Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 NLT
Before sending out the Twelve two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons, Jesus gave them extensive instructions.
The Gospel of Matthew gives us the most complete detail on these instructions, while the Gospels of Mark and Luke provide an abbreviated list.
Each of the Gospels gives a little detail on what they were to take, and not take, on their mission trip.
He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.”
Mark 6:8-9 NLT
Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.”
Luke 9:3 NLT
Besides this, the other instruction recorded in all three Gospels, and it is a curious one, is how to handle rejection when you go with the gospel.
If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”
Matthew 10:14 NLT
But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.””
Mark 6:11 NLT
And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.””
Luke 9:5 NLT
Shake the dust from your feet. It’s a fascinating phrase. I’m sure it had cultural significance to the Twelve that it does not have to us. Symbolically though, we are told that this action was a sign that their rejection had consequences. The Twelve were not to dwell on the rejection. They were to take comfort in knowing that they had done their part, and they were to keep moving forward, looking for those who would be receptive to their message.
Since this was Jesus’ instruction before sending out the Twelve, and it was significant enough that it was recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, I have to ask myself a few important questions.
Am I prepared for rejection?
Am I anticipating rejection?
Am I putting myself in situations where I am risking rejection?
As I disciple others, am I warning them of and preparing them for rejection?
What does “shaking the dust from my feet” look like for me?
I hate rejection. I think someone would have to be a pretty unique (or crazy) person to welcome, or seek out, or actually like rejection. But Jesus wasn’t telling the Twelve to seek rejection or to like it. He was telling them to be prepared for it. He was telling them not to avoid it.
If doing or saying the right thing, if walking in obedience, if walking in love, means that I might risk rejection, then I can’t shy away from that.
I must prepare myself.
I must prepare others.
Rejection is a reality.
Jesus faced it.
He says I will too.
This blogpost originally appeared at: Is This Key Piece Missing from Our Preparation? – Sonlife is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 33
Knowing Him has companion videos with our global leaders shot on location in Israel. Click here to watch the video that accompanies this blogpost