⁵These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel."

                                                   Matthew 10:5, 6

When Jesus sent his disciples to make disciples, he gave specific instructions about who to minister to and who not to minister to. For some reason He wanted them to avoid the Gentiles and Samaritans and focus on the lost sheep of Israel.

Why would Jesus instruct His disciples to avoid ministering to specific people? Does He still give such instructions today?  What could possibly be wrong with talking to certain people about Jesus? Plenty! Remember the Magi? Because they spoke to the wrong people at the wrong time about Jesus, many lost their lives needlessly. 

The Magi were reputed to be wise men, but not this time. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking everyone, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt 2:2) When King Herod heard about a new king, he was “disturbed” enough to eventually order the death of all baby boys two years old and under in the Bethlehem area (Matt 2:16). If the Magi had used a bit of wisdom and restraint, lives could have been spared.

In the past twelve months people from our church have done mission work in Banda Aceh, Iran, Turkey, Laos, Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, and other “restricted” areas. In these and other places, talking about Jesus to the wrong person at the wrong time could be costly. Because of the sensitive nature of ministry in these areas, we give our missionaries the best in cross-cultural training possible. We also teach them as much as possible about the potential danger of talking to the wrong people at the wrong time. They must know what to say and what not to say, when to talk and when to keep silent, who to talk to and who to avoid. One wrong move, no matter the motive, could cost lives.

The proper response to potential danger is not to stay out of dangerous nations, but to go with the wisdom and instruction of the Lord.