The Son of Man: Mission, Judgment, and Mercy

Devotional

Day 1: Snowshoe Plans and Kingdom Trails

The journey begins with intentional preparation. Just as checking maps and weather ensures safe snowshoeing, Jesus equipped His disciples with authority over disease and demons before sending them out. Their mission demanded both practical readiness and spiritual dependence. God’s kingdom advances not through human ingenuity but through Christ’s power entrusted to His people. Every step requires trusting the One who charts the path. [25:19]

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you relied on your own plans instead of leaning into Christ’s authority? How might embracing His equipping change your approach to today’s challenges?

Day 2: Sheep Among Wolves, Serpents Among Doves

Mission requires paradoxical courage. Jesus sent disciples into hostility as vulnerable sheep yet told them to mimic the shrewdness of snakes. They carried no extra supplies, depending entirely on God’s provision through others. This tension—unflinching realism about danger paired with childlike trust—defines kingdom work. True safety lies not in avoidance but in obedience. [30:48]

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16, ESV)

Reflection: When have you avoided speaking truth to protect comfort? How can you cultivate both wisdom and boldness in your relationships this week?

Day 3: The Son of Man on Our Heels

Jesus’ puzzling promise—“you won’t finish before I come”—anchors hope. Whether through judgment on Jerusalem’s temple or His final return, Christ’s presence punctuates history. He intercepts our efforts, not to rebuke but to redeem. Like a man cradling an exhausted dog, He carries us when missions weary us. The Shepherd never abandons His flock. [41:49]

When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: What weariness makes you doubt Christ’s nearness? How might His pursuit of you reshape your sense of spiritual urgency?

Day 4: Proprietary Blends and Narrow Gates

Modern spirituality mixes beliefs like a custom vitamin regimen, but Christ’s claim remains exclusive. The disciples faced rejection for declaring salvation only in Jesus; we face accusations of intolerance. Yet the narrow gate—though unpopular—leads to life. Our call isn’t to broaden truth but to deepen love as we hold fast to it. [39:02]

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Where does cultural pressure tempt you to dilute Christ’s uniqueness? How can you affirm both His exclusivity and His inclusive invitation today?

Day 5: Denials, Dogs, and Second Chances

Peter’s failure didn’t disqualify him—Jesus restored him with grilled fish and grace. Like the snowshoer who stumbles yet keeps trekking, we’re carried by mercy. Our past sins become platforms for proclaiming redemption. Mission flows not from our perfection but Christ’s persistent forgiveness. [47:10]

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15, ESV)

Reflection: What failure silences your witness? How might Jesus’ question—“Do you love me?”—free you to serve again today?

Sermon Summary

Jesus gives instructions for a journey in Matthew chapter 10, and the journey is much more serious and joyful than snowshoeing with trail maps, weather reports, and the right boots. Jesus sends the 12 disciples into the towns and villages of Israel with real authority, authority over unclean spirits, disease, leprosy, and even death. God has entered human history in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ, and the disciples proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near at hand. Jesus calls people to repentance and faith, because life and righteousness are given through faith in Jesus Christ and none other.

Matthew 10 also makes clear that the journey will not be easy. Jesus sends the disciples as sheep amongst wolves, and the text does not pretend that mission is safe or sentimental. Opposition, persecution, torture, family betrayal, and even death stand in front of them. Jesus still tells them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, with sober realism about danger and a willing trust that Jesus will give the right words at the right time.

The hard word in Matthew 10:23 presses the question of what Jesus means when he says the Son of Man will come before the disciples have gone through all the towns of Israel. The Son of Man is Jesus himself, true God and true man, the Savior who uses that title because people misunderstood what the Messiah was meant to be. The coming of the Son of Man may be understood as Jesus coming in judgment upon Jerusalem, especially in the destruction of the temple in the year 70. That judgment was specific and terrible, a one of a kind judgment upon those who rejected Jesus and persecuted the messengers he sent.

Jesus' words then broaden to include the whole Christian church through all time. The church remains a church in mission, gathered around Jesus Christ, saved through his death and resurrection, and sent as salt, light, and a city on a hill. The world still says Jesus is one savior among many, and many people still build a “proprietary blend” of spiritual ideas and call it good. The Christian confession that salvation is found in no one else will still be called narrow minded and intolerant.

Jesus catches up with sinners, and no one can outrun his love. The Son of Man came to redeem, will come again in judgment, and comes now through word and sacrament to save and sustain faith. Peter’s denial shows that past sin does not get the final word. Jesus forgives, renews, and sets free fearful disciples to bear witness in word and deed to a world still in need.

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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus gives instructions for the journey. Jesus does not send his disciples out with vague encouragement or empty religious talk. Matthew 10 gives real instructions for a real mission, with authority, limits, dangers, and promises all named plainly. The Christian life is not improvisation without a map, but a journey under the word and command of Christ. [26:32]
2. Sheep among wolves need holy wisdom. Jesus does not hide the danger from his disciples, and that honesty is part of his mercy. “Wise as serpents and innocent as doves” means clear eyes without a hard heart, and trust without foolishness. Faith does not deny wolves, but faith also does not become wolf-like in order to survive. [30:48]
3. The Son of Man comes. Jesus’ coming is not only a future comfort, but also a reality of judgment in history. The destruction of Jerusalem shows that rejecting Christ and persecuting his messengers is not a light matter. The same Son of Man who saves also judges, and that truth gives weight to mission and urgency to faith. [35:15]
4. Jesus cannot be outrun. Jesus comes in search of sinners like the good shepherd who picks up the little one that cannot keep walking. His love is not merely waiting at the end of the trail, but comes through word and sacrament in the middle of weakness. The weary are not saved by keeping pace, but by the Savior who comes to redeem and carry. [40:42]
5. Forgiven witnesses are not bound. Peter’s denial was real, public, and shameful, but it did not define the rest of his life. Jesus’ forgiveness did not merely comfort Peter, it restored him for bold witness even at great cost. Past sin is not denied, excused, or romanticized, but in Christ it is no longer the master.

## [47:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:56] - Instructions for the Journey
[26:52] - Matthew 10 in the Big Picture
[28:44] - Sheep Among Wolves
[30:48] - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves
[32:13] - The Difficult Verse in Matthew 10
[34:17] - The Son of Man Comes in Judgment
[36:39] - The Church in Mission
[37:48] - A World of Many Saviors
[40:42] - Jesus Catches Up With Sinners
[42:19] - Christ Crucified, Risen, and Ascended
[43:13] - The Last Day and Final Judgment
[44:52] - Christ Present in Word and Sacrament
[46:31] - Peter Forgiven and Sent

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 10:21-23 (ESV)
21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Observation questions

What specific instructions does Jesus give the disciples about responding to persecution in Matthew 10:21-23?
How does Jesus describe the disciples’ role in the world using the metaphor of “sheep among wolves” ([28:44])?
What historical event does the sermon connect to Jesus’ statement about the Son of Man “coming” in judgment ([35:15])?
How does Peter’s story illustrate the relationship between past failure and renewed mission ([47:38])?

Interpretation questions

Why might Jesus use the contrasting imagery of “sheep among wolves” and “wise as serpents, innocent as doves” to describe the disciples’ mission ([30:48])?
How does the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 serve as both a specific judgment and a warning for all people?
What does it mean to balance “sober realism about danger” with “willing trust” in Jesus’ provision during difficult times ([31:10])?
Why does the world often reject the claim that salvation is found only in Jesus, and how does this relate to the disciples’ experience ([39:02])?

Application questions

Where do you see “wolves” (opposition, ridicule, or indifference to faith) in your daily life? How can you practice being both “wise” and “innocent” in those situations?
Jesus promises to give the right words at the right time ([31:35]). When have you felt unprepared to speak about your faith? How might trusting His promise change your approach?
The sermon warns against creating a “proprietary blend” of spirituality ([38:45]). What cultural pressures tempt you to downplay Jesus’ uniqueness? How can you guard against this?
Like Peter, many carry shame from past failures ([47:38]). What step could you take this week to embrace Jesus’ forgiveness and courageously share His love with someone?
How does Jesus’ presence “through word and sacrament” in ordinary life ([44:52]) encourage you when faith feels difficult or dangerous?

Sermon Clips

84s

“``To earthly eyes, our life might look like a life of suffering and a life of relative poverty. But to the eyes of faith, we realize that even in times of danger, we are truly blessed. Even in times of difficulty and great strife, we are nevertheless still cared for and empowered as witnesses through Jesus Christ to whom we bear witness and our sins are forgiven. Consider none other than the disciple Peter. You see, famously or rather infamously, he was afraid to bear witness to Jesus as Jesus was on trial. He denied knowing Jesus again and again. But then after Jesus' resurrection, Jesus reminded Peter and spoke words of forgiveness and love so that Peter could be empowered to proclaim the good news even though it would mean one day that this would result in the loss of his life. And so Peter went forth boldly to proclaim the good news from that point forward.”

69s

“does Jesus catch up with us? He sure does. We can never outrun his love. He came to seek and to save the lost, and he still is in search of us. On our journey, he comes to us. Kinda had a a good illustration of this on my run on Saturday. I was on the trail in Morgan Creek State Park and passing a lot of people there, but there was one gentleman that that had, like, the tiniest little dog. And on my way out, I saw the dog walking beside him, but then on the way back, he had picked up the little dog. It couldn't walk anymore, and he was cradling that tiny little dog lovingly in his arms. Right? So Jesus is our good shepherd. He goes in search of that one lost sheep and picks it up and takes care of us when we are in need.”

75s

“So Jesus is our good shepherd. He goes in search of that one lost sheep and picks it up and takes care of us when we are in need. You see, Jesus comes to us in our life through word and sacrament because first of all, the son of man came to redeem us. He, true God and true man, came to live among us and obeyed God's law perfectly for us and then took our place under God's wrath through in his death on the cross, Jesus paid for our sin and guilt. Then he further fulfilling the the Sabbath rested on Saturday in the tomb. And then on Sunday, Easter Sunday, he rose from the dead. Forty days later, he ascended into heaven and was enthroned at the father's right hand, meaning that he has all power and authority in order to prepare a place for us to be with him.”

78s

“Forty days later, he ascended into heaven and was enthroned at the father's right hand, meaning that he has all power and authority in order to prepare a place for us to be with him. And all all who believe in him as their redeemer can look forward to eternal life in heaven. Secondly, the son of man will indeed, on the last day, come in judgment. He will return the same way he ascended into heaven. He will gloriously appear in the clouds. Every eye will see him. And then in the resurrection on the last day, the dead will be raised. Those who are alive will be changed, and all will stand before Jesus. He will separate the nations, the sheep from the goats, and those who had faith in him have complete forgiveness and eternal life, will be declared righteous by our righteous judge. We have nothing to fear.”

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The Son of Man: Mission, Judgment, and Mercy

Devotional

Day 1: Snowshoe Plans and Kingdom Trails

Day 2: Sheep Among Wolves, Serpents Among Doves

Day 3: The Son of Man on Our Heels

Day 4: Proprietary Blends and Narrow Gates

Day 5: Denials, Dogs, and Second Chances

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

The Son of Man: Mission, Judgment, and Mercy

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