BaptistWay Bible Series for Jan. 9: Jesus chooses his disciples_11005

Posted: 1/03/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Jan. 9

Jesus chooses his disciples

Matthew 9:35-10:15

By Todd Still

Truett Seminary, Waco

Throughout the bulk of his Gospel, Matthew alternates between narration about Jesus (chapters 3-4, 8-9, 11-12, 14-17, 19-22) and instruction from Jesus (chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 23-25). In this series of lessons, we are focusing upon the latter. Having devoted five sessions to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), we will now spend two weeks studying Jesus' “Missionary Discourse” as recorded in chapter 10 of the first Gospel. This particular lesson covers 9:35-10:15.

Before examining Jesus' instruction to his 12 disciples whom he is sending out on mission (10:5-42), we need to consider the two sections immediately preceding–9:35-38 and 10:1-4. Verses 35-38 offer a summary of Jesus' ministry activity and serve as a suitable transition to his teaching that follows in chapter 10.

In verse 35, Matthew informs that Jesus circulated throughout Galilean towns and villages teaching, preaching and healing. This verse, along with the strikingly similar 4:23, frames chapters 5-9. Thereafter, in verse 36, Matthew reports that Jesus felt compassion for the crowds with whom he came into contact. This is a common reaction of Jesus throughout the Gospel (14:14; 15:32; 20:34).

To explain why Jesus responded to the crowds with compassion, Matthew employs a biblical figure of speech–sheep without a shepherd (Numbers 27:16-17; 1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:1-10; Zechariah 11:15). That there would be shepherd-less sheep among the people of Israel signals a failure on the part of the nation's spiritual leaders. It was into this perceived void of spiritual leadership that Jesus was stepping. Unlike so many of his religious contemporaries, Jesus would be a good and skillful shepherd. Indeed, he would even surrender his very life for his sheep (John 10:11).

Jesus was not desirous, however, of leading and laboring among the sheep alone. Recognizing the spiritual landscape was ripe unto harvest (a scriptural metaphor for both judgment and reward) and acknowledging the magnitude of the task was greater than the present workforce, Jesus urges his disciples to implore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (v. 38). Jesus' summoning of the 12 disciples for service provides at least a partial answer to such prayer (10:1).

When we ask God to send people to take the gospel to the harassed and helpless, we should be willing all the while to say to the Lord with Isaiah of old, “Here am I; send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Before Jesus sends out the 12 on mission, he equips them spiritually by giving to them his authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases (v. 1). Matthew concludes his Gospel with Jesus' authoritative commission to the 11 (the 12 minus Judas) to make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing and teaching (28:18-20). Those who would minister in Jesus' name should seek divine empowerment to help people come to wholeness in Christ. Although created in the image of God, we are broken people who need to be reconciled to and renewed by God.

Regarding the listing of the 12 disciples found in verses 2-4, at least two points merit mention here. First, the number of disciples mirrors the number of Israelite tribes. By intentionally choosing 12 to minister with him and in his name, Jesus seems to be suggesting that in and through his person and mission, there will be both a restoration and reconfiguration of Israel.

Second, it is interesting to note in the stylized naming of the 12 in verses 2-4 that Peter, the group's leader, is mentioned first (16:16-20) and is immediately followed by Andrew, James and John (4:18-22), whereas Judas, the one who would betray Jesus (17:22; 26:14-16, 47-56), is not inappropriately placed last.

Jesus commences his instructions to the 12 by directing them to expend their missional efforts entirely upon “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 6). Given that the vast majority of contemporary Christians are “Gentiles” and “Samaritans,” Jesus' marching orders to his disciples now seem out of step. But this was not always the case.

As a Jewish Messiah seeking to bring Israelite people back to God so they might be sent out on God's behalf, it seems both a necessary and prudent strategy that he and his disciples place their initial focus upon the people of Israel. Although Jesus grants his fellow Jews priority in his ministry, he does not categorically prohibit interaction with or inclusion of non-Jews in God's kingdom or in his mission (1:3, 5, 6; 2:1; 3:9; 8:5-13; 15:21-28; 28:19).

Jesus not only tells the 12 where to go (to fellow Israelites), he also tells them what to say. They are to herald the coming kingdom of heaven being wrought, no doubt, by the advent of Jesus, son of David and son of God (v. 7). Moreover, they are to conduct their miracle-laden ministry for free. They did not pay anything for the procurement of such wonder-working powers, nor are they to charge anything for their exercise of such powers (v. 8).

What is more, as the 12 embark on their journey, they are not to carry money or any other items typically deemed necessary for travel (vv. 9-10). Rather, the disciples are to depend upon the hospitality and generosity of those to whom they preach (v. 11). While they should not anticipate that all will respond positively to their message (vv. 12-15), they can entrust themselves to a heavenly Father (6:25-34) who will provide for them both in the here and in the hereafter. An awareness of God's ongoing care was to sustain the disciples in the midst of their mission.

A tenacious trust in God's everlasting goodness also can buoy us to live and to love in these days.

Discussion question

What do you think Jesus was looking for as he chose his disciples?