When we want to be really hospitable we not only have to receive strangers but also confront them by an unambiguous presence, not hiding ourselves behind neutrality but showing our ideas, opinions and life style clearly and distinctly. No real dialogue is possible between somebody and a nobody. We can enter into communication with the other only when our own life, choices, attitudes and viewpoints offer the boundaries that challenge strangers to become aware of their own position and to explore it critically.

Henri Nouwen

Our rejection of vulnerability often stems from our associating it with dark emotions like fear, shame, grief, sadness, and disappointment—emotions that we don’t want to discuss, even when they profoundly affect the way we live, love, work, and even lead.

What most of us fail to understand and what took me a decade of research to learn is that vulnerability is also the cradle of the emotions and experiences that we crave. Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.

Brown, Brené. Daring Greatly (pp. 33-34). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Being vulnerable is the only way to have genuine relationship, but it also requires allowing people to push against you and even reject you.

Jesus is intentionally sending us in vulnerablity.

The wisdom called for from the disciples will involve anticipating danger and avoiding it wherever possible, but not in such a way as to undercut their mission priorities. The innocence called for will involve a consistent integrity that is prepared to suffer rather than compromise and which is careful to give no grounds for legitimate legal objection to the action of the disciples.
- New International Greek Testament Commentary

Jesus encourages you to "Be on your guard."

While he is specifically talking about what will happen to the 12 disciples, he is making it clear that all of us who trust him will find opposition.

While we must stand firm in our faith, it is ok to retreat to safety from people who are antagonistic.

Ultimately we know that the Son of Man is coming, and the battle is his and not ours.

Part of us wants to avoid vulnerability but when we do we avoid life.

Numbing vulnerability is especially debilitating because it doesn’t just deaden the pain of our difficult experiences; numbing vulnerability also dulls our experiences of love, joy, belonging, creativity, and empathy. We can’t selectively numb emotion. Numb the dark and you numb the light.

Brené Brown

Small Group Questions:

1) Have someone read the Henri Nouwen quote. Who have been the people in your life that have been an "unambiguous presence" that challenged you to become aware of your own choices, attitudes and viewpoints?

2) Have someone read the Brené Brown quote about vulnerability. Do you agree with her? Who are the people you are most able to be vulnerable with?

3) Talk about the onion skin diagram. Does it help you see anything for yourself or others? Who are people you know who seem to come from the "real self" as opposed to the Phoney or Negative self?

4) How do you feel that Jesus seems to be intentionally inviting us to go into the world as vulnerable sheep? Have there been times when you have seen the power of vulnerability in relationships? Talk about it.

5) Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will turn up and give you what you need in the moment of difficulty and persecution. Have you experienced that?

6) What have you been left with through engaging with this part of Matthew 10?