Matthew 10:34-42...The hardest rejection, the three requirements and the rewards from the receiving

 

You meet all kinds out on the trails in the RMNP!  This one was a friendly face I saw after snowshoeing from Coyote Trailhead to the Bowen/Baker Trailhead.  This one was a good turn around point.  Thank you to whoever took the time to create this smile maker.  The trail made by me behind our little friend was filling back in already from the wind whipping down the Kawuneeche Valley.

It was a great Sunday gathering to end Jesus' sermon in Matthew 10.  Here are my bullet points for the chapter.

• Jesus draws to Himself and names the 12 disciples. (at His feet)
• Jesus gives them the authority of being His apostles. (sent out ambassadors)
• Jesus gives them practical instructions for their mission. (where to go, who to speak to, what to say, where to stay, what to take and not take, etc.)
• Jesus tells them of 2 responses and what to do (receive you so stay, reject you so shake the dust from your feet and move on)
• Jesus spends more time on the rejection response.
• Jesus tells them of the 4 areas of resistance, rejection, or persecution fronts. (religious authorities, governing authorities, family, and all of society)
• Jesus commands them not to fear man (be in fright of, flee from) but fear God (be in awe and reverence of leading to obedience).
• Jesus zeros in on the hardest resistance, family.
• Jesus gives them the 3 requirements to follow Him. (supreme love of Him over all other human relationships, living out His salvation given to them every day (effect of carrying the cross) and loyal obedience to Him)
• Jesus ends with going back to those who receive the messenger and message and what those who assist would receive. (prophet, righteous man, disciple)

This last part captured me this time.  When I first went through the Gospel of Matthew it was at the Gaylord Family Fellowship Church in Gaylord, MI.  It was over 15 years ago, I think.  I recorded all the messages on CD's prior to having a YouTube channel.  I think I would have remembered this point because I think this is something I will refer to in the future. 

The main point is that God will reward or bless those who assist His ambassadors whether prophet, righteous man or disciple.  A prophet was one who spoke the very words of God directly from Him at times and had a more national impact upon the tribes of Israel.  A righteous man was one who studied and taught the very words of God from the scrolls and had a more community impact.  He was probably a synagogue ruler or rabbi that was very much revered and loved.  A disciple was one who sat at the feet of the rabbi.  He was a learner and followed around the one who was doing the teaching orally and by example.  His impact was more one on one with someone else.  The person is receiving them (prophet, righteous man, or disciple) as an ambassador of God and God's words from them.  If they receive them then they receive Christ and also God who sent Christ for them. 

It is hard not to see the hierarchy in this illustration from prophet to righteous man to disciple.   You can see it from national impact to community impact to one on one impact.  I couldn't help but relate this to different types of churches that God uses.

The disciples would probably not have described themselves as prophets, "thus saith the Lord" types.  The disciples would probably not have described themselves as righteous men for they were not of the Sanhedrin or synagogue rulers or rabbis.  They would have described themselves as just those who are sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus.  They were a rag tag group of men from common areas of life that Jesus had said to them, "follow Me."

I think you could say there are some churches used by God to be of the prophet type.  They have a more national impact.  They have a platform that stretches beyond the boundaries of their county.  I don't believe I have ever been a part of one these types of churches.

I think you could say there are some churches used by God to be of the righteous man type.  They have a more community impact.  They are churches who have generations attending them.  They have a deep bench of spiritual leaders.  They have long standing traditions and they are thought of when someone mentions church in their county.  I have been a part of a few churches I would put in this category.  

I think you could say there are some churches used by God to be of the disciple type.  They are made up of those who don't have a rich deep church history.  They are people pulled together sitting at the feet of Jesus through His words and maybe hearing some of those words for the very first time.  They might not even be known to be gathering in the county and most of the awareness of them is one on one communication.  I have been a part of a few churches I would put in this category.

Stillwater, I think, is in this last category.  I think the people of Stillwater would put themselves there also when given these descriptions.  God has pulled together a rag tag group of people from all walks of life to gather for His words each week.  We are not known widely in our community but one by one people enter through the church building doors to meet the church body that assembles there.  

What is tremendous to experience is to see the "cup of cold water" that comes in to assist this type of ministry.  Some of those cups have come from you, the readers of this blog for the past 14 years.  At just the right time an assistance (a cup) comes that allows Stillwater to take another step for God or we have taken the step and we see God provide what is needed.  Those cups are so important to those on the mission fields all over the world that would describe themselves in the disciple category.  

So a huge thank you for the cups sent our way over the years.  Those cups come in many forms.  Sometimes its financial; sometimes its your very presence (we love visits); sometimes its a note of encouragement; and sometimes it's the unending prayers for us.  

I am daily challenged to think of what cup of cold water I could give today to someone who is sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Adam