5 – 6 The Field of Operation: we have a specific field of operation and Jesus doesn’t send us out on the big stuff until training us on the small.
7 The Message: we are to say what Jesus said: the kingdom of God is at hand. The message is as different as each individual but the content is the same: God’s plan of salvation for fallen humanity. It’s communicated through words but just as powerfully through a redeemed character.
The Return (vs 8 – 10) We are not in a business venture – we should travel light with little preparation.
The Support Network (vs 11 – 13)
“Worthy” here means whoever is willing to support and follow. The disciples were to ask “peace” to the house (Luke 10:15). If the message of the gospel was received, then the blessing of eternal peace would indeed fall upon them. But if they rejected it, then the peace would not come, instead would come judgment.
The willing people of the towns became the support network for the disciples. No one acting as an ambassador for Christ can operate without one. For us, our support could well be our church home, our small fellowship group or trusted friends.
The Reaction (vs 14 – 15)
So what do we expect when we set foot on foreign soil of this age? The truth is not everyone will accept the truth. Some will—and isn’t that wonderful! But others will scoff and reject your life and your witness. We should expect it, but shouldn’t let it deter us.
The idea of shaking the dust off of your feet was very symbolic and meaningful. Jews would shake the dust off of their sandals when they left Gentile territory to signify their separateness from their ways. To shake off the dust from a Jewish town meant that there was now a new distinction—no longer Jew and Gentile, but disciple of Jesus and those who rejected Him. John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
So next Jesus goes into a more detail about what to expect and how to act when acting as His ambassadors.
16 – 25
The Conduct (vs 16)
To those familiar with raising sheep this would seem ludicrous. Sheep are helpless against wolves. In fact, Jesus came like a helpless lamb and allowed the wolves to devour Him. By laying down His life He upended the plan of the enemy.
Jesus knows we are entering enemy territory where the enemy doesn’t play fair, so He gives His disciples two types of weapons—discernment and distinctiveness. A snake does not use its eyes as a primary sensory device but an infrared heat sensor which can “see” prey that eyes cannot detect. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit as an aid to know where to go and where not, what to say and what not.
By the same token, He tells us to be innocent as doves. The word “innocent” means “unmixed.” Don’t get caught up in the values of the people you are sent to preach to. And also have integrity in the mission—it isn’t to promote us, but Jesus.
And remember, the reactions we get from can be from (1) the enemy we know, and (2) the enemy we don’t know:
The Result Part 1 Those you don’t know (vs 17 – 20)
The disciples could expect a fierce negative reaction from both political rulers as well as synagogue rulers (“courts” and “synagogues”). Flogging was done with a leather whip, sometimes even in the synagogue itself. Being an ambassador in enemy territory can have a steep price, but the result is a “witness.”
Here the Holy Spirit acts as defense attorney, providing what is needed as a defense. We may not experience this kind of persecution but we may certainly encounter those who stiffly oppose the gospel. “Do not be anxious” in those situations, Jesus says—I’ll speak through you.
It’s one thing to experience persecution from an expected source, but what about from someone you know and love?
The Result Part 2 Those you do know (vs 18 – 22)
It’s sad but true, that Jewish families would be torn apart for the gospel. Sometimes this sort of pain is worse than from outside of your circle. Jesus says the one who endures to the end will be saved. This doesn’t mean that if you become discouraged you will lose your salvation. It means that someone who is truly a disciple will not let anything deter them from their Savior—that Jesus really is first, even if that means you receive hate and rejection from your own family.
So what do you do?
The Next Steps (vs 23)
Jesus wants us to cling to Him no matter what, but if the cause is lost, don’t be foolhardy. The old saying goes “discretion is the better part of valor.” Know when it’s time to move on. It’s okay if no one listens or responds. The response by the Jews would be so against Jesus that the communication of the gospel to them won’t be complete until Jesus Himself returns. At that time Israel will turn to Jesus as their Messiah!
The Reality of the call (vs 24 – 25)
In reality we are simply waking in the sandals of Jesus. If they called Jesus Satan, they will not stop from calling you names as well—bigot, narrow minded, full of hate—and worse.
All of this talk of persecution, no matter how minor, could make anyone think twice about making themselves available. But Jesus says not to fear because the message of the gospel is truth and no matter how much the enemy or people try to squelch it or you, the truth will come out in the open.
26 – 33
People we can see are scary, especially when they want to harm us for standing for Jesus. The reality is that we have a much bigger enemy to fear—God against the human still in their sinful state. What’s the worst they can do to you? Kill you? That’s just graduation.
And know that God is good in every bad situation. Know that nothing can separate you from His love. Know that He knows the evil that may befall you, but it’s worth it. Saving even one soul is worth it—after all, Jesus would have given His life if you were the only person who ever lived.
The heart of the message and the heart of the truth is that it all comes down to whether you knew Jesus and whether He knew you. The only thing that cannot be forgiven is rejecting the only way of getting us out of this mess—the blood of Jesus shed to wash away our sin and guilt.
34 – 39
People love to quote Luke “Peace on earth, good will towards men” and think that God just wants us all to get along. The truth, though, is that the gospel brings peace with God but not always peace with others.
It’s a harsh reality but one we must each deal with. Who is god in your life? If it is more important to keep peace than get saved then you have made your choice and you have not trusted and relied on Jesus. Taking up your cross and following would not have made sense to these people as in the post-crucifixion. But they knew what it meant—dangerous criminals and political enemies of Rome were required to carry or “take up” the means of their own execution. When we “take up” the cross we carry the message of the gospel in our lives no matter the consequences to us personally. It’s an all or nothing proposition.
Being worthy doesn’t mean earning a place in God’s kingdom; it means the willingness to lay it all down to follow Him. Faith isn’t a belief system; it is trust and reliance on Jesus. That’s why He says you have to be willing to lose your life to find it. It may actually mean laying down your physical life—but that is less common today. It certainly does mean you can’t hope to find life by the things of this age—the relationships, values, and rewards.
It’s a tough decision but one worthy of serious consideration. We can cling to what we have here which is temporary and give up on the life that lasts. Or we can let go trying to find satisfaction by the stuff here and cling to real life and real satisfaction that lasts forever.
40 – 42
So what is your reaction to the gospel? That’s what Jesus is talking about here in this last paragraph. As we communicate the gospel with our lives, it is the attitude of the receiver that determines whether they will respond. So you can see clues in people—are they openly hostile, okay, take a hint, but if by their small actions and words they seem open, then you can go with that. What’s the reward? Salvation! And at the very least, you can fall back and lob the big artillery: prayer!
Conclusions
I’m reminded of the words of God to Joshua, as he was about to set foot into enemy territory:
Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Go told Joshua that he was on God’s mission, that He would be with them just as He was with Moses, to keep to the mission, keep to His Word and realize His promises are sure!
1 Peter 3:1-5 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives— 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
Titus 3:3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
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