Sent Out Like Sheep
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. Matthew 10:14 · Berean Standard Bible
If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that place.
Jesus is protecting you from carrying the weight of rejection. Do your part, and if they refuse, move on.
Jesus, teaching how to handle rejection.
You're not responsible for how people respond. You're only responsible for faithfully delivering the message.
For those who reject the message, the disciples are to ektinassein (shake off) the dust from their feet upon departing, a symbolic act of separation and testimony.
Jews shook dust from their feet when leaving Gentile territory; performing this act within Israel dramatically declares rejection of those who reject the gospel.
Jesus, prescribing the response to rejection.
This symbolic act releases the disciples from responsibility for those who reject the message, while serving as a prophetic warning.
12As you enter the home, greet its occupants.
13If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Read all of Matthew 10 — Jesus hands his authority to twelve ordinary men and sends them into a hostile world. The mission briefing is searingly honest.
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