Dig In:
Dig Deeper:
v1-15 - After telling His disciples that "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" at the end of chapter nine, Jesus sends these newly minted and educated (by the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7) disciples out to the harvest.
These disciples are given tremendous power to heal everything and cast out evil.
But their primary message is not "come to Jesus and get healed," rather it is:
The kingdom of heaven has come near (v7)
To those who align themselves with this message, peace will rest on their homes (v13),
but those who reject this message will be treated worse than the worst of sinners (v15).
v16-26 - Many of us who've grown up and lived through the 20th century and into the beginning of the 21st century have experienced a very unique and exceptional time in history when Christianity was not only an acceptable lifestyle, but also preferred and expected by society.
In instructing His disciples, Jesus reminds you in this passage to expect to be hated for aligning yourself with Christ.
As our society deconstructs, we need to become more and more familiar with the advice that Jesus gives here so that we're ready to be "sheep among wolves (v16)."
v27-33 - Jesus stitches together four very familiar sayings to build the confidence of these disciples who by this time were probably pretty nervous about the mission Jesus was sending them on.
v34-42 - Jesus here makes a shocking statement that seems at odds with everything Christianity is supposed to be about. Think about this statement in v34 today:
Do not suppose that I have come
to bring peace
to the earth.
I did not come
to bring peace,
but a sword.
Here's a paraphrase of how commentator Matthew Henry explains what this means:
People often think that having Jesus in their life will lead to peace in the sense of being prosperous and wealthy in this world. “No,” says Christ, “I did not come with a view to give them this sort of 'peace;' peace in heaven they may be sure of, but not peace on earth.”
Christ came to give us:
peace with God,
peace in our consciences,
peace with our brethren,
but in the world you will have trouble (John 16:33).
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:
Being called to be a disciple of Christ can be a terrifying thing. It was for the original 12 disciples, and when we truly understand the cost, it is for us as well. Keep in mind these words of comfort God gave when He called Jeremiah to be His disciple:
Jeremiah 1:7–8 (NIV)
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: In the first verse of the chapter, Jesus gave His disciples authority to do two things. What were they?
From what you’ve seen in this chapter, what does it mean to truly “follow Jesus”?
Questions taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Your Father who has called you to be His disciple in a world that hates Him
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for courage and wisdom to remain true to Christ no matter the cost
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
