Mission Multiplied | Matthew 10:1-15

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed
and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest
is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38

Jesus sent them with authority.

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his
Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father
loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works
than these, so that you will be amazed.
John 5:19-20

I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I
declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he had
been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted
up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own
authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He
has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was
saying these things, many believed in him.
John 8:26-30

Jesus sent them with power.

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons
and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to
heal.
Luke 9:1-2

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon
had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And
they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority
and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
Luke 4:35-36

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say
to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his
works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on
account of the works themselves.
John 14:10-11

When Jesus was living and ministering on earth, he was living and ministering as a true
man. Jesus as true God became true man. In that unique personage, he is both God
and man. When he was ministering on earth, though, he was ministering in the capacity
as man without falling back as a safety net on his attributes as God. He was showing us
what a human being living in right relationship with God can live like.
--Mike Riches

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and
greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you
ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me
anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

Jesus sent them with singleness of purpose.

The directions of not taking a staff, shoes, a money purse correspond to the Rabbinic
injunction not to enter the Temple precincts with staff, shoes and money girdle. Why?
To avoid even the appearance of being engaged on other business when the whole
being should be absorbed in the service of the Lord.
--Alfred Edersheim

Where to go in Mission (Israel, not the Gentiles)
What to do on Mission (Heralding and Healing)
How to do Mission (Simply, not Grandly)
With Whom to do Mission (The Receptive)
--Dale Bruner

The disciples needed to learn the principle that the worker is worth his keep and to shun
luxury while learning to rely on God’s Providence through the hospitality of those who
take them in overnight, thus obviating the need for a second cloak.
--Alfred Edersheim

And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your
feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on
the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Matthew 10:14-15