Devotionals

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SHAKE OFF THE DUST

“I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
--Matthew 10:15 NIV

Scripture Passage: Matthew 10 :11-16

In this passage, Jesus was instructing the disciples for their travels among the people. It’s about weary travelers entering a strange town and seeking shelter.

Those who have accepted Christ have the peace of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Jesus told the disciples that if they were received warmly by anyone, they were to return that warmth and peace. He also warned they would not always be received warmly. In those cases, He told them not to let it bother them … “let your peace return to you.” (v.13) He also told them to “shake the dust off their feet” when they left that home or town. This was a reference back to their familiar Jewish traditions. The more haughty Jews would visibly shake the dust off their sandals when they left a Gentile town as an outward sign of their rejection of the Gentile practices. In the same way, Jesus was asking the disciples to visibly reject those who rejected the message of their Messiah. I believe Jesus hoped to plant the seed with those who rejected Him, that they were making a mistake and may not have a better opportunity to accept Christ.

In this truth, Jesus says it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for the town who rejected His disciples now. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities filled with all manner of evil practices in their day. They were destroyed by fire from heaven for their wickedness in Genesis 19.

So why would it be worse for a town that simply turned away some preachers than one that blatantly practiced gluttony, sexual immorality and had not even ten righteous men in it? The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was widely known among the people during the disciples’ time as evidence of the wrath of God on sinful men. Jesus was saying that Sodom and Gomorrah never had the opportunity to hear the good news of the nearness of the Messiah. These towns that rejected the disciples now, also rejected the one who sent them. While Sodom and Gomorrah rejected the authority and commands of God, these towns were rejecting God himself. That’s pretty much a one-way ticket to a judgment of guilty and its eternal consequences.

I love Jesus’ next statement: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (v.16) Sheep are very dumb animals in great need of a shepherd to even meet their basic needs. Wolves are predators and very cunning. They will use any means necessary to get what they want and ultimately devour their prey.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He guards us, provides for us, and guides us on our way. He was sending his sheep out among the wolves and urged them to be shrewd and watchful while maintaining the purity of their innocence.

In this passage, Jesus is telling us again that life as a follows of Christ is not always going to be easy. When I think of this passage and entering a strange town to seek a place of rest, I see more application in our lives than just traveling to a new town.

It certainly applies in its most literal sense in the case of a physical relocation. When we reach a new town, we seek out people and places that will receive us warmly and help to provide for our needs. We’re shrewd and innocent in our evaluation of neighbors, employers, stores, churches, etc. But I see other applications as well.

When we start a new job, we seek a place where we can be useful, valuable and appreciated. We seek out colleagues who share and/or compliment our interests, values, and skills. By the same token, we will choose to leave that employer that does not welcome us, or our contribution. We “shake the dust off our feet,” allow our peace to return to us, and seek a more deserving employer on which to rest our peace.

Our peace is ours alone. God freely gave it to us as a gift. It is OUR choice to give it away or hare it. Like the saying “people can only put your down if you allow them to,” it is our choice to allow others to take our peace away. As children of God, we have peace and the promises of God eternally.

Don’t ever allow anyone to take away your peace. You will be rejected in life – in your neighborhood, at work, in relationships. But God will deal justly with those who reject His children unjustly. Our peace remains with us in the grace and mercy of the one who gave it to us.

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