Sending Harvest Workers (Matthew 10)

 

Sending Harvest Workers (Matthew 10)

Collin Leong. May 1, 2025

 

v1-14: Sending The First Harvest Workers

In the previous chapter, Jesus said the harvest workers are few. In chapter 10, we read about Jesus sending his 12 disciples to the Jewish region as missionaries. Why only to the Jews? Because the gentiles are not familiar with Jesus at this point. They haven’t heard His teachings nor seen His miracles. Only the Jews have, and they are ready to make decisions. (See Matt 11:23-24)

In this chapter, Jesus told them what to do, where to go, and instructions on how to do the mission. Above all, He gave them the divine authority to do so.

This is the model procedure for sending new missionaries into the field. This is what Jesus told them:

v5-15: Instructions For Their Mission

1.     (v5-7) To go to the "lost sheep of Israel" (Jews only)

2.      (v8) Authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.

3.      (v9-10) To bring no money with them.

4.      (v11-13) Search for a worthy person once they enter a town.

5.      (v14-15) They should "shake the dust off your feet" and leave the town that rejected them.

 

v16-25: The Challenges The Disciples Will Face 

1.     (v16) Expect to face opposition, persecution, and danger from those who reject their teachings.

2.     (v17) They may be handed over to local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.

3.     (v18) They may be forced to face the governors and kings who may be gentiles.

4.     (v19-20) When arrested, rely on the Holy Spirit in how and what to say.

5.     (v21-22) They will be hated by everyone.

 

v26-42: Encouragement and Rewards For The Missionaries

1.     (v26)  God’s justice and truth will prevail in the end.

2.     (v27-28) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

3.     (v29-31) Even when they don’t have money, God will take care of them as they are worth more than sparrows, for God even knows how many hairs they have!

4.     (v32-33) They will be rewarded and will be acknowledge by Jesus before the Father.

5.     (v39) "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."  - those who are willing to surrender their life, ambitions, and even endure suffering for the sake of Jesus will find true and lasting life, both now and in eternity.

 

v40-42:  Blessings For Those Who Welcome the Gospel

1.     (v40-41) Those who welcomes the disciples welcomes Jesus; those who welcome Jesus welcomes the One who sent Him (i.e. God the Father). They will receive their own rewards.

2.     (v42)   Those who supports the missionaries, even with a cup of cold water, will receive their rewards.

 

Conclusion

It is important that before we go out and go forth, that we have the authority from God to do so. We all know we have the authority to share the gospel and make disciples of all the nations (Matt 28:19-20), however the further details on where and how will be assigned and arranged by the Lord. Some of us are approved to do so in our community, some of us in our market place, some of us for other nations, and some of us at dangerous places.

The call is for all of us. Find out from God your own mission place and commit ourselves to it. Be willing to take the “training” that Jesus gave to His disciples on their first mission, then you can be sure what His call is for you.

Romans 10:14-15 – "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"

Isaiah 6:8 – "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’"