Motley Crew

January 13, 2010

The Questions

Read Matthew 10:1-4

1. Has the Lord ever dealt with you in such a way that you knew you were the answer to your prayer?

2. In verse 1 Matthew uses “mathatas” = disciple. In verse 2 he uses “apostolon” = apostle. Why?

3. Are you an apostle or a disciple?

4. Who can name the 12?

Matthew 10:5-16

5. What does this tell us about the Jewish nation? Does Jeremiah 50:6 help?

6. What does it say about us?

7. How much money were they to take?

8. How would they survive?

9. Who would send out sheep among wolves?

10. How do we balance being shrewd and innocent?

Motley Crew on Matthew

January 13, 2010

Some Answers

Read Matthew 10:1-4

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil [a]spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 10:1 Greek unclean

1. Has the Lord ever dealt with you in such a way that you knew you were the answer to your prayer?

Darlene mentioned when someone needed to take in Daemon and the answer was her and Bill. Jeanne mentioned going to take food to Clara Alldredge and how the Lord answered her prayer that Clara would come to the door even though Clara can’t hear – and Clara did come to the door! We reminded ourselves to be careful what we pray for…

It is not uncommon that a kind word or a pat on the back is a life-changing gesture to others … but that we didn't know it at the time. How many times have we entertained angels, unaware?

Hebrews 13:2: Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

2. In verse 1 Matthew uses “mathatas” = disciple. In verse 2 he uses “apostolon” = apostle. Why?

Disciple = someone who follows Jesus and helps others follow Him too. Every Christian is called to be a disciple – most Christians who attend church struggle with the second part of that equation. Apostle = sent one and in the context of the New Testament someone who was with Jesus from His Baptism until He was taken up into heaven. Acts 1:21-26

Acts 1:21-26:

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

“The term apostles is rare in the gospels, found only here, Mark 3:14, and six more times in Luke (6:13; 9:10; 11:49; 17:5; 22:14; 24:10).” The NET Bible.

John 8:31-32. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

The word “disciple” comes from the Greek “mathetes” (μάφητής, #3101) which Strong's defines as "a learner, i.e., pupil:─ disciple." The root is "manthano" (μάνφάνω, #3129), meaning to learn (in any way) or to understand. Source: James Strong, The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1990), "Greek Dictionary of the New Testament," pp. 54-55.

3. Are you an apostle or a disciple?

Hopefully the latter.

4. Who can name the 12?

No one had them memorized including the teacher.

Yea, right. I can barely remember what I had for breakfast!

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Read Matthew 10:5-16

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, [a] drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 I tell you the truth [άμην λεγώ], it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 10:8 The Greek word was used for various diseases affecting the skin—not necessarily leprosy.

5. What does this tell us about the Jewish nation? Does Jeremiah 50:6 help?

God loves His people. We crossed referenced Jeremiah 50:6 and realized that God is especially concerned when false teachers lead His sheep astray. He wants all of His sheep to be in the fold!

Jeremiah 50:6:

"My people have been lost sheep;
their shepherds have led them astray
and caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
and forgot their own resting place.

6. What does it say about us?

God loves His people. He is especially concerned when false teachers lead His sheep astray. He wants all of His sheep to be in the fold!

Matthew 7:15-16: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

“False prophets.” This means false teachers, that is, those who themselves up to be teachers of others, who appear to be holy and righteous, but whose teachings are repugnant to the word of God, and destructive to the souls of men. Paraphrase of John Gill's Exposition of the Bible.

“The Didache speaks of a type of prophet whom it pithily names a χριστέμπορος, … a Christ-merchant. There have always been prophets of this type, “each one to his gain,” … “Evangel-merchants,” traders in religious revival.” W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor's Greek Testament (New York: George H. Doran Co., ca. 1900), p. 133. The full quotation from the Didache, ca. 50-120 AD, is found at the bottom of the page.

7. How much money were they to take?

None.

8. How would they survive?

God.

9. Who would send out sheep among wolves?

Jesus. Because He knows He is going with them.

10. How do we balance being shrewd and innocent?

16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Proverbs 15:1 talks about the power of a gentle answer. We talked about handling argumentative people by softening our voice and getting turning our attention to higher ground.

Proverbs 15:1:

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A couple of additional notes:

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel--Until Christ's death, which broke down the middle wall of Partition (Eph 2:14), the Gospel commission was to the Jews only, who, though the visible people of God, were "lost sheep," not merely in the sense which all sinners are (Isa 53:6; 1Pe 2:25; compare with Lu 19:10), but as abandoned and left to wander from the right way by faithless shepherds (Jer 50:6, 17; Eze 34:2-6, &c.). Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871.

And if the house be worthy--showing this by giving you a welcome.
… let your peace come upon it--This is best explained by the injunction to the Seventy, "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house" (Lu 10:5). This was the ancient salutation of the East, and it prevails to this day. But from the lips of Christ and His messengers, it means something far higher, both in the gift and the giving of it, than in the current salutation. (See on Joh 14:27).
… but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you--If your peace finds a shut, instead of an open, door in the heart of any household, take it back to yourselves, who know how to value it; and it will taste the sweeter to you for having been offered, even though rejected. Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871.

… shake off the dust of your feet--By this symbolical action they vividly shook themselves from all connection with such, and all responsibility for the guilt of rejecting them and their message. Such symbolical actions were common in ancient times, even among others than the Jews, as strikingly appears in Pilate (Mt 27:24). And even to this day it prevails in the East. Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871.

Excerpt from the Didache (ca. 50-120 AD)

The Didache was written ca. 50-120, and is also known as the “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.” Unusual among these types of Apocryphal writings, this is a clear and direct exposition. It is said to have been held in high regard in the early Christian church, and was a contender for inclusion in the Canon in some churches.

“Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.

“Chapter 12. Reception of Christians. But receive everyone who comes in the name of the Lord, and prove and know him afterward; for you shall have understanding right and left. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far as you are able; but he shall not remain with you more than two or three days, if need be. But if he wants to stay with you, and is an artisan, let him work and eat. But if he has no trade, according to your understanding, see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he wills not to do, he is a Christ-monger [χριστέμπορος ]. Watch that you keep away from such.”

Translation by Roberts-Donaldson <http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html>. See generally, Didache <http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html> and Didache. (2010, January 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:25, January 16, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Didache&oldid=337873016

Some Additional Resources.

W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor's Greek Testament (New York: George H. Doran Co., ca. 1900).

The Greek Interlinear Bible.

http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/mat10.pdf

The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2009).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706, 1811. http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/mhc/matthew10.htm

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary

http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/mh/matthew10.htm

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, 10 Volumes, 1746-1766; 1816.

http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/gill/matthew10.htm

Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871.

http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/matthew/jfb/matthew10.htm

Some other additional resources are linked from this web page:

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/prayer_and_study_resources.htm#Additional_Resources