Matthew 10

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prodigaldaughter

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(By request I have provided my humble understanding on Matthew 10 :))


As a Christian we have power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases (v1). Jesus gave His disciples this power and by accepting and believing in Him we receive the same.


The tribes of Israel had been dispersed their total whereabouts were unknown to those who were still in Israel. Israel was chosen from the beginning Jesus commissioned the disciples to reach out to them. There are a lot of writings on the dispersion. They were to preach about the coming of God’s Kingdom. Israel looked for a physical salvation so in a way perhaps Christ was saying “Find them and tell them to get ready!”


Jesus has given a commission to reach out and let people know that the Kingdom of God is coming soon. Many are not prepared. He says this is that we must exercise the power He has given to us to reach out to people. If we look today many people are desperately crying out for help ,you can see this by all those ads on tv and those ‘testimonies’ of using the ‘New Age’ stuff. The using of psychic hotlines, to find out what to do about their situation. There has been a push for material stuff. Truth is many are searching but as a Christian we are to reach out to them.


Jesus gives us this power to do the same works He did when He was here on earth. He gave us this freely without us having to do anything other than believing in Him (v8). He also said we are not to worry about the cost of doing the work, that the work of our hands shall provide our needs (vs9,10).


Now though things shall be provided for us to meet our physical needs it does not mean it shall all go smoothly. Some will welcome you, some will not. If they welcome you, bless them with your peace and if they reject you no problem do not fight them. Too many times in our effort to teach others about Jesus Christ we fight the person. They are not rejecting us, they are rejecting Jesus. Sodom and Gomorrah sin was not hidden it was out in the open. Many will have a form of righteousness and godliness but not be of God. In other words they will live a double life. So to them they are not doing anything wrong, they do not need to change. They hide their sin unlike the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (vs14,15).


Be on our guard. We are to be careful “wise as serpents” and “gentle as doves”. If you look at a snake it moves smoothly over the area it is in. It pauses and would stick out its tongue to check out the environment. We are to tread carefully where we go. Do not do anything foolishly when it comes to telling others of the Good News of the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ and living a Christian life. Many will pretend or be as we say now ‘diplomatic’ to you. Ensure that you know the word well ask God to minister to you via the Holy Spirit. Doves have been universally accepted as symbols of peace. We are not to argue and debate but to teach and share with others. We are to do the work that Christ Himself did that is heal and cast out and tell them about the Good News! (v16)


He told the disciples to be prepared for the persecution and also we too must be prepared to receive insults, persecution etc. Some may even betray you be it fellow Christians, family members, co-workers, etc. Many will want to test you but it is not them. Remember we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities. But no matter what we must know that the God whom we serve is greater than everything. All authority was given to Christ by His Father, He subsequently through faith in Him allows us to claim His authority over any situation we are facing. He will be our strength He shall provide our words via the Holy Spirit (vs16-21).


Many will hate you because of your love for Christ hold on do not let go for those of us who endure shall have eternal life. If your life is in physical danger He shall provide a way out for you. King David was pursued by Saul, he had to move wisely in order to preserve his life. Moses mother had to preserve his life by putting him in a basket into the Nile river. Even Christ who was pursued by King Herod, Joseph was warned in a dream of what to do. God will show you what to do in your time of physical danger. The volume of work we have to do is a lot but it shall be done before He comes again (vs22,23).


In our pursuance of carrying out this commission we must not become puffed up this is what happened to Satan he became puffed up. (v24,25). We are not to fear those who are against us, who fight us. They have to answer for themselves and when Christ returns all that is hidden shall be revealed. (v26). We are to take the gospel everywhere that is what is written in the scriptures. We are not to modify it that is to add or to omit. Non believers like to use the argument that the bible has been tampered with. Everything we need to know now and what is to come has been provided within the pages. This is what we are to preach to others. The Holy Spirit will open our minds minister to us, causing us to understand and to grow in Godly wisdom, we take this to them also (v27).


I think sometimes we can be afraid of physical death and I myself have fallen into this. Jesus says do not be afraid who can harm us physically but those who can harm us both physically and spiritually. In order words as a Christian we have a hope in the resurrection and we are to keep this in mind. If we forget we can do something that would cause us to lose this (spiritual death) and then we die physically. So if we live in Christ and die, we only die physically, but if while we are alive we remove Christ from our lives and die, we die both spiritually and physically thus ending up in hell.(28)
The LORD God knows each one of us, every cell in our whole body. He knows the dimensions. He knows our stories. He knows us more than we know ourselves. He values us greatly (v31). He protects those who loves Him. He is faithful to those who are His.


We are not to compromise on our faith that is be lukewarm. If we boldly live our Christian life without shame and confess that we do believe then Jesus shall boldly declare us before the Father. It is like Him saying “Abba Father, I know this one” but if we hide the fact we are Christians because we fear being ridiculed, we could lose our jobs, we could lose the person we love, etc when we come before the Father, Jesus will say “Abba Father, I have no idea who this is” (vs32,33).


He tells us not to expect that everyone shall accept. In fact even members of our own families will disagree concerning Him. We must be willing to lose it all for Him without hesitation if it is what we need to do. He must be the centre of our lives not people. If we can do this then we are worthy of Him, worthy of who He is in us and what He has done for us. If in the process we lose everything do not worry we would have gain much more and eternal life in Him which is a better (vs34-39).
Everyone who accepts the message you give them is accepting Christ and in doing such accepts the Father (v40). We shall be rewarded for accepting Christ into our lives. Even those who are kind to us shall also be considered for the reward (vs 41, 42).


Conclusion

Jesus has authority He gave us the power to continue the work He began and as Christians we must do this. When we accept Christ we accept the Father and when we reject Christ we reject the Father. If the actions of others accept us and welcome us then we bless them with our peace, if not we leave them we do not fight them. Expect rejection even if it is from a family member, even if it means we must give up on something or someone. Do not worry we shall be rewarded. Acknowledge Him in all we do and before all and when the time comes He shall do the same for us before the Father. When the day of the Lord comes all shall be revealed. The Father values each of us. We are protected and need not to worry about what to say or how our daily physical needs shall be met. Know that Jesus is Lord of All.
 
I wouldn't of said it any better. Great post. When we are in God, Jesus, the father are one, and the HOly Spirit dwells with us, within us. We are within his Bosom of Love,{ Perfect Love casts out fear} We have not been given the spirit of fear, but Peace, ordor and a Sound Mind. To fear the LOrd is the Best way to life, as Proverbs 9:10 says. Fear is captivity, I don't fear anything on this earth, NOTHING, but I fear God, to please him so that my thoughts, and words will be pleasing unto him at ALL times. People watch to many horror movies, and think that fear is a normal way of life, a part of their character, it is the worlds, and the carnal mind. NOt the mind of Christ, for to be in him, is live and peace, Peace which is the opposite of torment, disturbance and phobias and fear, which is satans number ONE weapon against non believers, and believers. Yes I take authority over every thought of fear that satan's cohorts, would send, and I do rebuke them in Jesus's name. We are to bring every thought into captivity, and not let things bring darkness fear and bondage's and take a person captive with these things. If God said, "God has not given us a spirit of fear" then it should be known who it is coming from, and dealt with with authority, and power, the word, which is the sword. Beautiful Post, I was going to post this, but didn't want to offend some.... NO fear Here. Jesus lives with me. "Whom shall I fear" says the scriptures, the word of the LOrd should be read more, there must be things in it's place.... God Bless you....