Jesus wanted His disciples to persevere in persecution. He also sent them with authority in the Kingdom of God. Luke 10: 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day. [1]
Healing the sick was a sign of God’s Kingdom, as only God could heal. Jesus healed and gave His disciples the authority to do the same. Most people of the time assumed that Messiah’s Kingdom would rid them of Roman oppression and bring political peace to the nation. However, Jesus brought a Kingdom that began in people’s hearts. When someone was willing to allow Jesus to be King over their lives, God’s Kingdom came to them.
A Warning of Unbelief
Jesus gave His disciples a heads-up on how some people would react. Even when they preached the Gospel and did miracles of healing, some would refuse to welcome them. God was pursuing the people through the disciples, but they would miss the Kingdom because of their refusal. When the disciples shook the dust of the town from their feet, they demonstrated that the town had chosen their fate.
A town’s rejection of the disciples’ message wouldn’t change the message. God’s Kingdom had come near to them through the work of the disciples. These disciples were to persevere and continue preaching the Gospel message. The message’s urgency doesn’t change in the face of resistance. They were to remain steadfast even when the mission was difficult.
Rejection Has Consequences
We find the story of Sodom in Genesis 19. God destroyed this city because of its great wickedness. Even today, the city’s name remains a symbol of evil and immorality. God judged this city on earth, and its inhabitants will also come before God on judgment day. Yet, Jesus tells us that it will be better for Sodomites than those who refuse to welcome Jesus’ disciples.
Why would it be worse for the cities that refused the Gospel of Jesus? Unlike Sodom, God had given these people the opportunity to believe in Messiah. The disciples had performed miracles of healing, yet these people still refused to believe. Because they had turned away and refused salvation, their punishment would be more severe.
This is a warning for us. One day our life will end here on earth, but we are eternal beings. We are to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation and preach it to others. Just as there was a battle for souls in Jesus’ day, the struggle continues today. We must persevere in persecution. Our message doesn’t change even if others refuse to listen. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/sent-out-2-x-2
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 10:8–12). Tyndale House Publishers.