Within the text of Mathew 10:1-4 is hidden a most mysterious and fear inspiring warning to all who read it carefully. Look closely at the words. “And when He had called his twelve disciples to him, he gave them the power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve disciples are 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 Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot , who also betrayed him.”
Did you notice Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus, was among them? Scripture says he had power to cast out demons and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Yet in the end he betrayed Christ, then hung himself out of guilt.
This passage reminds me of Mathew 7:22-23 when Jesus says to those who cast out demons and performed miracles, “I never knew you. Get away from me you evil doers.” If miracles, signs and wonders are not an indication that the person is righteous, what is? Jesus tells us only those who obey his word are his people (Mathew 7:21).
