Matthew: "As You Go, Preach This Message..."

The Lord’s witness must not waste time. He must discern as quickly as possible who is worthy and receptive. The greeting of the day was "Peace be unto you." The apostles were to use the greeting as the basis of their message. They were to expand it. Their message was to be peace—peace with God and the peace of God.

If the people rejected the apostles, the apostles were to leave. The Lord’s messenger and witness could expect to be rejected by some. When rejected, the messenger was to do two things: he was to leave the house or city. He was to shake the dust off his feet. This was to be a symbol that they had lost their opportunity, their wickedness was so detestable that it polluted the very ground upon which their house or city sat, and that God would reject them even as they had rejected Him.

CONCLUSION

We need to observe that some do reject. They reject two things. The messenger himself, and the messenger’s words. Also worthy of note is the fact that whole cities reject the gospel, not just some households. When rejected, the messenger is not to argue or force the gospel upon the person. Christ expects His messenger to leave. Note the words: "When ye depart."

Rejectors were to be judged. Rejection of God’s messenger and of the gospel condemns a person to a terrible fate. The person’s judgment is to be more severe than even the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrha. Why? Because the person rejects God’s very own Son. Sodom and Gomorrha never had the opportunity to hear God’s Son. Our responsibility is much greater because our privilege to hear God’s Son is much greater.

MARANATHA / JD

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