June 21, 2026
"How We Go": Part 2 - Matthew 10:21-42

Why does Jesus give so much emphasis to the resistance and rejection his disciples should expect?  What was Jesus asking them to do, that people would find so threatening?  Why does he reference Micah?  What would his disciples understand from that reference?

Consider that the people Jesus is sending them to are not a pagan empire with other strange gods and brutal customs.  He's talking about their own people; who worship the same God, who know the scriptures and keep the commandments, and follow the same traditions and holidays - they are the people of God.  Why would they react like that?  What's so threatening?

Is there something about the way Jesus is asking them to behave "as they go", that will cause this reaction in some people?

For this Sunday... read Matthew 10:21-42

Going deeper... read all of Matthew 10.  If you were one of Jesus' disciples how would you feel about his instructions, as you go out for the first time on your own, to do this work?

Going deeper still... Jesus quotes a pretty dark reference from Micah 7:6 in this passage.  

Read Micah 7 and reflect on the darkness of the warning contrasted with the hopefulness of the conclusion.  Does that affect how you understand the warning Jesus is giving his disciples? (Or read all of Micah and see if that affects your understanding of Jesus' mission instructions)