The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus Sends out the Twelve Apostles. Part 2.

⁸ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.” (Matthew 10:8–11 (ESV)

Jesus gave His Twelve Apostles specific instructions when He sent them out to the Jewish people. The task at hand is to examine those directives taken from today’s text.  

Heal the sick, Jesus gave the apostles the ability to presently and actively heal (θεραπεύω; therapeuo) individuals who were disabled and ill. In fact, He commanded they presently and actively do so.

Raise the dead. Like theprevious statement, Jesus issued a second command. This included those whose illness or disability resulted in their death. The word raise (ἐγείρω; egeiro) literally means to cause to stand up.

Cleanse lepers. A third present active command to cleanse (καθαρίζω; katharizo) meaning to heal and to purify. The word is used some 30 times in the New Testament with the idea of cleansing or to make clean.  A leper (λεπρός; lepros) refers to any kind of dead skin disease.

Cast out demons. Cast out (ἐκβάλλω; ekballo) is the fourth present, active command. It means to expel, to drive out, or to throw out. The apostles could now drive out evil spirits as Jesus had already done (Matt. 8:28-34).

“Jesus instructed the 12 disciples to minister to both the spiritual and the physical needs of the lost. Thus the apostles’ message (the kingdom of heaven) is the same as that of Jesus (3:2; 10:1), and their power is an extension of Jesus’ own power (“authority,” v. 1), enabling them to do the same works he has done,” explains one commentator.

The apostles were not to charge money to share the Gospel or for their miraculous service. Jesus gave the gift of the kingdom of heaven, and the apostles were to likewise freely share the Gospel.  

Jesus had freely given them this ability and authority. Therefore, Jesus commanded them to freely give these blessings. What a different perspective this is in comparison to today’s faith healers who say they will heal if only people financially give; and give generously.

Take the opportunity to freely share the Gospel of Jesus Christ today. May the Lord use us to be a blessing to those who hear.

Soli deo Gloria!