Matthew 10 – Take up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

This chapter contains instructions Jesus gave His twelve apostles before sending them out on a mission trip. They were to do essentially what He had been doing: proclaim the kingdom, heal the sick, and cast out demons. But, He warned them, you should not expect to be treated any better than Jesus himself was treated.

The twelve were to go out by faith. Not with an adequate bank account. Without a suitcase full of clothes and other ‘necessities’. Instead, they were to depend on the generosity of those they ministered to.

Be Ready for Rejection

Not everyone would accept them. Some would simply be indifferent. But others would abuse them. When you leave those towns, share the dust from your feet. This is a symbol of rejection. You are telling them that not even the dirt from their street is worth taking.

Jesus warned them that they would sometimes even be brought before the ruling authorities, essentially put on trial (Acts 4). And when that happens, they should trust that the Lord would give them the words to say (Acts 4:8-13).

Jesus also warned them that even those closest to them could well reject them and what they have to say. Even their own family. Don’t allow that to deter you. Anyone who puts family, or any other relationship, ahead of Jesus is not worthy of Him. Only when we take up our cross and follow Jesus will we be worthy of Him.

Jesus told them that He had come to bring a sword to the world rather than peace. We like to think that the Prince of Peace had come to bring peace. And He did bring peace between God and those who trust Him. But the other half of that equation is that it produces conflict with those who reject the Lord and His people. We should not be surprised when the world rejects us.