PEOPLE ARE FREE TO REJECT THE GOSPEL
Luke 9:1-6
Luk 9:1 After Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them the ability and right to decide over all demons and to cure diseases,
Luk 9:2 and he sent them out so they could proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Luk 9:3 He told them, “Take nothing for your journey– no staff, no bag, no bread, no money; do not even take an extra tunic.
Luk 9:4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area.
Luk 9:5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
Luk 9:6 Then they left and travelled throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
rights and rejection
When Jesus sent the twelve on their missions expedition, he not only endowed them with the right to make a difference in people’s lives, he also warned them that some would also have the right to reject them and their message. In kingdom proclamation, the rights go both ways. Anyone daring to proclaim the kingdom of God must realise that people will be free to ignore them, no matter how much power is displayed in their presentation of the gospel. God will draw his own to himself, but those who want to live without him are “free” to do so.
LORD, give us confidence in your gospel, but perseverance to proclaim it even when it is rejected by some.
