Gospel of Matthew, chapters 10-11

Background:     

    In these chapters Jesus gives instructions to the Twelve and sends them out. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like a job one would desire, and if we are expected to be disciples (ones who  learn) or apostles (ones who are sent out), where would we start? Healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and casting out demons are not in the average America Christian’s wheelhouse. And he warns that it won’t be easy work– people won’t like what they have to say, they’ll have to rely on the hospitality of strangers to be fed and housed. And at the end of chapter 11, Jesus says this yoke is easy, the burden light! 

Some things to notice: 

• There are 12 disciples, matching the 12 Tribes of Israel 

• They are sent only to the Jews, not to Gentiles, yet 

• John is likened to Elijah, the prophet who was the forerunner of the Messiah. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind by God (2 Kings 2:1-12) and is still awaited, since he didn’t die. At a Passover Seder, an empty chair and place is set for Elijah, and the door is opened to check for his return. John now serves the role of announcing the arrival of the Messiah, in place of Elijah. 

    About Samaritans: Matthew mentions Samaritans only in this verse. The prohibition not to enter a Samaritan town would have restricted their travels to Galilee– they couldn’t get to Judah or Jerusalem without passing through the region called Samaria. Historically, the Samaritans are descended from the people of the Northern Tribes of Israel who were not deported by the Assyrians at the fall of Jerusalem. They remained in the same geography and preserved their religious practices, while the people we know as the Jews (in the New Testament and today) were in exile for centuries, and developed new customs and rituals in a new context. The animosity we see in the Bible between Jews and Samaritans is a fight about who does religion the right way, now that they’re in the same geography again. 

Key Themes:

• Following Jesus means trusting that HE knows what he and we are doing, even when we don’t. 
• When things are hard, we are not to give up, but move on: “Shake it off and move on, because someone needs to hear the good news!” 

Questions: 

• If we can’t be disciples who heal the sick and raise the dead, what does it mean for us to be faithful in our time and place? 

• Are there ways of being religious, even being Christian, that you think are “wrong”? Is it possible for us all to be Christian when faith takes such different shape among different traditions?