freely you have received, freely give” (10:8b). Perhaps, they were not to charge anyone for the miracles they were to perform. Not like men who performed before a crowd for money like Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8. Miracles were not for their personal gain or prosperity. It would also imply they were not to charge for the Gospel message like the wandering and nomadic-like philosophers among the Gentiles. The Good News is offered without charging. This would help deal with the temptation of greed. Even elders in the church would be warned to serve “not for sordid gain” (1 Peter 5:2). Greediness would eventually claim the heart of Judas
Acquire Necessities, 10:9-10
Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
The restrictions given them did not mean they were not to provide for their daily needs while on this limited and short mission. Jesus wanted them to keep their preparation time and baggage to a limit. They did not need to spend months raising funds. They should expect that those who were fed the Good News would feed them in return “for a worker is worthy of his food.” They left on their mission with no money in their belts, a sack lunch, barefooted, without staff, and carrying only one coat (cf. Luke 22:35-36). Although they did not demand payment, it is clearly implied they were not to refuse food and lodging.
Does this command to the Twelve apply to preacher’s today. First, preachers are not apostles. Furthermore, this was a commission which was limited in scope and duration. Also, they were not locally situated in their work for extended periods of time. Elders who labor are worthy of “double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17-18). Preachers are to be given wages like Paul had received. This was based on the concept of not muzzling and ox while it was working. Paul said that the “Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14).
Association With the Reputable, 10:11
And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
There were very few places to stay in first century Palestine. The disciples were to stay with only those in town who had a reputation of being “worthy.” Who they stayed with would reflect upon the messenger and his message. So, they needed to avoid ungodly homes with bad reputations.
Neither were they to wander from house to house constantly being on the move. Again this was a method employed by itinerant false teachers. They should find a good place and be content to stay there until they were ready to move on to the next town or village.
Applaud the Receptive, 10:12-13a
As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it…
The greeting is the Hebrew word shalom meaning “peace.” Meaning the total well-being and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
Abandon the Rejecters, 10:13b-15
…but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Jesus goes on to explain how they are to deal with those who are not receptive or “worthy”. First, they were to withdraw favor or blessing (2 John 10-11). Next, they were to shake or dust off their feet as they left the house or city. After visiting a Gentile country Jews of Jesus day would literally do this so that the soil of the pagans would not contaminate the land of God’s people. So, the disciples were in effect treating these homes and cities as if they were Gentile in attitude toward God. In Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas “shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium” (Acts 13:51).
Dusting off one’s feet was nothing compared to the reaction of the Lord. He also is not tolerant of those how reject the Truth. These homes and cities would be worse off receiving greater Divine Judgment than Sodom and Gomorrah.
Anne Graham Lotz wrote, “If God doesn’t judge America, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology.” God did judge Sodom and will judge the whole world. Just as certain He will judge all the cities who reject the Good News. However, they did have a chance to hear it.
– Daniel R. Vess