Matthew 10

Matthew 10 Jesus is expanding His ministry through His disciples. Sitting at Jesus's feet and learning is only part of our ministry. It is an important part, but equally important is for us to work out His ministry through the power and gifts that He gives us.

We must obey Jesus, and depend on Him when we do the work that He sends us to do. It is not our ministry, and we are not self-reliant. We are working on behalf of Jesus - that is what it means to do things "in His name." We shouldn't blindly, randomly do things and say we are working for God. We should listen for His call on our lives and then heed His instructions in that calling. When He tells us to do something, we should depend on Him to provide what we need to carry out what He has called us to do. I liken it to travelling for work. If work sends me on a trip, they have to provide the plane ticket, the hotel, and the instructions about what to do when I get there - or else they have to give me the authority to do these things in their name.

Sheep among wolves points to us being believers among non-believers - even those who might put on the appearance of being believers. Unsaved people will love their selves more than anything else - even to the point of family members betraying each other to death. We are not to be surprised when we meet opposition to God's mission. His mission is to redeem a fallen world - which means we will meet opposition from the fallen in this world.

We are to fear God alone - not this world, or the things of it.

Our duty is to confess Christ. No matter what threats we face.

Jesus says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. He gives peace to those who follow Him, but His word is a sword, and many people will be divided by it. We see it all the time, as soon as you bring up the Bible you can sense how some people get interested and some lose interest or begin to argue. The word of the Lord does not allow for half-measures. You are either with Him or against Him.

And our service to our gracious and generous Lord is not without reward. God recognizes us and will give us all the satisfaction we will ever need - in Him.