Jesus sends and equips
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:16-20
Jesus is sending out his apprentice ambassadors! They have been watching his ways, learning his teaching, and experiencing his love. Now it is time for them to do the same! Remember the prophet Elisha? How he ‘apprenticed’ under Elijah, then took over when God took Elijah up into the sky? He we see the same model again. And just as Elisha was filled with a double portion of Elijah’s (really God’s) spirit, so will the disciples be.
And they’ll need it! Their work will not be easy. In fact it could be life-threatening—but Jesus promises to provide. They are quite literally taking Jesus, his Father and their love out to the lost, confused, and helpless (v40) so they will do that in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As ambassadors of Jesus, these disciples represented him when he wasn’t physically there. Proclaiming his message, executing his judgments, and sharing his love.
In verses 9-15 we see Jesus setting the rules of engagement. Don’t over pack! Do stay wherever you are welcomed. Don’t stay where you are not welcome! Do preach the good news wherever you go. Don’t be surprised when you are arrested! Do rely on God for the right words to say.
Jesus sent out his ambassadors, not because they were necessarily ready (they remained apprentices!), but because HE was ready! He promised to give them everything they needed. As freely as they have received from Jesus, they were to give to those they were sent to. Remember the jug with the love / life of Jesus being poured into their hearts, overflowing to those around them? His joy would be their joy, his love their love, his life their life. In fact, it it could be they would join him in his forthcoming death (10:38-39)
Jesus tells his disciples he will give them WISDOM, WORDS and that they have great WORTH in the eyes of his Father. Not only that, but they carry the WORTH of Jesus Christ himself (10:40 — “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me..”
We’ll look at this in more detail over the coming week. But today, where are you seeking your worth? Is it in your life, ambitions, or convictions? Or is it in Jesus Christ?
Whether we see ourselves as an ambassador, or a lost and helpless sheep, Jesus says “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” (10:39)
