Corrective meaning of the text " Mathew 10:26-39"

[이노센트 목사]

영남신학대학교                                              

Innocent Sindi kubwabo                   

ID: 21961003. (PH. D)

Course: Mission theology of New Testament.

교수: 안 승 오 교수

2020.5.02

    THE CORRECTIVE MEANING OF THE TEXT ACCORDING TO MATHEW 10:26-39.

According to Mathew 10: 26-39 it’s introduction point Jesus given his disciples concerning to what experience in the mission field they would face, including: rejection, suffering, and death to some of them, and how they would manage the situation. This passage seems to be the second stage from the prior passage, from the starting of chapter ten, which was the directives of their evangelistic tasks and instructions focusing on practical aspects of mission journey (10:5-15).

Then the second would inquire the awareness of severe conditions, and it was the time of master and apprentices whereas learners inducted into a way of life by mimicking the mode of master’s life to the extent of having all equipment required.

Colin Yuckman said: the intensity the life of discipleship demands will require a parallel intensity in the bond we have in Jesus. The idea that mission can simply be tacked on to church life or to Christian “lifestyle” as a secondary trait does not line up with Jesus’s word here. To become an apostolic witness according to Jesus is to experience the intensity of a relationship in which the teacher is in a sense reproduced in the student.[1] The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose (C.S. Lewis)[2] Jesus himself expressed his vocation as not of Peace but a sword (V34), a sword is a weapon as a sign of divides and severs. According to quotations given by Got Questions Ministries on Jesus statement of sword, conferring to (Matthew 10:34–36).

Jesus said He had come at this time not to bring peace to the earth, but a sword, a weapon which divides and severs. A result of His visit to the earth, some children would be set against parents and a man’s enemies might be those within his own household.

This is because many who choose to follow Christ are hated by their family members. This may be part of the cost of discipleship, for love of family should not be greater than love for the Lord.[3]

Forthright promises of division, rejection, and suffering are paired with equally strong statements claiming every hair on our heads is counted and our lives, as fragile as they inevitably are, remain in God's hands.

The language (especially in verse 29) recalls the Sermon on the Mount (6:25-30). At the same time, the poles of loss and provision are inscribed in the final verse: "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (10:39; 16:25). Ultimately, such dramatically good news cannot help but be shared "in the light" and shouted "from the housetops" (10:27).

In light of the master-disciple relationship which Matthew has to this point emphasized to the reader, we cannot overlook verse 38: "whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

If those sent are going to reflect the life of the sender, then mission itself will be cruciform. We should not be prepared to share in the exaltation of Jesus if we are not ready to share in his humiliation.

Remarkably, this is the first time Matthew mentions "cross" in his Gospel, and it is not in direct reference to Jesus' crucifixion instead is a prerequisite to following Jesus. The fact that "cross" spoken here precedes crucifixion offers all sorts of potential for homiletical insight. Unless we in a sense take up our cross, we cannot begin to comprehend the way of Jesus Christ, who took up his cross for the sake of human sin.

According to Ecumenical view who compare the kingdom of God with a place exercises Justice, peace and integrity among creations, this image illustrating differences rather

Then what is the correct meaning of the text according to Mathew 10:26-39.

1.     From the beginning of the text (V. 26) Jesus illustrating the truth and authority of the gospel proclamation in different nations, languages, cultures, and faith.

2.     (27-33v) The point of the Lord’s method of teaching to the few chosen people, who should bear all knowledge and understanding the playground on their face a head, having full of boldness and power to stand from the top of the roofs, as their custom for information delivering to the publics, but this time proclaiming the good news to all, without fearing any kind of resistance against them, even the extend of losing life.

3.     34-39v. James. M. Arlandson pointed out to the one key element in this lengthy passage is the word "sword," and its meaning is now clear.

It indicates that following Jesus in his original Jewish society may not bring peace to a family, but may "split" it up, the precise function of a metaphorical sword. Are his disciples ready for that? This kind of spiritual sword invisibly severs a man from his father, and daughter from her mother, and so on (Micah 7:6).

Given Jesus’ own family resistance early on (they later came around), it is only natural he would say that no matter what the cost, one must follow him to the end, even if it means giving up one’s family. But this applies only if the family rejects the new convert, not if the family accepts him in his new faith; he must not reject them, because the whole point of Jesus’ advent is to win as many people to his side as possible, even if this divides the world in two, but never violently[4].

Conclusion

In concluding, we briefly learn the intention of the Lord of coming to this word introduced to his disciples, and to what level of courage and awareness the disciple should stand for the mission, with the knowledge of consistence divine power possibly may cost of losing life for the sake of Jesus Christ, and the ultimate rewards to these achievers (eternal life) after all.

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[1] Colin Yuckman, (Commentary on Matthew 10:24-39) June, 25,2017.

[2] C. S. Lewis, (Top 10 Comments on Church).

[3] Got Questions Ministries, 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd, #254, Colorado Springs, CO 80923, (What is the sword of the Spirit?)

[4] James. M. Arlandson, the article titled” Answering Islam”, (A Brief Explanation of the Sword in Matthew 10:34).