Shake the Dust Off Our Feet

Devo: Mark 6:7-13
“…and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” V. 7
Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them out to do the things that He did. He said a similar thing to them in the gospel of John.
“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
Unbelievers often question our authority to do the things that Jesus did because we are merely humans. However, it says in verse 7 that He gave His disciples power over unclean spirits. Jesus sent them out to do outreaches and things that are similar to what Jesus did.
People who believe in God and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, are automatically His disciples. As His disciples, they are called to do the things that He did: preach His Word, heal the sick, and cast out demons.
“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff–no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts–but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.” Vv. 8-9
We might wonder why Jesus did not let them bring anything for their journey. However, it would be difficult for them to go from one place to another if they carried a lot of things. If they brought with them food, clothes, and everything they need to sustain them, they wouldn’t rely on God anymore. Jesus wanted them to learn to depend on Him for everything.
“If the preacher doesn’t trust God, how can he tell others to trust Him?” enduringword.com
“Also He said to them, ‘In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.” Vv. 10-11a
Jesus said that if people do not receive us or accept the message that we bring about God, we should leave. What does “shaking off the dust under our feet” mean? I read in enduringword.com that in that time, Jewish people who went to or through a Gentile city had to shake the dust off their feet when they leave.
“It was a gesture that said, ‘We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.’ Essentially, Jesus told them to regard a Jewish city that rejects their message as if it were a Gentile city.” enduringword.com
We cannot change people’s minds. We can only present to them the Word of God. It is up to them to receive or reject God’s message from His Word, the Bible.
“Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” V. 11b
Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and severely punished by God for their sins and unrepentance. I cannot imagine what would happen to those who reject the Word of God. There will be a Judgment Day and everyone will receive according to our decisions on earth.
“The implication is that some will be judged more severely than others in the day of judgment. Of course, none will have it good in hell; but perhaps some will have it worse than others will.” enduringword.com
“So they went out and preached that people should repent.” V. 12
They preached the Word of God so people could repent.
“And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” V. 13
As the disciples stepped out in faith, God empowered them to do the things that Jesus did.