It took me a few years of teaching junior and senior high school students to no longer be shocked or disappointed when they acted like teenagers. Some of things that shock parents and those that work with teenagers are just part of growing up. Working with teens became a whole lot more enjoyable when I began to expect them to act like teenagers. It’s the same thing working with those new to a relationship with Jesus. They are going to act in ways congruent with their maturity level. We can also expect those who do not believe in Jesus to act like it. They will act like it in their responses to our efforts to share the Gospel with them.
We can’t be shocked when people dislike or discriminate against Christians because Jesus told us to expect it. We in America don’t suffer from persecution, but it is becoming difficult to find our voice in sharing our faith because we are often seen in a negative light. So instead of being shocked by this reality, we can learn from Matthew chapter 10 that it is not shocking at all. A look into this passage will help us respond to the challenges of being sent into people’s lives
Beginning in verses 1-4 we see that we as sent people are to stop being apologetic of your faith. This is true because of the authority that Jesus has given to those He sends. Notice that this authority is to do the same things that He has been doing throughout Matthew chapters 8-9. It is a tremendous truth that Jesus expects us to do the things that He does. If you are like me, you would agree that this sounds crazy and impossible. However, when we accept this idea we enter a world of bringing newness and restoration.
Moving forward into verse 5-15, we discover that we are to serve as people who have been sent by another. Here, Jesus sends the twelve to the lost proclaiming that “the kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. Jesus sends the twelve out telling them that those who receive their message will provide necessary housing and food yet many others will reject them. Therefore, we too should expect that as we are sent, we don’t choose where or for what purposes. This naturally causes us to experience a good amount of fear, however Jesus tells us of how we are valued by the One who is sending us. When we understand that, we become strong enough to bare the challenges of being sent.
Jesus never states that rejection and persecution is enjoyable but He does tell us to expect it knowing that it will result in good. This is the point that I wish to draw your attention to in verses 16-39. Here, the twelve are warned that there will be legal and personal persecution and that we are to handle this persecution with wisdom, innocence. As they did, and we do today, God uses the persecution as a platform for witness. Think of all the greatness that you have seen in the lives of people who have overcome seemingly impossible situations. Further motivation to faithfully handle rejection is the love shared between us and God. We can find comfort knowing that Jesus was rejected and it was to our benefit. We can join Him in His suffering, because He has joined us in ours.
Finally, in responding to being sent, understand that God will reward those who receive you (V. 40-42). In receiving the twelve they were receiving Jesus and the Father. I find it strange but true that as people accept us as those being sent to them from God they are in some way accepting God Himself.
Reflection Questions
1. To whom is God sending you?
2. What is God sending you to do?
3. What motivates you to behave as one that has been sent?
4. Share your thoughts on handling rejection with wisdom and innocence.
5. How are we to behave as sent people in a culture that believes religious beliefs are to be kept private?
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