August 8, 2016
GOT HATERS? SHAKE THE DUST OFF YOUR SANDALS.
Luke 9:1–9
Melissa Davis
Central Truth
Jesus reminds us that, when we share our faith with others, we may encounter rejection. But when we are rejected, we do not stop. We continue sharing the gospel because our time on earth is short, and the kingdom of God is near.
Key Verse | Luke 9:5–6
"And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:5-6)
Luke 9:1–9
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 1 9:3 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.
Dive Deeper | Luke 9:1–9
Fear. Fear is what hinders us from spreading the gospel to our co-workers, friends, and neighbors. If you are anything like me—a people pleaser—you don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers. There are many times I choose not to share my faith with others because I fear their reaction. I fear that they would scoff at me or think that my thoughts are not worth merit. I am afraid that I will have “haters.” According to the Urban Dictionary, a hater is someone who “cannot be happy for someone else’s success.”
The apostles were very successful in sharing the gospel, but they encountered many haters. They were stoned, put in jail, and run out of town. Even Jesus was rejected (Luke 4:16-30). But Jesus prepared the apostles in how to deal with these haters before they went on their way. He tells them to shake even the dust from their sandals to show that they will have no more to do with the haters (Luke 9:5-6). Not even the dust from their streets. It gives importance to their job. Their job was not to make friends but to share the gospel because the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matthew 4:17) Jesus and the apostles had a sense of urgency that I don’t have because I am clouded with fear. I need to quit wasting the time that God has given me on this earth and do my job. Our job is to “[g]o into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) We have nothing to fear because we have a Father who loves us so much that He sent his Son—a perfect example for us—to die on a cross for our sins. Remember to keep going and keep sharing your faith with people you meet. And when you encounter haters along the way, think of Jesus' words and “shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
Discussion Questions
1. What might you encounter that would hinder you from sharing your faith with someone you meet?
2. What steps will you take to combat the things hindering you from sharing the gospel?
3. Can you tell your testimony in under three minutes? Take a few minutes to work on shortening your testimony so you can quickly share how God has changed your life.