Preaching Leads are ideas for preaching on a particular text in the Bible. Today’s text is Matthew 10:1-15. I share both general techniques as well as specific applications.

Today’s scripture is about Jesus sending out the 12 disciples to “proclaim the good news.” It is a rich scene with several opportunities for preaching.

Scripture Outline

• Jesus gives power to the 12
• The 12 are named and described
• Jesus gives instructions
• Jesus gives warnings

These Newfangled Powers

The first thing Jesus empowers his disciples to do is to cast out unclean spirits and cure diseases and sicknesses (Mt. 10:1). A preacher could stay busy exploring what it means to have an unclean spirit. You could talk through healing as a basic human need and the Christian’s and/or Church’s role in it. Finally, you can take the ‘negative,’ and explore all the powers not listed here: If you’re building a kingdom, why not give authority over rival kingdoms? Why not power over other natural forces? What if the whole gang started walking on water? Some of these may be ridiculous, but the ‘negative’ approach may have some creative possibilities for the preacher.

Technique: Study the Context

Generally, I make sure I know the preceding chapter, the things that lead up to this point in the narrative. I also review the following chapter. In this case, I see that the warnings that Jesus gives in verse 15 continue in verses 16 and beyond. Sometimes the Lectionary will divide a scene in two. In this case, the scene is actually the whole chapter which I am choosing to address in two parts.

Technique: Know Who’s Who and What’s What

Knowing the references in a passage can unlock a lot of meaning. This is where your Bible dictionary, Biblical atlas and the cross-references come in very handy.

In this passage, the 12 disciples are listed. Some of these are well known: Peter, Thomas, etc. Others are rather obscure. Who’s Thaddaeus again? A good Bible dictionary will help you know what becomes of each of them. It may be information that you won’t need. It may also be information that you’ll save for another sermon. Most of the time, your studies will produce more information than you can use. That’s a better problem than not having enough.

Simon Peter and his brother Andrew; James and John, the Sons of Zebedee

I often think of Peter as a solo character. I rarely remember that his brother was with him throughout. James and John are often listed together. Still, I have rarely considered that Jesus called brothers to serve together. The preaching opportunity here is to witness to the fact that brothers were watching each other do ministry. When Peter stumbled and failed, how did that impact Andrew? In what ways did they appreciate their newfound power to cast out demons? For the preacher: in what ways do you share a faith with your family? In what ways might you have parted ways? And for parents: Can you help us understand Zebedee? What is it like to see your sons and daughters go off into dangerous ministry?

Thomas

Technique: Allow the character the courtesy of the moment.

Nowadays, Thomas is known for his doubting. We also know that Thomas made some bold statements of solidarity with the Lord. He seems to be a fiery character. What does it mean to be receive power with the zeal to use it? This is where the preacher ought to use some discipline: use what you know to illuminate the personality of the character. But also allow the character the courtesy of the moment. Thomas’ doubting comes much later in the story (and in another gospel altogether). For now, Jesus entrusts him with power to heal and the wisdom to navigate the mission ahead. What would it mean for Jesus to trust you with his mission? In what ways are you excited by the mission of Jesus? In what ways are you frightened by it?

Matthew

Matthew is identified as a tax collector. In fact, his conversion his illuminated in the previous chapter with a simple invitation to follow (Mt. 9:9), followed by dinner scene and confrontation with the Pharisees (Mt. 9:10-13). What does it mean that Jesus wanted to include such a figure in his 12? What does it mean that Jesus entrusts someone once known for their deception? There is opportunity here to preach about the costs and benefits of redemption.

Simon the Cananaean

Who? Also known as Simon the Zealot. Honestly, his Wikipedia entry is rather fascinating. I’m not sure what to do with it for this passage, but it’s just good to collect information. At the very least, the gang of 12 was a motley bunch.

Judas Iscariot

Identified here as “the one who betrayed him” (Mt. 10:4). The moniker is a foreshadowing. And of course, these accounts were written well after they occurred, so Judas’ eventuality is known to the author. The rule for Thomas applies to Judas: allow Judas to be trusted by Jesus in this moment. what does it mean that Jesus gave power and authority to Judas?

Summary

Each character contains their own perspective. The imaginative preacher, armed with enough information and integrity, can use each of these perspectives to illuminate Jesus’ commissioning. Perhaps the preacher is feeling alone in their ministry. Perhaps you are feeling zealous like Simon. Perhaps you’re wondering what kind of power you have. These characters offer the opportunity to see the commissioning from a new angle.

Technique: Where are You in the Story?

A sermon is not a lecture; it is a testimony. It is your witness to how this passage lives in your soul and life. So a preacher must enter the story. Initially, we are a third party looking down from above. You can enter the text by imagining the perspective of someone in the story. This text gives us several opportunities for such an exploration.

The Mission

The mission given to the disciples provides the preacher many avenues of exploration.

• Where to go
  • Jesus gives clear instructions to go to Jewish areas only. He also specifies them as “the lost sheep of Israel.” What does it mean that the lost ones are the ones within the chosen people? How might today’s Christians actually be the lost ones? There’s probably a sermon in there. The preacher might opine about being lost in their own faith.
• What to say
  • Jesus gives a base proclamation: “The Kingdom of God has come near.” The creative preacher can explore the ways in which the Kingdom of God is still near. Or you can explore why it may feel far away.
• What to do
  • Jesus’ instructions include a list of expectations for Jesus’ disciples: “Cure the sick, raise the dead. cleanse the lepers, cast out the demons” (Mt. 10:8) are like the opening verses: focused on healing and care for the broken. This is a common theme throughout the gospel. The informed preacher can explore how this theme develops. The creative preacher can also talk about healing as a concern for Jesus’ followers.
• What not to do
  • Jesus’ instructions include some prohibitions: “Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food” (Mt. 10:9-10). What is needed to proclaim the gospel? Fancy websites? Flashy videos? Or is there something necessary in the face-to-face encounter? Why does Jesus want the disciples to be so lean and needy? Is there something necessary in the followers of Jesus willfully climbing down the economic ladder? With churches so obsessed with money, this feature of Jesus’ commission deserves a deep dive.

Warnings, Pt 1

With all of these opportunities, perhaps the richest section is verses 11-15.

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Even the word “worthy” can become a focal point for exploration. What does it mean to be worthy? There are Psalms on this. There are prophecies about this. What does the text itself reveal? The ideas of peace and hospitality were building blocks of civil society. What is Jesus looking for with this particular instruction? The preacher can explore their own stories of peaceful hospitality. And the negative possibilities here are poignant, as Jesus “goes there” on what happens when peaceful hospitality is denied. What should the bringer of good news do when no one wants to hear their message?

One can explore the issue of shaking the dust off one’s feet. It seems that Jesus predicts failure. Is there a gift in there? And the image of shaking dust is quite the contrast from actual Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus doesn’t so much pronounce judgement as promise it. The contrast of future punishment versus present perseverance is an interesting juxtaposition of issues. While God gets to be angry at inhospitable people, the evangelists themselves move on more quietly. What does this mean? Perhaps the bringer-of-good-news needs to not be hampered by negativity? Perhaps anger at failure can stifle future victories? Perhaps focusing on the message is more important than the recipients?

The creative preacher has many options here. You can explore times of failure in your own vocation, sharing how a failure led to a victory. You can share about the subtle judgement of shaking dust, when our propensity is toward screaming demonstrations of outrage. The creative preacher can talk about hospitality as a way to entertain angels (taking the negative of a negative).

As the chapter continues, the warnings intensify. Check the context for yourself. Next week, we’ll look at those warnings.

Conclusion

Matthew 10 is a rich chapter. It is its own discourse on the purpose and nature of Christian discipleship. The Christian faith is not about grandiose pronouncements of judgement. It is not about accumulation of wealth. It is about sharing a message of healing and peace to a weary and battered world. The messenger’s integrity is his/her own best tool for success. Perhaps in our modern world, where our houses overflow with unnecessary stuff, walking simply in the world proclaiming peace is still the necessary mission for the people of Christ.