Luke 9:1-5 AMPC
Then Jesus called together the Twelve apostles and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, And He sent them out to announce and preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing. And He said to them, Do not take anything for your journey-neither walking stick, nor wallet [for a collection bag], nor food of any kind, nor money, and do not have two undergarments (tunics). And whatever house you enter, stay there until you go away [from that place]. And wherever they do not receive and accept and welcome you, when you leave that town shake off even the dust from your feet, as a testimony against them.
Yesterday we looked how Jesus responded to people who wanted Him to go away. He left them! "Simples" as the Meerkats would say!
Here, in this passage, Jesus has sent His disciples out to preach, teach and heal in the surrounding towns & villages.
He gave clear instructions of what they were to do and how to behave.
They were to shake the dust off their feet as they left those that didn't welcome them and the message of good news that they brought.
How many times have I left a situation with "dusty feet"... what I mean is, it's the most natural thing in the world to take rejection of Jesus' message personally, and drag it around on my feet like something nasty I stepped in!
Yet Jesus' strict instructions to His disciples and, to us too, was to move on.. go to someone who will listen and accept the message with joy.
There are so many people who will eagerly receive the message of salvation, why waste precious time in pleading with those who will never respond to Jesus?
It's draining on both the preacher and the disinterested hearer.
Don't be hurt or offended, but "shake the dust off your feet" and move on.
Especially, don't drag any remnant of rejection with you to taint your walk with Jesus or your witness for Him.
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