10:11-13
We sometimes have the impression that we are to persist in witnessing or evangelising whatever the response we get, and there is some truth to this. However, here we see Jesus giving very practical and down to earth advice. When they visited a town once they found someone who welcomed them they were to stay there. They were to declare a blessing over that house. So they were not to flit about from one place to the next. We can perhaps draw a lesson about church membership here. Once we find a “deserving church” (to use the terminology of these verses) we are to stay there. A “deserving church” would be one that welcomes us and is true to the gospel. We will grow and God will achieve His purposes in us far better if we are settled than if we are constantly looking for somewhere better! There is no such thing as a perfect church, so stop looking for one.
10:14,15
We now get advice about what to do if we are not welcomed. There is no persistently banging our head against a brick wall. If they will not welcome us nor listen to us then we are to shake the dust off our feet. The person or town that rejects the gospel, rejects Jesus, will suffer great judgment. Again, notice that Jesus is not beating about the bush here, comparing that town’s fate to Sodom and Gomorrah. Now we do need to ensure they are not rejecting us because we are being obnoxious, but some will reject the gospel, will reject Jesus. We need to be utterly realistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment