“35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
“10:1 Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.”
“5 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons’” Matthew 9:35 - 10:8.
“We have seen Christ’s concern for those in Israel who are sick, sinners, outcasts, or afflicted by demons. Now Jesus shows compassion for the crowds who come to him. His heart was moved with pity for them — even deep, emotional concern. Lacking leaders to guide them, the crowds are like sheep without a shepherd. In Ezekiel 34, the image of sheep without shepherds describes the suffering of God’s people due to the corrupt leaders of Israel in Ezekiel’s day who did not shepherd the people to walk in God’s ways but left them scattered and vulnerable to attack. Ezekiel 34 foretold that God would come to shepherd the people himself, uniting them under one shepherd. By using imagery from Ezekiel to describe the crowds (“lost sheep”), Matthew shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the new shepherd gathering the people of Israel. Matthew’s text also describes the leadership in Jesus’ day. Instead of shepherding the people toward their Messiah, certain leaders accuse him of blasphemy (9:3) while others say he is in league with Satan (9:34).
(10:1–4) In response to the problem of insufficient laborers, Jesus appoints twelve apostles. The number twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel. By selecting twelve apostles as leaders in his kingdom movement, Jesus makes it known that his kingdom is the new Israel and that these twelve men will play a central role in it. The number twelve also brings to mind the twelve tribal leaders who assisted Moses in leading Israel (Num 1:1–16). Jesus, the new Moses, has twelve apostles to help carry out his mission.
Matthew highlights that Jesus gave them authority — a very significant point. The apostles’ unique authority is conveyed in their title, apostles, which means “those who are sent.” An apostle participates in the authority of the one who sends him.
The first four apostles listed — Simon, Andrew, James, and John — were introduced in 4:18–22. Simon Peter is designated first not merely in order but also in rank. His preeminence will be expounded on in 16:13–20. The other apostles (Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas . . . , James, and Thaddeus) are mentioned by name in Mark’s Gospel, but here only in this passage. Simon also is mentioned only here. His title “the Cananean” denotes one who is zealous for the law. Judas Iscariot will appear later, in Matthew’s Passion Narrative. Iscariot likely means “man from Kerioth,” a city in southern Judea. He is listed last, for he is introduced as the apostle who betrayed Jesus.
(10:5–8) At this point, Jesus focuses the apostles’ attention on the Jewish population: Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. This priority given to Israel demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people. Israel was the nation called by God and given his covenantal promises, and it is the first to hear the gospel. This pattern will be imitated by the apostles after Pentecost, especially by Paul, who went to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles throughout his missionary travels.
The twelve apostles represented a wide range of personalities, backgrounds, and approaches to the problems Israel faced in the 1st century. At one end of the spectrum, Simon the Cananean with his zeal for the Torah had nationalistic and revolutionary leanings (see 10:4; Luke 6:15). At the other extreme, Matthew had been working with the foreign oppressors to collect taxes from his fellow Jews. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. Two of the Twelve — Philip and Andrew — had Greek names, indicating an openness to Gentile culture in their upbringing.
That Jesus united these very diverse men reminds us of how He wants to continue to unite His varied followers today, so that we may faithfully serve the one mission Christ has given all of the Churches.
Today, then, consider the diversity among the Apostles and their missions and backgrounds. Remember that throughout the world the Spirit of God has always called different races of people to follow Him in different ways.
Our experience of Christ and our knowledges of the bible is different throughout the world. This is the beauty of God’s creation. Our ways are not everyone else’s ways.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” Revelation 7:9-10!
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him” James 2:1-26?
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” Colossians 1:16-17.
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