Jesus is still instructing the seventy-two laymen evangelists before they enter the Samarian mission field. They are to be attentive to the people’s reaction to the good news. If the town welcomes them they are to eat what is given them, heal the sick, and preach, “The kingdom of God is near you.” They are to practice what Jesus has taught and teach what Jesus has practiced.
Jesus tells the seventy-two (or seventy) that if the people of a town reject their message they are to give a non-violent visual display of the result of rejection. The town can keep its dirt because even the dirt will not be part of the kingdom of God. Even though the town rejects them, the disciples are to preach, “The kingdom of God is near.” Perhaps one or two will leave the town to walk with the disciples.
Jesus’ instruction continues with the theme of the outcome of those who reject or accept the message of the kingdom of God. The disciples are not to take the rejection personally. Jesus preached and performed many miracles in Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Many there did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. The citizens of these Jewish towns will find it worse on the day of Judgement than the gentile towns of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus visited those towns and did few miracles and many believed (Mark 3:8, 7:24-37).
As I dispense the message of Jesus and his kingdom Jesus says, “He who listens to me listens to Jesus; he who rejects me rejects Jesus; but he who rejects Jesus rejects him who sent Jesus.” I do not need to be apologetic or sentimental.
