Scripture: “You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”
Matthew 10:8b-15 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, the first of Jesus’ six-part outline of Jesus commissioning his twelve disciples is the goal: to restore people’s lives to a shalom well-being. Where the fall of humankind marred fellowship with God, Christ’s inauguration of the New Covenant redeems the ill effects of sin. So, like Jesus, his disciples will heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. As people witness these miraculous signs, the Twelve must proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, meaning it is near to them through the salvific work of the incarnate Son of God. Their target group is fellow Israelites. So Jesus tells them to stay away from all other ethnic groups (Gentiles and those who have intermarried with Gentiles, i.e., Samaritans).
Today’s reading comprises the five elements of Jesus’ code of conduct when entering and leaving targeted communities. Specifically, they must
- Labor without charge.
- Travel light.
- Rely on the hospitality of those who receive them in their homes.
- Express warm greetings and extend shalom peace to those worthy of receiving these blessings.
- Expediently recant their shalom blessings and renounce those homes and communities that reject their Gospel message (i.e., repent, the kingdom of God is near).
Jesus concludes his succinct and challenging instructions with the assurance that his disciples will rightly repudiate fellow Israelites who reject the Good News, for they have spurned their only means of forgiveness and salvation. Indeed, judgment will be worse for them than for Sodom and Gomorrah on judgment day because they have heard the Gospel from the lips of the Messiah’s messengers.
Takeaway: Jesus wants his apostles to grasp how divisive his kingdom is. Thus, when they proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near and ready to enter for those who repent of their sins and place wholehearted faith and trust in its King, many will dismiss the good news because it is scandalous: an affront to their wants and desires. Even some will feel threatened and respond with hostility and violence. We will delve deeper into this stark reality in tomorrow’s Daily Focus.
Our takeaway and part? As for the above checklist, Jesus’ first disciples and subsequent generations fared better when they followed his guidelines. And we will, too. First, those who earn wages as ambassadors of Christ must resist profiteering. Billy Graham set a prudent example by establishing a board of trustees that approved his salary, and any donations received above his wages would be directed to his evangelism association.
Second, we must travel light in our mission outreach. Whether in church or mission communities, the goal is to reach the lost, not to build kingdom campuses. And while we should fully integrate into communities, we must not become immovable. It’s painful when the Lord uproots us.
Third, hospitality is still central to sharing the Gospel in these ancient times. Whether the host or visitor, we must foster a sense of grace and peace that invites people to move toward us.
Fourth, we must discern when we have done all we can and move on when others are resistant. If we linger too long (often due to pride or fear of failure), it will not go well for them or us. So we give them to God, understanding that we have not failed but have done all we can to this point, and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead to others who may be receptive.
Fifth, in our post-resurrection era, while we need not recant blessings nor pass judgment on those who reject the Gospel, we would do well to continue praying for them: that they may come to the end of their resources and discover the joy of their salvation. And, of course, we pray that we will be ready to lean in again as the Holy Spirit leads.
In sum, it’s a Gospel fitness program that has been successful for two millennia!
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who incarnated the Good News of the Kingdom of God and granted us the privilege to proclaim it on his behalf. So, please help us follow the Holy Spirit’s lead in following Christ’s guidelines so that we might be fit for Gospel service to grow your kingdom and glorify your name. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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