Stirring Up the Dust
“But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Luke 10:10
Jesus always knew, of course, what His disciples would face as they would follow His commands to “go (their) ways”. He said that He was sending them “forth as lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). That is a very descript analogy of Christians who live, work, and witness among a world of indifferent, stubborn, and even hostile fellow travelers along life’s journey. Jesus told Peter, James, John, and the other disciples to pack lightly and not to get distracted from their mission. Wherever they went, they were to go as humble peacemakers, not demanding special treatment, but accepting of whatever hospitality was offered. The disciples were to heal any who were sick, but the main reason for their visit was to spread the gospel. Jesus said that they were to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16), that is, to be discerning of the atmosphere of the home in which they visited in order to understand the needs of the people, but not critical or rebuking of their hosts’ lifestyles. Jesus desired for His disciples to influence unbelievers into an acceptance of the gospel and not to be “turned off” by a harsh and judgmental witness.
Jesus knew that there would be many who would not accept His disciples nor their witness. After a careful and honest attempt to bring a message of hope to those on whom they called, a rejection of their message was to be met by a loving, but stern warning. I take this to indicate that they were not to beg, cajole, entreat, nor demand a response from those who would not listen intently to the message of repentance and faith in Christ. The disciples, as we believers, are not responsible for nor capable of demanding someone to leave their sin behind and come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That is the task of the Holy Spirit. Our task is to simply tell them how Christ can make a difference in their lives like He did in ours.
Thus, this scenario brings us to ask the question: how long are we responsible for speaking about the gospel to those who keep rejecting our message? If they reject us and spurn the invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior over and over, is there some point at which we stop and, as Jesus instructed His disciples, “wipe the dust off our feet”? Would Jesus expect more from us than from His twelve disciples? The only answer that I can come up with is to stop trying to reason with the one who continues to reject the gospel, but continue to be friendly and caring and never stop praying for them. Who knows? Over time, when they see how you continue to live as a follower of Christ and have respected their desire to hear no more of your witness, they just might have a change of heart.
Even if we haven’t been able to crack that hard shell of pride in someone, no one is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit. In John 3:8, Jesus likened the Holy Spirit to the wind. He can come out of seemingly nowhere and take an unbeliever completely by surprise. My friend may not want to hear what I have to say, but he or she will not be able to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit. Yes, he or she can continue to reject the call of God, but it is dangerous to keep rejecting the gospel for the Holy Spirit might “wipe the dust off His feet”.