Matthew 10

What’s Happening?

In Matthew 10, Jesus gives his closest followers a special mission and a special authority. 

He tells them to preach what he has preached and do what he has done (Matthew 10:7). They are to announce the arrival of God’s Kingdom and heal the sick.

But along with this new mission comes a list of warnings. People will ignore or reject their message, and they will attack and persecute them as messengers (Matthew10:17). This mission will cost these disciples more than they can imagine. 

But three different times, Jesus tells them not to be afraid.

First, Jesus tells them not to be afraid because everything hidden will be made known (Matthew 10:26). He links their persecution to his (Matthew 10:25). Jesus will be arrested in secret and killed under the cloak of false accusations. But his identity and victory over the grave would not be hidden when he rose from the dead. In the same way, Jesus promises he will reveal final victory out of their most hidden moments of persecution.

Second, Jesus reminds the disciples that they will face some who can kill their bodies but not their souls (Matthew 10:28). Their persecutors can only do so much. Jesus promises that those who lose their life for his sake will find it (Matthew 10:39). They don’t have to be afraid because Jesus can bring life out of death.

Last, Jesus compares God’s care for birds to his attentive care for the disciples. They should not fear because God will care for them far more than he provides for birds (Matthew 10:31). 

Where is the Gospel?

This mission is a living picture of salvation and judgment through Jesus. Those who receive the disciples’ message experience God’s peace and welcome (Matthew 10:13). But when towns reject the message, the disciples shake off the dust from their feet (Matthew 10:14). It’s a symbol that their rejection leaves them outside of God’s cleansing presence and that judgment still remains (Matthew 10:15).

The same choice remains for us today. When we believe the good news of Jesus, we are reconciled to God and restored to his peace (Romans 5:1). When we reject him, we remain bound in our brokenness and cut off from life (John 3:36).

Jesus makes an incredible promise: he will stand with anyone who trusts him and acknowledge them before his Father (Matthew 10:32). This is good news because our belonging with God doesn’t depend on our ability to measure up, but on Jesus uniting us to himself. By faith, we are welcomed as God’s family, made righteous in his presence, and given his Spirit to live a new life.

Now those who believe this good news are also sent, just like the first disciples (Matthew 28:19). We are to announce God’s Kingdom and live the way of Jesus in the world. We don’t need to fear rejection because we are already accepted by God. We don’t need to fear persecution because even in death, Jesus brings life. And we don’t need to fear scarcity because God’s presence and provision go with us in every circumstance.

See for Yourself

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God who sends out messengers of his Kingdom. And may you see Jesus as the one who welcomes you into God’s family and promises to stand with you before the Father.