Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23)

 

Second Discourse (9:36-10:42) - Most of this teaching pericope is drawn from available material-Mark 6:7-11 and Luke 10:2-12. Theme: Jesus is Messiah not only in word (chapters 5-7) and deed (chapters 8-9), but now also in authority and power (9:8).

Matthew 9:35 functions as a transition that summarizes and concludes 4:23-9:34. It is virtually identical to 4:23 which also functions similarly. On the other hand, it also provides continuity between the mission of Jesus and his disciples.

Shepherds and Harvests -two completely different metaphors stand side by side in this lesson. Both are eschatological-the harvest suggests eschatological judgment and the shepherd also suggests the eschatological judge who will separate sheep from goats. Both suggest absolute authority. [1]

Who are these under-shepherds? Except for Simon Peter, we know precious little about the names before us. [2]

Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans - reflects the struggles within the early church to develop a Gentile mission. After Easter, Matthew ends this restriction as Jesus extends the mission to all nations (28:18-20).

 

What kind of mission trips have you been on?

What stories of hospitality have you to share?

When have you met with hostility or rejection when in mission?

How does your congregation “do evangelism?” The Alpha Program? Evangelism Explosion? Small groups? What strategies, if any, does your mission committees employ to engage the non-church culture around them?

Why would Jesus want to send the disciples only to Israel, at least initially?

 

For an example of a blocked sermon on Jesus’ “mini-commission” to the seventy, please refer to DPS’ homily for the 5^{th Sunday after Pentecost, June 8th, 2001, “}What About the Rest of Us?^”

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible VIII(Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 252.
[2] See the various lists of apostles in Mark 3, Luke 6/Acts 1, the Gospel of John, and in 1 Corinthians 15:6.