Daily Devotions
Matthew
Establishing Contacts
Text: Matthew 10 : 8 - 13
What a wonderful planner Jesus was! As we study how He prepared His disciples for their first outreach at public ministry, we stand amazed at the way Jesus gave instructions to His disciples! Every detail was looked into! Let us now consider His word of advice concerning how to establish contact with a would-be local supporter.
“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire
who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.”
Matthew 10:11
How should we understand this word of advice? Let us consider the following thoughts.
1. Make inquiries
In any town or city, there would always be people who stand out in a crowd as godly people. As much as there would be people who are infamous for their sinful ways, there would also be people who live righteously. A few discreet inquiries would soon reveal the whereabouts of the righteous.
2. Key word – “Worthy”
The word that the disciples must remember is “worthy”. Those who truly loved God would not only understand the mission of the apostles. They would also be fully supportive of any evangelistic thrust planned!
These people would, as a sign of their worthiness, open up their homes to accommodate the apostles! The righteous would always lend a hand to support a good and righteous cause. Few causes can compare with the work of evangelism!
3. Gracious Hosts and Perfect Guests
As much as Jesus anticipated good and righteous people who will play the role of gracious hosts, the disciples must learn how to be “perfect guests”. They must honour the people who have received them into their homes. They must plan to stay in the same home until their mission is completed.
FURTHER ELABORATION ON CHECKING OUT CONTACTS
This word of instruction must have sounded a little puzzling to the disciples. Would there really be people who would open up their homes to total strangers? Could there be such righteous people who would be willing to care for them in the manner Jesus had said? How would the disciples recognize homes that are worthy? As if Jesus anticipated the questions of His disciples, He spoke to them these words.
“And when you go into a household, greet it.
If the household is worthy, let your peace come
upon it. If the house is not worthy, let your
peace return to you.”
Matthew 10:12-13
1. The usual greeting of “Shalom”
It was customary for Jews to greet people with the word “Shalom” or “Peace”. The disciples after making discreet inquiries would be given a list of people they could establish contacts with. They would then go to the homes and greet the people living there with the word “Peace”.
2. More than just a word of greeting
The disciples were promised “authority” when they go out to minister! When they greet a home with the word “Peace”, they were not just greeting people in the usual manner. The blessing of peace would actually descend upon the home that would open its doors to the apostles! What a breath-taking thought this is!
3. The possibility of rejection
As the disciples made inquiries, they would have to go through the list of possible contacts with whom they could touch base. Two possibilities must be carefully thought through.
a) There would be some who are “worthy”
Those who are truly righteous would soon reveal why they have earned a good reputation. Their actions, in this case expressed in hospitality to servants of God, would prove that they are worthy people. They would receive the blessing of peace.
b) There would be those who only appear righteous
Jesus had to give His newly appointed apostles this extra bit of insight. There would be people who do not deserve the reputation attributed to them. They may appear to be good and righteous people, but on further inquiry, they prove themselves unworthy.
There would be people whose faith is only expressed in words rather than deeds. These who only appear righteous would never open their homes to itinerant preachers like the apostles. They would not be able to recognize the apostles of Jesus as servants of God.
The pronouncement of “Peace” upon the household would not be uttered in vain. The blessing that could have come to the household would be “returned”. The disciples would have to discover what this means when they actually entered into the ministry.
MUCH AT STAKE!
Jesus left nothing to chance where ministry was concerned. Much was at stake! Two things may be highlighted for special mention.
1. The reputation of the Name of Jesus was at stake.
2. The success of the Mission was at stake.
Hence, Jesus had to give such elaborate instructions to His apostles.