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Matthew 10:11-15
Jesus continues His instructions for His newly appointed apostles as He prepares them to go out into the world of the house of Israel and preach the gospel. Jesus wants to make sure that His apostles do not force themselves upon those in which they are going to share the gospel. He instructs them that if they are welcomed into a house, they are to let their blessing in Christ Jesus rest upon that household. But if they are refused/not welcome in a household that they may come to, they are to, “shake off the dust from your feet” as they leave (Matthew 10:14, NKJV). Jesus teaches us, “it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city” (Matthew 10:15)!
This is a command to share the gospel with all who are willing to listen.
This is a promise that an undesirable judgment will come on all who refuse the gospel message.
This is an example of the first missionaries for Christ Jesus.
An interesting fact about the Jews that live in the “Promised Land” is that whenever they would travel outside the Promised Land, upon returning, they would stop at the border and clean/dust themselves and all their possessions. This is because they believed that even the dirt of any land outside of the Promised Land was “unclean” and thus would defile anything that it is left on as they returned to their “clean” land and homes. For Jesus to instruct His apostles to “shake off the dust from your feet” as they leave a house or city that refuses to accept the message of the gospel of Christ Jesus which is, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17) would have been an indirect message to the unbelieving Jews against their own tradition of pronouncing, in this case, themselves as “unclean.” Jesus does not force Himself into our hearts, but through His great love for us, He will ask through the spreading of the gospel; it is then our decision to accept or deny entry of His Holy Spirit into our lives. Choose Christ Jesus and live a new forgiven life of seeking God’s will for your life.
Dear LORD,
We are all called to share the gospel through our lives in doing our part to help the kingdom of heaven grow. As You speak to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit in asking us to open our hearts to a new life in Christ Jesus, please help us to hear the gospel message and accept life eternal…and share it with others so that they too may join in the gift You offer us – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.