Lesson 10 (Chapter 10)
Talmidim Sent with the Kingdom Offer
“Also I heard the voice of HaShem, saying: ‘Whom shall I send [shalach], and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send [shalach] me.’ And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people: “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.”
Isaiah 6:8-9
Introduction
- For the past few weeks, we have been seeing looking at the miracles of Yeshua and how they related to His mission. We have seen that they were tied to His mission, and His message.
- We saw that His miracles also served in some measure as signs – pointing to His “Messiahship” – so much that He told some not to tell anyone Who He was (????).
- Chapter 10 is the second of five “sermons” of Yeshua in Matthew. This is commonly called the “Apostolic Discourse”. This is where Yeshua sends out His talmidim on a very important mission. A mission to present the “Kingdom Offer” to the cities around Galilee. We have seen this “Kingdom offer” before. It is the Kingdom message, the “Gospel” – “Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is at Hand!”
Twelve Disciples Sent = Twelve Apostles
- Matt 10:1 is connected to Matt 9:37-38.
- Matt 10:1-4: apostolos = messengers, those sent for a specific purpose. The Hebrew is sh’lichim.
- “Apostle” is not an ecclesiastical office – it is the description of people who were sent out as messengers – and witnesses.
- They were sent by Yeshua with specific endowments, or powers – to cast out demons, and the heal the sick.
Mission Orders
- 10:5: Don’t go to Gentile areas, or Samaritan cities.
- 10:6: Go only “the lost sheep of Israel.”
- 10:7: As you go, preach: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
- 10:8: Heal, cleanse, raise, cast out.
- 10:9-10: Take no provisions – depend upon hospitality (this is the hospitality test re: Abraham, Lot, Sodom).
- 10:11-15; 41-42: If received, and offer accepted, put your shalom on it – if not keep shalom, and shake off the dust.
Kingdom Message – Kingdom Offer
- 10:7: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
- “Repent”. The Gospel message that they were sent with is the same as John (3:2); and Yeshua (4:17, 4:23, 9:35); and was the same message they would be sent out later with in 28:18-20 (24:14).
- The way had been prepared by John the Baptizer, with the call to “repent” ( “return” re: Mal 3:1-9). King Messiah was here – it was time to decide, would they return the throne of David to G-d – or would they continue to reject G-d’s ways and His authority?
- If the “offer” was accepted by individuals, shalom would be upon them.
- 10:11-15; 41-42: The “hospitality test.”
What They Were to Expect
- 10:9-13; 40-42: Some would receive the message, and receive them.
- 10:17-26: There will be persecution – from all directions. Hated by all. Called “of the house of Beelzebub”.
- 10:34-36: Even family will oppose – He brings the sword.
- 10:19-20: The Spirit of your Father will speak
- 10:28-32: Take heart. Your Father sees and knows.
Being a Talmid of Yeshua
- 4 Tasks of a talmid [disciple]:
- Memorize the teacher’s words. To be a tanna [repeater].
- Learn the teacher’s traditions and interpretations of Scripture.
- Learn to imitate the teacher. It was important for a talmid to perfectly reflect his master in speech, action, and mannerism.
- When fully trained, to raise up talmidim also (Luke 6:40). The model is father and son. The “V’ahavta” : “…You shall teach them diligently to your children…” to pass Torah onto the next generation.
- 10:24: Yeshua's talmidim are not above their Master.
- 10:37: The loyalty test: Your Master is now the closest of family – loyalty to Him is most needed.
- 10:38-39: If you are the Master’s talmid you must:
- Take up your cross
- Follow after Him
- Lose your life [psuche] for Him
Summary
- Some have taken the events surrounding the “Kingdom offer” and made them say something they do not. They have used it as a polemic against the people of Israel – a way to promote a dangerous heresy called “Replacement Theology.”
- This “Kingdom offer” is an important step in the process of redeeming mankind – but in ways that may not yet be readily apparent. We will see this again as we move through Matthew.
- We must always remember the Master’s own words,
“A talmid is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” Matthew 10:24