Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 7:1-19; Matthew 10:1-23 

“If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (Matthew 10:14) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. How often have you worried about someone you love who does not believe in Jesus? It happens all the time. Fathers worry about their children’s faith. You worry about your friends who do not love Jesus. I worry about people who have left the faith.

Stop that right now. If you have spoken the words of Christ to the people you love, then you have done enough. If you have forgiven your friends in the Name of Jesus, it is enough. If you have borne witness to Jesus Christ in your words and life, then it is enough.

We are not called to nag people into the kingdom of heaven, but rather to proclaim that it has come in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, I don’t know anyone who has successfully been nagged into the faith. You’re also not called to come up with new and fancy ways to argue people into the faith. That won’t work, either.

You’ve been called simply to tell the truth, which can be a difficult enough task in a world full of lies. But there’s a funny thing that happens when you tell the truth and speak of Christ. Truth always prevails over lies. Lies fall away. Clever tricks are shown to be empty. Eventually the one doing the nagging goes away. But the truth sticks.

If you tell the truth and speak of Christ, then you have nothing to worry about. If they reject these words, shake the dust from your feet and move on. They will not forget The Word of God has a way of taking root in the hearts and minds of people. Move on and stop being afraid. If they reject you, they are rejecting Christ. We’ve seen this before. He was rejected all the way to the Cross. He was denied and buried. Jesus is not worried, either. No, He is risen and His will is done. Do not be afraid. He is patient and wise. He knows what He is doing. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

If God Himself be for me, I may a host defy; for when I pray, before me my foes, confounded fly. If Christ, my head and master, befriend me from above, what foe or what disaster can drive me from His love? (“If God Himself Be For Me” LSB 724, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch