Daily Devotions
Matthew
A Humble Beginning
Text: Matthew 10 : 1- 8
The disciples were graciously called and mightily empowered. Given such potential in their hands, it would seem as if they were ready to take on the world! Yet, the fact was that Jesus wanted them to learn what it means to have a very humble beginning.
“These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them,
saying, ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and
do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'”
Matthew 10:5-6
What were some of the reasons for these restrictions to be placed on the disciples? Three aspects must be considered carefully.
A. “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles”
1. Not quite ready yet
Jesus knew His disciples better than they knew themselves. They had only one brief encounter with Gentiles at Gerasa. Jesus had not yet prepared them for a ministry to the Gentiles. They were not quite ready to venture so far afield at that point of time. In due process, they would be challenged to reach the world!
2. The wisdom of having a limited initial ministry
There was great wisdom in sending the disciples to have a taste of public ministry within a limited scope, yet with virtually unlimited power! Experience must first be gained. It is through gaining one successful experience after another, that greater confidence and knowledge would be obtained.
B. “And do not enter a city of the Samaritans”
Samaria was a neighbouring country. The Samaritans had Jewish blood, even though they ended up with different traditions and beliefs. The sad fact was that the Jews and the Samaritans were at loggerheads with each other. There was no love lost between the two races at that point of time.
1. All in good time
Jesus had plans to reach the Samaritans – but those plans were meant for a future date. In time, the disciples would reach the Samaritans with the Gospel, but that moment of victory had to wait. The disciples had to learn many deep lessons of both faith and ministry through experience first!
There was great tension between the Jews and the Samaritans at that point of time. Many problems could arise if delicate and sensitive inter-racial problems were not handled wisely.
2. More ministry skills required
Being successful in ministry required special skills! Being empowered was important, but reaching out to Samaritans would require more than just a display of power! Jesus was supremely empowered, but He never used that power to coerce anyone to come to faith! Neither did He “take advantage” of those He healed, to compel them to come to faith in Him!
Faith in Jesus was to be obtained through knowledge of the Scriptures and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples would have to learn how to preach and teach the Word of God mightily to win souls for the Lord!
C. “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”
1. A Vast ministry
Just to reach “the house of Israel” was in itself a tremendous challenge! The disciples of Jesus must have been glad in their hearts that they were only asked to go to the lost sheep in Israel alone! They had seen how hard Jesus had to work! Even if He were to send out many more disciples, they would have their hands full, in reaching the whole nation of Israel!
2. Cultivating a shepherd’s heart
The words Jesus chose were of great significance. Yes, He empowered them with authority to confront demons victoriously! Yes, they had power to heal all kinds of sicknesses. However, after having done that, their work was not yet done.
The disciples needed to learn what it means to have a shepherd’s heart to care for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Some had to be searched out, like the tax collectors and sinners. Matthew himself was a classic case of the kind of work that had to be done. It was not just preaching the Gospel to him. Being successful in ministry involved extending friendship, instruction in the faith and lots more!
THE “TENSION” BETWEEN BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MINISTRY
The instructions Jesus gave to the disciples displayed great wisdom. Two aspects of that wisdom may be highlighted.
1. Breadth of Ministry
The restrictions Jesus placed on the disciples necessarily curtailed the potential breadth of ministry. Breadth could always be explored at a later stage.
2. Depth of Ministry
Obviously, Jesus wanted His disciples to first deepen their understanding of ministry through experience. Their calling, their being empowered, their anticipated success in ministry – each of these things must be understood at a deeper level. Only if they had a carefully coordinated and guided ministry would they be able to cultivate a depth of ministry for the future!