The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus sent out His disciples with instructions concerning God's Kingdom, and He told them, “into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, ...”, and in chapter ten and verse eleven of his book Luke shared how Jesus tells His disciples to tell the people of the rejecting city, “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you” where we read:
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you:
notwithstanding be you sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
The verse reads, “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you:” Luke began with the words, “even the very dust” or “also and indeed the raised and flying dust” “of your city” which means “belonging to the people's town, village and dwelling place”, “which cleaves on us” or “that glues, joins and fastens itself to Jesus' disciples”, “we do wipe off against you” which means “Jesus' disciples were to brush and wipe from their feet as a witness against the people”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed His disciples to clean their feet from the dust of the city who rejects them as a witness against the people there.
The verse goes on to say, “... notwithstanding be you sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Luke continued with the word, “notwithstanding” which means “moreover, nevertheless and albeit” “be you sure of this” or “Jesus' disciples were to be certain, understand, perceive and have knowledge”, “that the kingdom of God” which means “that God's rule, dominion, kingship and reign” “is come nigh unto you” or “has been brought near, approached and drawn close to the people within the city”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed His disciples to tell the people within the “city” they could be assured that God's Kingdom had “come near” to them.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the great loss of the people within the cities who reject and refuse God's Kingdom through His Son Jesus. The “Kingdom of God” was near them, and yet, they did not accept it. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and this is the reason He sent Jesus into the world. Because Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, everyone who is exposed to God's “good news” becomes responsible to “receive” or “reject” His “saving” grace. Those who receive Him will be forgiven of their sins, and those who refuse Him may know this, the “Kingdom of God” has “come near” them and the consequences will last forever.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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