What does Matthew 10:6 reveal about Jesus' mission focus? Key Verse “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:6) Setting the Scene - Jesus is commissioning the Twelve (Matthew 10:1-5). - He gives them power over demons and disease, then defines their initial assignment. - The instruction follows a clear limitation: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” (Matthew 10:5) What the Phrase “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel” Means - “Lost” points to spiritual estrangement—Israel’s need for repentance and restoration (Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6). - “Sheep” evokes covenant imagery; Israel is God’s flock (Psalm 95:7; Ezekiel 34:11-16). - “House of Israel” specifies the ethnic descendants of Jacob—the covenant people. Why Jesus Narrowed the Mission at This Stage • Fulfillment of Covenant Promises - God pledged that Messiah would come first to Israel (Genesis 12:3; 2 Samuel 7:12-16). - Prophets foretold a shepherd-king who would gather Israel’s scattered sheep (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Micah 5:2-4). • Validation of Messianic Credentials - Signs among Israel verified Jesus as the promised Christ (Matthew 11:4-5). - Israel’s Scriptures required that the gospel be “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16). • Preparation for a Global Mission - Israel was to become a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). - Once the message was offered to Israel, it would move outward (Acts 1:8; Acts 13:46-47). The Progressive Expansion in the Gospels 1. Matthew 10:6 – focus on Israel. 2. Matthew 15:24 – Jesus affirms, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” yet He mercifully helps a Gentile woman, hinting at future inclusion. 3. Matthew 28:19 – the risen Christ commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Implications for Today’s Believers - God’s redemptive plan unfolds in deliberate stages; He keeps His covenant word. - The faithfulness shown to Israel assures believers of God’s faithfulness to all His promises. - Evangelism still carries an ordered urgency—begin where God places you, then widen the circle. - The phrase “lost sheep” reminds the church to pursue those who once knew the truth yet have strayed. Summary Matthew 10:6 reveals that Jesus’ immediate mission targeted Israel’s wandering flock, honoring God’s covenant commitments, authenticating His messianic identity, and setting the stage for the gospel’s eventual reach to every nation. |
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