What I Noticed Today (Matthew 10-11)
Matthew 10
Chapter 10 is Jesus’ second discourse or teaching.
In verses 1-4, Jesus calls the disciples together and commissions them with authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal every disease.
Note: Whenever the lists of the apostles are given, Simon Peter is listed first, and Judas is last.
Note: The word “disciple” means “learner.” The word “apostle” means “one sent forth to represent an official.” The disciples became apostles when Jesus commissioned them and sent them out.
In verses 5-15, Jesus directs the apostles to proclaim the Gospel to the people of Israel and avoid the Gentiles and Samaritans.
Note: Samaritans in this time were half-breeds due to intermarriage with Gentiles after Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C.
The apostles were not to carry money, supplies, extra clothing, or even a walking stick as they went. They were to be completely dependent on the Lord to provide for them. When they entered a city, they were to stay with those who were worthy (accepted the Gospel message), and if anyone would not listen, they were to shake the dust off of their feet and move on.
Note: It was a tradition for Jews to shake the dust off their feet after visiting a pagan land before re-entering Israel. The apostles shaking the dust off of their feet marked that family (or town) as pagan, one who had rejected Christ.
Verse 15 transitions to the day of judgment in the end times.
In verses 16-23, Jesus warns the apostles about the response they will encounter as they spread the gospel. He said they would be like sheep among wolves and cautioned them to be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Jesus said they would be dragged before governors and kings to bear witness to them and the Gentiles. They should not worry about what they were to say; the Lord would guide them through the Spirit. Jesus went on to warn them to expect betrayal and hatred from their own families. As soon as they faced persecution in one town, they were to move on to another. Even then, they would not be able to reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man would come.
Note: The reference to the Son of Man is to the end times. The idea that the apostles would not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man returns suggests they would not reach all the towns throughout the world where the Jews had been scattered.
In verses 24-33, Jesus encourages the apostles, saying it is enough for them to be like their teacher (a student is not above the teacher).
Note: Beelzebub is a name for Satan and means “lord of the flies.”
Jesus encourages them, explaining that they need not be afraid of those who can kill the body but fear those who can also kill the soul. Anyone who acknowledges Jesus before men, Jesus will acknowledge before the Father, but whoever denies Jesus before men, Jesus will deny before the Father.
In verses 34-39, Jesus warns that division will occur within families as soon as they choose to follow Him, and others choose to reject Him. Jesus said His disciples must be willing to pick up their cross and follow Him. They must be willing to die for Him.
Note: In the Roman world, a convicted criminal was often forced to carry their own crosses to their deaths as a sign of their guilt. Do we pick up our cross in such a way that we can be seen as “guilty” of being a Christ-follower?
In verses 40-42, Jesus speaks of the rewards of discipleship. The one who receives a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, the one who receives a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Even the simple act of offering a cup of cold water to a disciple will be worthy of a heavenly reward because he is a disciple.
Some important principles in this chapter:
- Whom God calls, God equips.
- Don’t expect life as a Christian to be without persecution and trials.
- We have nothing to fear from man as we serve our Lord.
- Every act of service done for the Kingdom is noticed and will be rewarded in Heaven.
Matthew 11
In verse 1, Jesus had finished instructing the disciples and left them to teach and preach in their cities.
In verses 2-6, John the Baptist sends a messenger to Jesus from his prison cell, asking if Jesus is the One. Jesus tells the messenger to tell John about what they themselves had seen and heard (the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the dead brought back to life, and the Gospel preached). These miracles were evidence that Jesus was indeed the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5-6, Isaiah 61:1).
In verses 7-15, Jesus taught the crowd about John the Baptist. John said Jesus was a true prophet, Jesus’ own messenger as prophesied in Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Although John was the greatest man on earth, the least man in heaven will be greater.
The kingdom of heaven had suffered violence due to religious leaders who had rejected John’s claims about the Messiah and persecuted believers.
In verses 16-19, Jesus compared the current generation to children in the marketplace, complaining that they played the flute and no one danced, and they played a dirge, and no one mourned. They claimed John was a demon because he didn’t eat or drink and claimed the Son of Man was a glutton and drunkard because he ate and drank. Wisdom eluded them, or they would have accepted John’s message about Jesus.
In verses 20-24, Jesus began to denounce cities (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum) where He had done His greatest works, yet they did not repent and believe. It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for these cities because they had seen Jesus’ miracles and still rejected Him.
In verses 25-30, Jesus prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for all those who would hear His message and turn to Him. Jesus called all who were weary and heavy-laden to come to Him. His burden was light, and they would find rest. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Note: Animals (commonly oxen) were frequently yoked together to plow a field. Jesus is saying His yoke is easy, and His burden light in contrast to the yoke of the Jewish leaders, which imposed a heavy burden on the people.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
