Matthew 10-12

Matthew 10

 Commissioning the Twelve

• Authority (ἐξουσία) given:
  • over unclean spirits, disease
• Twelve can be seen as symbolic of Israel (12 tribes)
• Apostles (ἀπόστολοι) = “sent ones”

“Go nowhere among Gentiles…”

• Focus: “lost sheep of Israel” (Ezek 34)
• Message: “Kingdom of heaven is at hand”
• Heal, cleanse, raise, cast out
• “Give without pay”

No provisions so their reliance is on God

• Worthy households vs. those who reject
  • Those who receive will be blessed

Persecution will come: “Sheep in the midst of wolves”

• Wise (φρόνιμοι) as serpents, innocent (ἀκέραιοι) as doves
• Spirit will speak through them 
• Family division can happen
• “You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes”
  • ? AD 70?

Disciple not above teacher, they will be persecuted

Hidden things will be revealed

• “Fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (γέεννα)”
• Hair on our head is numbered, we are more valued than the sparrows 

 Cost of Discipleship

• God came to bring “Not peace but a sword” which can lead to division of households
• Christ > family
• “Take up his cross”: total surrender

Receiving apostles = receiving Christ = receiving Father

Matthew 11

John the Baptist’s Question

• John ’s disciples as Jesus if He is really the Messiah
  • Could be John doubting, or teaching his disciples
• Jesus answers with Isaiah fulfillment:
  • blind see (Isa 35:5)
  • poor receive good news (Isa 61:1)
• “Blessed is the one not offended by me” 

Jesus on John

• Not a reed shaken
  • He is a steadfast prophet
• “More than a prophet”
  •  Malachi 3:1
• “Least in the kingdom is greater than he”:
  • Did not live under new covenant
• “Elijah who is to come” 

Children in marketplace metaphor who criticize

• Reject both:
  • John 
  • Jesus 
• “Wisdom is justified by her deeds”

Unrepentant Cities: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum

• Tyre, Sidon, Sodom comparisons

Things hidden from “wise” but revealed to “little children”

• mutual knowledge: Father and Son

“Come to me… I will give you rest”

Matthew 12

Lord of the Sabbath

• Disciples pluck grain and Pharisees object
• Jesus cites:
  • David eating bread (1 Sam 21)
  • Priests working on Sabbath (Num 28)
• Hosea 6:6 again:  mercy over sacrifice
• “Something greater than the temple is here”
• “Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath”

Healing on the Sabbath

• Man with withered hand
• Jesus heals on Sabbath (not allowed)
• Pharisees begin plot to destroy Him

1The Servant of the Lord

• Jesus withdraws but continued healing
• Isaiah 42:1–4 fulfilled
  • Peaceful Messiah
  • Mission to the Gentiles

Demon-oppressed man healed

• Pharisees attribute to Beelzebul
• Jesus knew their thoughts and says:
  • A divided kingdom cannot stand
  • Spirit of God, kingdom of God present
• “Blasphemy against the Spirit”: unforgivable 

Tree known by fruit

• Words reveal heart
• Judgment includes out speech

Sign of Jonah

• Pharisees demand for a sign rejected by Jesus
• Only sign: Jonah:  death & resurrection
• Nineveh, Queen of Sheba, repented and sought wisdom BUT
  • “Something greater than Jonah/Solomon”

When an unclean spirit leaves someone, they are still an empty house

• Brings 7 more spirits- now in worse condition
• External change is not enough 

Biological family vs. spiritual family

• “Whoever does the will of my Father”

Application

Following Jesus means embracing the cost as well. Jesus did not have an easy road, and neither will we. God calls us to have transformed hearts when we follow Him, not just empty religion.