Yeshua Sends Out His Emissaries ~ Part 2
In our last post, we began to examine the topic of Yeshua Sends Out His Emissaries. In this post, we learned that Yeshua Instructed Them.
Yeshua Instructs His Emissaries
5 These twelve Yeshua sent out with the following instructions: “Don’t go into the territory of the Goyim (Gentiles) and don’t enter any town in Shomron (Samaria)
Yeshua first extends His announcement of the Kingdom of Heaven to the Jews, who were eagerly awaiting its arrival. Their eventual rejection of Yeshua leads to the Gentile mission, which receives its most explicit expression in the ministry of the Emissary Sha’ul. The people of Shomron were of mixed Israelite and foreign descent who lived in the region of the northern kingdom of Isra’el before the Assyrian and Babylonian exile.
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el. 7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near,’
Lost sheep commonly served as a metaphor for a hopeless and leaderless people. The emissaries were to preach the same message that Yeshua preached and that Yochanan the Immerser preached before Him.
8 heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara’at (leprosy) and expel demons. You have received without paying, so give without asking for payment.
The tasks listed here authenticate the emissary’s message. These actions also show the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. Yeshua calls on the talmidim to share the blessings of the kingdom of heaven with no expectation of being compensated.
9 Don’t take money in your belts, no gold, no silver, no copper; 10 and for the trip, don’t take a pack, an extra shirt, shoes, or a walking stick – a worker should be given what he needs.
The talmidim were to go without money or supplies. Their needs would be met through God’s provision.
The phrase a worker should be given what he needs sums up biblical principles regarding both priests and laborers (Lev 19:13; Num 18:31; Deut. 24:15; 25:4; 1 Cor 9:9; 1 Tim 5:18). The ultimate provision for ministry is the power of God, not our resources.
11 “When you come to a town or village, look for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. 12 When you enter someone’s household, say, ‘Shalom aleikhem!’ (Peace be upon you) 13 If the home deserves it, let your shalom rest on it; if not, let your shalom return to you. 14 But if the people of a house or town will not welcome you or listen to you, leave it, and shake its dust from your feet!
Shake its dust from your feet is a symbolic act of renunciation and indicates a severed relationship.
15 Yes, I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for the people of S’dom and ‘Amora than for that town! ~ Mattityahu 10:5-15
In our next post, we will continue to examine He Sends Out His Emissaries in Mattityahu 10:16.
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My Heart is for Israel 