Dust or Peace?
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Our text is preceded by two events Jesus’ followers had in figuring out what it meant to be a person of faith. In one, James and John are smarting from an encounter with some critics and want to respond by calling down fire from heaven to consume them. In the other, some prospective disciples discover that following Jesus will be costly to them in how they live their lives. They decide to look elsewhere. These are pretty common reactions, actually. Most of us have secretly lusted for the power to hurl down fire on our tormenters. There have certainly been times in my life that if I had the power there would have been crispy critters littering the countryside. I get where James and John were coming from. And there is also nothing like having challenges to really thin the herd in a movement or organization. You can measure the depth of one’s faith by the ability to withstand the buffeting of challenge.
It was after these two experiences, according to Luke, that Jesus decides to send out the 72 with the strange instructions they received. They are to go out in pairs, take nothing to sustain themselves, but rely upon the gracious reception of those to whom they are sent. When they find hospitality, they offer peace. When they don’t find hospitality, they shake off the dust of the town from their feet. No fire from heaven. No “just deserts” for the nay-sayers. Just shake off the dust and leave.
The seventy were not sent out as conquerors but as “lambs in the midst of wolves.” They were to offer peace, healing, insight and graciousness. They were to accept with gratitude the generosity of those who offered them lodging and food. There was no provision for curse, rebuke or retribution if they were treated badly. Simply shaking the dust from their feet was a symbolic act that nothing bad the town had offered was going to stick to them. Even when rejected and rebuffed they were still to offer the possibility that God’s presence (realm) was near at hand and still possible for those resisting.
They were not to take rejection personally. That’s hard to do, isn’t it? At the Pride festival last weekend when that fundamentalist preacher was shouting across from our booth, it was clear to see how personally many people were taking it as they walked by. He didn’t know any of us from Adam and Steve, but his message was offensive to many on a personal level. Some were angry and tried to shout him down. Others made fun of him and took pictures in provocative poses. Some silently fumed that he would dare invade our safe space with his hateful message. They were taking his rejection personally. They were giving him a lot of power. Jesus tells us that when we find ourselves in those kinds of intense encounters to retain our power and our control. Shaking off the dust of our feet symbolizes that we retain the power to define ourselves and not give it away to some misguided proselytizer.
According to the story, when the disciples returned they were amazed at the difference they experienced. Not all of them had succeeded in communicating the hope and grace of the gospel. But all of them had succeeded in not letting their detractors determine their self-worth. Your worth is determined by God’s grace, nobody else has a say that matters.
You and I, like those seventy-two sent out before us, have only two things to share – peace or dust. That’s it. We’re not called to make people believe the way we do. We’re not sent to make them feel badly about themselves. We’re not here to tell other people how wrong they are in what they think or believe. We are here to offer peace – blessing our world with the generous grace that we ourselves have received. If others don’t want that peace, that’s their prerogative. We don’t retaliate. We don’t force them into conformity. We don’t hate them for being so stupid. We let it go. Shake off the dust. That’s as dramatic as you get to be. Now I know there is something in the gay gene that seems to demand a bit of drama so if you need to shake off the dust of your feet with flair, knock yourself out.
We are at a similar place in our history as those 72 disciples Jesus sent out that day. We are using the same strategy for building this community and sharing the love of God. Simply be intentional in how you live your life. Share peace. Receive hospitality graciously. Resist giving your power to others and if you have no other choice, shake off the dust from your feet when you walk away. What are some ways you could live that out this week? Maybe it is listening to a co-worker who is having a difficult time in life. Maybe it is doing an act of kindness for a neighbor. Maybe it is inviting someone to come to church with you so they experience being part of community. Certainly it is not letting anyone else have power to determine your value. We, too, are sent out each day to share our lives, our faith, our peace with the world. We don’t have to convince anyone of anything. That’s not your job. Let God’s Spirit do the inner work that needs to happen in the world. You and I simply are available to offer peace when someone crosses our path and needs it. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? But Jesus said that when the disciples did those simple things he saw Satan fall like lightning from the sky. In other words, evil, despair and hate can’t muster an offensive against the peace that passes understanding.
Sources:
www.homileticsonline.com Viral Church, July 2010.