Jesus’ plans progress, as he sends his disciples out ahead of him.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples
Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-4, Luke 9:1-2
His instructions to them
Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-11, Luke 9:3-5
The persecution of the disciples
Matthew 10:16-33
The cost and rewards of discipleship
Matthew 10:34-42, 11:1, Mark 6:12-13, Luke 9:6
Death of John the Baptist AD 27
Death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9
Quite abruptly the tone changes today. As Jesus prepares to send his disciples out to do the same things he has been doing, he warns them about how tough it will be. Up to now, things have felt pretty good to them. In the company of Jesus, it seemed nothing could go wrong. But out on their own, the are going to feel the full force of the opposition that he has attracted.
Why is Jesus so negative? Perhaps the recent death of John the Baptist is weighing on his mind. Mark tells us the story afterwards, as it were, introducing it by quoting Herod saying “I thought I’d killed John the Baptist, but he seems to be back.” There’s a new realisation in the air that Jesus’ mission has a hard edge to it. This time, God is not going to let people’s disobedience thwart his plans. He’s going to push through, no matter what the cost.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples
Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-4, Luke 9:1-2
His instructions to them
Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-11, Luke 9:3-5
The persecution of the disciples
Matthew 10:16-33
The cost and rewards of discipleship
Matthew 10:34-42, 11:1, Mark 6:12-13, Luke 9:6
Death of John the Baptist AD 27
Death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9
Quite abruptly the tone changes today. As Jesus prepares to send his disciples out to do the same things he has been doing, he warns them about how tough it will be. Up to now, things have felt pretty good to them. In the company of Jesus, it seemed nothing could go wrong. But out on their own, the are going to feel the full force of the opposition that he has attracted.
Why is Jesus so negative? Perhaps the recent death of John the Baptist is weighing on his mind. Mark tells us the story afterwards, as it were, introducing it by quoting Herod saying “I thought I’d killed John the Baptist, but he seems to be back.” There’s a new realisation in the air that Jesus’ mission has a hard edge to it. This time, God is not going to let people’s disobedience thwart his plans. He’s going to push through, no matter what the cost.
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