Saturday 31st October

Shake the dust from your feet

by    0 responses

Acts 13:50-51

But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

Have you ever been to see a film and thought that it was so brilliant that you recommend it to all your friends?  It can be rather disappointing if some of them go, but tell you that actually they didn’t think it was all that good.  Maybe you’ve read a book and thought it was outstanding, and have then felt rather let down when a friend who read it on your recommendation thought it was poor.  It can be rather upsetting when you think that you’ve got something great to share with your friends, but they don’t share your excitement.

Despite the fact that he was followed by crowds everywhere he went, Jesus often had moments of disappointment, when people didn’t accept his good news.  The whole passage in our current Mark Marathon article is imbued with this disappointment when Jesus’ own neighbours reject him.  He also warns the disciples that they will encounter some people who will not listen to them or welcome them.  He tells them simply to move on, shaking the dust off their feet when they leave.

We see the same thing in today’s verses.  Paul and Barnabas have not had a particularly warm reception in Antioch, where they have been preaching and teaching.  Whilst many of the Gentiles who heard them were delighted to have heard the gospel, many of the prominent Jews in the city were not so keen.  They turned to the leaders of the city for support, and together stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and banned them from the city.  Were they concerned?  No, they simply shook the dust off their shoes and moved on.

Both in Jesus words, and the experiences of Paul and Barnabas, it is clear that there will be some who do not want to hear the gospel.  What should we do if people don’t want to listen to the gospel when we talk to them?  We shouldn’t be downcast.  Instead, we should walk away and turn to our next group of people.

Be prepared for lack of success when you talk to your friends about your faith, but don’t give up sharing the gospel.  Simply turn to someone else.

Leave a Reply

Allowed tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> <span style="">

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

Simon is a teacher, writer and preacher based in Kent in the United Kingdom. Simon enjoys sailing, and is a keen geocacher. Simon is married to Claire.

About Daily Readings

As part of our active lifestyle of prayer and Bible reading, we are currently reading a small section of the Bible together each day and sharing our responses to it with each other. We also publish a short devotional thought on a key verse or two from each day's passage to prompt prayer or reflection.

Current Series

Introducing Daily Readings

Full reading plan

Recent readings

Current Series   

15th Oct   Luke 9:57-10:12
14th Oct   Genesis 26
13th Oct   Genesis 24:61-25:34
12th Oct   Genesis 24:1-60
11th Oct   Genesis 23
10th Oct   Genesis 21:22-22:24
9th Oct   Genesis 20:1-21:21

Also on Crossring

Forums

The hub of our online community, where Christians and others from around the world can meet to discuss tricky issues, ask questions, and share fellowship.

Articles

Longer, more in depth articles encompassing Bible studies, testimonies, inspirational pieces of writing and more.