Bible Study Sunday | Sent, Not Settled

Following Jesus leads somewhere.

In Matthew 10:1–15, the disciples move from being learners at Jesus’ feet to being sent out into the world in His name. This passage marks a turning point in the Gospel of Matthew where calling becomes commissioning and faith begins to take action. As we continue our walk through Matthew, we are invited to consider what it means to be sent, to trust God’s provision, and to carry His peace into the world.

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”
Matthew 10:1–15 (ESV)

There comes a moment in the Gospel of Matthew when following Jesus shifts from watching to walking, from listening to being sent.

Matthew 10 is that moment.

Up to now, the disciples have mostly been observers—learning, witnessing healings, hearing teaching. But in this passage, Jesus does something decisive: He sends them out.

Called and Given Authority (vv. 1–4)

Jesus begins by calling the twelve by name.

This matters.

Before they are sent, they are known. Before they act, they are called. And before they go, they are given authority—authority over unclean spirits and the power to heal every disease and affliction.

Notice what Jesus does not do:

He does not wait until they fully understand everything.
He does not test their maturity.
He does not require perfection.

He calls them as they are—and then equips them for what He calls them to do.

Calling always precedes competence.

Sent with a Clear Focus (vv. 5–8)

Jesus gives them very specific instructions. For now, their mission field is limited: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles… but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

This isn’t exclusion forever—it’s focus for now.

God often gives us a specific assignment before a global one. Faithfulness in a narrow calling prepares us for broader obedience later.

Their message is simple:

“The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Not clever. Not complicated. Just true.

And their ministry reflects the kingdom they proclaim—healing, restoring, freeing, giving without charge. The power they carry is not theirs to monetize or control.

Freely received. Freely given.

Trusting God, Not Supplies (vv. 9–10)

Jesus instructs them to travel light—no extra money, no backup plan, no safety net.

This is not a universal command for all time, but it reveals a spiritual principle: dependence precedes provision.

They are forced to trust not in what they carry, but in the One who sends them.

God often strips away excess so that trust can take root.

Peace Offered, Not Forced (vv. 11–13)

The disciples are told to seek out worthy households and let their peace rest there.

Peace is something they carry—but it is not something they impose.

If peace is received, it remains.
If peace is rejected, it returns to them.

This is important for those of us who serve, lead, create, preach, write, or minister:

We are responsible for faithfulness, not outcomes.

Rejection Without Retaliation (vv. 14–15)

Jesus is realistic. Not everyone will listen. Not every door will open. And rejection will come.

The instruction is simple and sobering: shake the dust off your feet and move on.

No bitterness.
No argument.
No clinging to places God is calling you to leave.

Even rejection is not wasted when obedience is intact.

A Word for Us

Matthew 10 reminds us that discipleship is not passive.

To follow Jesus is eventually to be sent by Him.

You may not feel ready.
You may feel under-equipped.
You may be carrying more questions than confidence.

But if Jesus has called you, He has already given what you need for obedience today.

You are sent, not to be successful, but to be faithful. Not to control results, but to carry peace. Not to settle in comfort, but to walk in trust. And when the dust needs to be shaken off, you are free to keep walking.