JESUS COMMAND TO DISCIPLE THE POOR
There is no specific command to make disciples of the poor. They are included in Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations, tribes, and peoples (Matthew 28:19). It so happens that the world has more poor, common folk than it has privileged elite.
Through his miracles Jesus showed that he had the power to shake off the curse that came upon mankind through the sin of Adam. Through his death and resurrection, he received kingdom power and authority (Matthew 28:18), and that kingdom is expanding throughout the world through his witnesses. At his return, at the last judgment, he will defeat the last enemy death, cast out the evil one, and vindicate his holy, believing followers. Those believers—poor, rejected, persecuted and killed for his sake—will be vindicated and reign with him forever. (Revelation 6:9-11; 20:11-22:5).
Included in this expansive vision of the Kingdom of Christ is his mission to proclaim good news to the poor, literally to evangelize, bring the gospel to the poor. Every human being is poor and needy, dead in trespasses and sin, estranged from the fellowship of God, but Christ through his shed blood paid the price of forgiveness so that out of shear grace anyone can come near to God through faith in Christ. At this level, the rich have no advantage over the poor. All are sinners and all have access to this salvation by grace through faith. In Ephesians 2:1-22. Paul takes pains to show that even the heritage and obedience to the Law by the Jews gave them no advantage over Gentile believers. Because of Christ, they all have equal access to salvation and fellowship withthe people of God. This is the good news that Christ and his church proclaims to the poor.
In his parable of the great banquet, Jesus tells of a certain man (God) who prepared a great banquet (salvation) and invited many guests (His people, the children of Abraham), “Come, for everything is now ready” (the Savior has come), but they all began to make excuses. Upon hearing this, the man sent his servant to “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” In other words, those despised and overlooked are being welcomed to share the riches of the banquet. Because there was still room, the master told his servant, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, that my house will be full” (Luke 14:15-23). In this way Jesus was opening the door for the mission to the Gentiles and their inclusion into the people of God and the riches of salvation.
The Apostle Paul describes those who accepted Christ in the church at Corinth,
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Even slaves were baptized and belonged to the church and were expected to live exemplary lives for the sake of Christ (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Corinthians 7:20-23; Titus 2:9-10). James writes that the believer in humble circumstances should “take pride in his high position” (James 1:9) as someone chosen by God to share in the riches of glory.
JESUS’ INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE DISCIPLES
When Jesus began his ministry, he said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent and believe the good news” Mark 1:15). In the region of Galilee “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:35-36). In these circumstances, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2)).
Answering his own prayer, Jesus chose twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). He sent them (“apostle” means “sent one”) to be engaged in the same ministry to the same people, to the “lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). Jesus commanded them, “And as you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not get any gold, or silver, or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his keep” (Matthew 10:7-10). In essence, Jesus was telling his disciples to follow his example, to do what he did. Jesus did not take money with him but lived from the support of those who received his message. He was telling his disciples to go out and do the same.
Not long after this, Jesus appointed seventy-two others to go ahead of him to every place where he intended to go (Luke 10:1). How did Jesus recruit all of these volunteers? Certainly, some of them were cured or freed from demonic oppression. Others were simply called to follow him.
This principle was combined with the principle of bringing the gospel to the listener freely, without any charge. What the evangelist was required to do was to give graciously even as he had received graciously. In Philippi the Apostle Paul and Silas received lodging and support from Lydia (Acts 16:15) and the other believers. The Philippian church continued to provide support even after the evangelists were driven out of the city (Philippians 4:14-18). When they ran out of financial resources, Paul supported himself and his companions by making tents and by joining himself to the tent makers Aquila and his wife Priscilla. He did not make use of his right for support as a preacher of the gospel, but provided his preaching and leadership as a free gift to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:18). Whether paid or not, Paul was compelled to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). He had received his commission from Christ (Acts 26:16-18) and he would discharge it whether supported financially or not.
Jesus, first of all, gave freely of what he had received. He had divine power to heal and give life. No one could make him do this out of obligation. He did these things out of a heart of compassion and love. The only thing that he desired was that people, especially the religious leaders, recognize him for who he truly was: The Messiah.
It may have seemed that Jesus was even discouraging people from following him. He warned them to count the cost: they must be willing to give up everything in order to become a disciple (Luke 14:33). They would be rejected and persecuted by both religious and civil authorities, even by father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters. They might even lose their lives. The organization Open Doors in its “World Watch List 2019” clearly points out that those especially vulnerable to persecution in Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist countries are converts. Even one’s very life must be relegated to second place while Christ must have precedence (Luke 14:26). “Do you want to follow me?” Jesus asks. Just remember that I don’t have a place that I can call my own. “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).
What do we learn from Jesus instructions?
- Go to where the common people lived, in the towns and villages (Matthew 9:35). In a time when a family could cultivate two or three acres, rural areas were densely populated and villages were within convenient walking distance. With the industrialization of agriculture today rural areas are being depopulated. Urban areas are where people, mostly common people, now live.
- Minister to those “harassed and helpless” (Matthew 9:36), like lower-income urban workers today in trailer courts, inner cities, or blighted neighborhoods, or to ghettos formed by race or ethnic immigrants.
- Proclaim the good news, heal the sick and cast out demons (Matthew 9:35; 10:1, 7, 8). This includes calling people to repentance. This does not need to be updated since human nature is the same and people’s afflictions are similar.
- Depend on your hearers for their hospitality and support (Matthew 10:11), but don’t use this for personal gain (Matthew 10:8), like Simon Magus of Samaria, who wanted to buy the gift (miraculous power) of the Holy Spirit with money (Acts 8:20-21), and was rightly condemned.
- Expect rejection and persecution, even as Jesus was rejected and persecuted (Matthew 10:16-25). If you follow Jesus to the down-and-out also expect rejection by fellow church members. You won’t be affirming their complacency or excuses.
- Do not be afraid. Be bold and courageous. The Holy Spirit will help us speak what we ought (Matthew 10:20). Fear Christ, not people. Our heavenly Father will care for you (Matthew 10:28-33).