Friends Church Sermons

Chapter 10 marks a major shift in Matthews gospel. Up to this point Jesus has been on His own teaching the people. He has gathered followers who have become disciples (Hebrew = Talmid “wise student”, Greek = Mathetes “one learning under the instruction of a master”). To this point Matthew indicates that Jesus disciples have taken the role of student as they have watched, listened, and learned in the school of Beth Midrash. In verse 1-2 something very important happens. Jesus summons His disciples (students) and He gave them authority (this is of vital importance). Matthew describes it as authority to over the demonic world, over disease and sickness. But this authority goes deeper and would have been better understood in the context in which it is written. The word authority is the Greek word Exousia and it means “the power to act”. In the Rabbinic tradition there is a concept that is very important for disciples and it is known as S’mikhah. It is the laying on of hands. The New Testament is full of examples