St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 16a, The Enemy

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 1.  

Christ now instructs his disciples about the enemy that they will face.  He tells them that he is sending them into the midst of the enemy clothed as sheep.  He tells them that they will be in the midst of wolves.  He wants them to know who they will face.  Christ says to his disciples,  "Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves."   He wants his disciples to appear as sheep to the enemy.  He wants them to be disguised as timid.  He wants them to appear as prey to the wolves that they will encounter in the villages and towns they will travel on their solo journey.

The lines are drawn and the battle is set.  The disciples have had their training and instructions on the enemy.  Christ knows that the evil one has taken over the towns and villages.  He knows that the enemy is well entrenched in the people.  And he knows the type of enemy that his disciples will face.  So he tells them how the battle will begin and how they will encounter the enemy.  A sheep is like dinner to wolves.  And to have one enter into their den is like heaven sent.  It's like the poor animal got lost and just wondered into their midst, onto their plate for dinner.  Seeing this the wolves will be watering at the mouth ready to tear the sheep apart.  But little do they know that beneath the wool of the sheep is a lion waiting to devour them, to scatter them, and put them to the test.

So Christ has given his disciples instructions on what to wear, what to take with them and what not to take.  He tells his disciples go barefoot into the den of the wolves.  They will not see them coming and they will not suspect the outcome.  He has told them that wherever they go, preach the kingdom of heaven.  To the wolves everyone who claims to be spiritual is no match for them.  For they have tricks to deal with the local priests and rabbis.  They know how to take care of that type of person.  They know what to do to turn them around.  They know that the local preacher has no power compared to what they have done to others in the past. 

So the wolves of the towns and villages see a rabbi coming.  They see a preacher coming.  They see a fool coming into their midst and they are laughing among themselves because they will be able to deal with this person.  Little do the wolves know that the disciples have the power of Christ with them.  Little do the wolves know that Christ has given them the power to cast out the wolves.  He has given them the power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cure the lame.  So they are in for a surprise.  Christ has given them the power to bring hope back to the people, which is what the wolves do not want to happen.

So, we see this battle beginning to unfold.  We see the tactics that will be used by the disciples and we come to know the ravenous behavior of the enemy that they will face.  Christ wants to give you power to face the enemy.  He wants to give us, the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lame.  He wants to prepare you to be a warrior for him, to fight today's enemy.  The task is not easy.  The reward is great and the victory is yours.  Come, gather up the words of Christ and make them your stronghold.  Feed upon his power and prepare for battle with the wolves of today who would steal, kill, and destroy the children of the kingdom.  Are you ready to join the team of the elite?  Are you ready to accept your orders for battle in the army of Christ???  Come!!!   Join the team!!!

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 15, The Instructions

Our paragraph topic is:  (Instructions to the Twelve) Part 7.  

Christ is finishing up his instructions to his disciples.  After giving individual instructions he now has a general huddle to show his disciples what the game plan will be.  Just as a general huddles with his captains and majors to discuss the overall plan of attack, so Christ tells his disciples what will happen.  After they have gone through the villages and towns and spread the news of the kingdom of heaven, he shows them the results. 

For those towns that have not availed themselves of the the message of love and hope, Christ has instructed his disciples to kick the dust from their feet.  He has instructed his disciples to mark the towns that did not repent.  He has given specific orders to set the mark for the coming destruction for that village or town.  Just as an advance recon team marks an area for the coming fighter jets to lay down a path of destruction, Christ has done so with his disciples.  He then tells his disciples of the coming destruction that will take place.  He tells them that for those towns that do not accept the words of the disciples, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for these towns.  For Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone poured down from heaven.  But for these towns, they will see a worse punishment than what was given to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Christ is the Lord of the Battle.  He is the commander-in-chief.  The disciples are his generals who are practising for the battle to come.  In this solo journey by the disciples, Christ gives them a taste of what is to come.  He has prepared them with proper training.  He has given them the challenge call.  He has shown them how to find the one that is worthy and how to determine the spiritual wellness of a house or a town or a village.  Kick the dust from your feet, he instructed them.  Lay down a marker for the destruction of the wicked ones.  The angel of destruction will come forth and destroy the towns and villages that are marked for destruction. 

This is our wake up call today.  Christ is giving us the opportunity to open our eyes and see.  He is giving us the opportunity to hear the message of hope, the message of love, and the message peace.  It is given freely to freely accept.  The choice is yours.  Know that the decision has consequences.  Know that for those who are blessed with new life and the joy of the Holy Spirit, they will be saved.  But for those who are cursed with the spirit of evil, the devil will continue to keep them blind and deaf.  No one can make them see.  No one can make them hear.  The desire has to come from the heart.  Christ will listen.  Christ will wait.  Christ will be patient up to the last minute.  But our heavenly Father decides the day and time.  And when that time comes, all will know who is Lord and Master.  All will know who is the commander-in-chief.  Take heed today.  Heed the call.  Come join the ranks of those who are saved before the battle begins.  Will you suffer a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah in the time of judgment?  Or will you rejoice in the grace and glory of God and of Jesus Christ?  The choice is yours.
   

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 14, The Instructions

Our paragraph topic is: (Instructions to the Twelve) Part 6.

Christ continues with his instructions to his disciples.  He has already told them how to find the one that is worthy in a village or town.  He has given them a challenge call to determine who is worthy, who claims to be worthy, and also to bring forth the demons who would stop this call to worthiness.  In part 5, we talked about the call for peace when a disciple enters a home.  If the peace that is given when saying, “Peace be upon this house,” comes back to the disciple then the house is not worthy.  But if the peace remains in the house then the disciple is to stay there until he leaves. 

Christ now instructs his disciples how to deal with those who do not accept them or listen to their words.  He tells his disciples,  And whoever does not receive you or listen to your words–go forth outside the house or town, and shake off the dust from your feet.   These instructions are instructions of condemnation for the house or village or town that does not heed the words of the disciples.  Christ has given the disciples a weapon to deal with those who will not accept the message of the kingdom of heaven.  He has given the disciples a marker to place in the villages and towns.  The disciples were the advance recon team that warned the people of the coming of the kingdom of heaven.  They were the to give notice to the people to change their ways.  And for those who did not, for those who heeded the ways of the devil, they were to be marked for destruction. 

Kick the dust off your feet.  Leave behind the marker of destruction.  Give fair warning.  But also give love to those who will listen.  Freely give what you have freely received.  Let them know that the kingdom of heaven is at hand and all they have to do is seek it.  All they have to do is reach out to it.  All they had to do is accept the word that was being brought to them by the disciples.  For the demons will be working their magic in the villages and towns.  They have made their strongholds within the villages and towns of the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  They were in power.  But Christ, has given the disciples the power to battle for the people.  Christ has given them training and instructions of warfare.  And he sent them forward on their solo journey to do battle.

Christ knew the outcome of the battles that the disciples would face.  He knew the obstacles that would be thrown in their way.  He knew the tricks and traps that the demons would play.  So he gave his disciples weapons and instruments also.  We too are in a spiritual battle today.  We too fight against the forces of darkness.  We are in the world but the world should not be in us.  We live in the realm of darkness.  We work in the environs of evil.  We play in the playgrounds of the forces that would destroy us physically and drag us to hell spiritually. 

Just like Christ gave his disciples instructions then, those same instructions apply today.  Shake off the dust from the towns that you enter.  Shake off the dust from the clubs, the bars, the restaurants, etc, that are dens of evil.  Shake off the dust from the homes, and parties, and lust gatherings, and spring breaks, and all manner of evil events that are not worthy.  Deliver the message of love and peace to the gentiles and the lost.  But do not tarry, least you are caught up in the traps and snares of evil.  Rest in the place of safety.  Seek renewal in the house of the Lord.  Strengthen your soul in the Holy  Spirit and let him be your guide in everyday life.  Renew your spirit daily through prayer and fasting and walk in the spirit of the Lord.  Are you ready to do battle?  Are you equipped with the weapons of war given by Christ?  Come!!  Train with the master that you may be successful in the world.