Matthew 10:1-15

About the Text

(5) Who are "Gentiles"? Non-Jews.

(5) Who are "Samaritans?" Those who were only partially Jewish in race, who lived the region of Samaria, just north of Jerusalem, and south of Galilee. Jews ordinarily did not asacciate with Gentiles or Samaritans.

(6) Why didn't Jesus want the apostles to reach the Gentiles or Samaritans? Because the time had not yet come. The Bible is clear that God wants all kinds of people to become Christians (see 2 Peter 3:9, and 1 Tim. 2:4). But it was God's plan that Jesus be presented to the Jews first (see Romans 1:16), then to Judea and Samaria, and then finally to the rest of the world (Acts 1:8). Jesus wants to reach the world, but only according to his own timing, direction, and plan.
What people has God called you to reach? God called Paul to reach the Gentiles. He called Peter to reach mosfly Jews. Consider your gifts and abilities that God gave to you (see 1 Peter 4:10-11). Consider the people that God has given you the most compassion for (see last weeks message). Consider where you are needed most. Think about these things as you determine whom God is calling you to reach with the love of Christ.

(6) Who are the "lost sheep of Israel?" The "lost sheep of Israel" probably refers to the many "Hellenistic" Jews, the Jews who assimilated themselves to the rest of the world, many of whom lived in the Gentile towns around the Sea of Galilee.

(6) How long was this journey? The entire journey probably took a few weeks, since that is approximately how long it would take several men to cover the Galilee region at that time.

(9) Why did Jesus forbid the apostles to take extra belongings on their journey? He wanted them to learn that God provides for all who do the Lord's work (not only teaching, but also works of kindness). See 1 Cor. 9:3-12, and 1 Tim. 5:17-18. The apostles were also to depend upon the hospitality of those who recognized the value of their work.

(14) Why did Jesus instruct the apostles to "shake the dust off their feet" to unbelievers? It was a symbolic gesture of protest among the Jews. Jesus was instructing the apostles, not for the purpose of being rude or mean, nor for the purpose of giving up on an unbeliever, but for the purpose of comforting them when they are being unjusily ttampled on. When rejected, they were to simply "shake the dust" and move on.

Memory Verses

"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." (Matthew 10:2-4)

"Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:15)

Insights

• When Jesus sends you, He gives a specific target group for you to reach.
• When Jesus sends you, He gives a specific purpose.
• When Jesus sends, He pro vides for the worker's needs.
• When Jesus sends, He knows His workers will be rejected.

The Bottom Line

Do not fear the call of the Lord. Jesus will never forsake you, no matter where He sends you, and no matter how difficult the job.
     God never forsakes us. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to die on a cross, taking away our sins, and earning eternal life for us. If God didn't forsake us when we were still dead in our sins, then He certainly won't forsake us when He calls us to reach the most difficult people for Christ.