Chapter 10 is an answer to the pray in Matt 9:38. Very often when we pray for more labor, God will send us as labor. Chapter 10 is the proclamation of the kingdom by the Twelve. It is quite clear that their scope of proclamation is different from our scope in church age. The gospel is limited to Israel (vv. 5-7). The kingdom is near because the king has arrived.
Jesus sent out His disciples as His representatives to proclaim the Kingdom. They had His power (8) and His message (20). They also would go through His persecution (25) but they would have the same protection (29-31) and reward (40-42). Just like the disciples, we are now Jesus’ witnesses. What a wonderful privilege (Mike)!
Now, the Pharisees has made up their mind about Jesus that He is the prince of demons (9:34). Jesus prepares His disciples that they will be rejected when they go and share the His words (10:14). They will be hand over to the authority (v.17-18), they will be betrayed by their family (v.21), they will be hate and persecuted (v.22-23), they will be killed (v.28). From following a hero doctor, or a prophet loved by the people the disciples now face these?! They must be very frightening. Jesus corrects their view about their fears, "Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (v.28)." I wasted a lot of time fearing men. However, the most fearful should be God Himself. On the other hand, Jesus told us that He is also the one that loves us most. "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (v.30)." (Audrey)
Jesus sent out His disciples as His representatives to proclaim the Kingdom. They had His power (8) and His message (20). They also would go through His persecution (25) but they would have the same protection (29-31) and reward (40-42). Just like the disciples, we are now Jesus’ witnesses. What a wonderful privilege (Mike)!
Now, the Pharisees has made up their mind about Jesus that He is the prince of demons (9:34). Jesus prepares His disciples that they will be rejected when they go and share the His words (10:14). They will be hand over to the authority (v.17-18), they will be betrayed by their family (v.21), they will be hate and persecuted (v.22-23), they will be killed (v.28). From following a hero doctor, or a prophet loved by the people the disciples now face these?! They must be very frightening. Jesus corrects their view about their fears, "Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (v.28)." I wasted a lot of time fearing men. However, the most fearful should be God Himself. On the other hand, Jesus told us that He is also the one that loves us most. "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (v.30)." (Audrey)
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