Blessing and judgment
‘Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you, heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, “The Kingdom of God has come near you.” But whenever you go into a town and are not welcomed, go out in the streets and say, “Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But remember that the Kingdom of God has come near you!”’ (verses 8-11)
Read Luke 10:1-17
What wafts out of the piggery is for the farmer the sweet smell of money, but for the visitor from the city it’s just a stench. The farmer smiles while strolling the aisles between the pens of pigs. The visitor walks quickly, with a hanky to the nose and mouth, breathing as little as possible.
For some, the presence of Christ in his people as they show love to others is a welcome, healing experience; for others he just gets their backs up. Christ, and those who come in his name, are welcomed by some, rejected by others. According to the reaction of those it comes to, the kingdom of God can be a blessing or it can be a curse.
The reaction of people to Jesus is not controlled by those who proclaim him in word or deed. It is not the way of Christ to force himself on people. He comes through us. He speaks. He loves and heals. He remains where he is welcomed, and blessing is there. He leaves where he is not welcomed, and his departure falls like a curse. In either case, be encouraged to continue. It is all as he said it would be.
Lord, I pray for the people I come to in your name, that through you I will be a blessing to them and not a curse. Where people receive you, strengthen them. Where they reject you, please forgive them. Amen.
by Aub Podlich, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)
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