In sending out the twelve – Jesus makes “a whole bunch of assumptions” about the “character of his twelve students…”
His premise MAY BE “a little bit shaky…”
He “assumes” they will be as innocent as doves…
He “assumes” they will be like vulnerable sheep…
He “assumes” they will not be judgmental or hypocritical.
He “assumes” they will not “brow beat” people with the gospel.
He “assumes” they will all faithfully declare the good news and nothing more.
He is “assuming” if people do not like what it is – the disciples are saying – then, they will simply move on to the next village or to the next town.
That’s a whole lot of assumptions, if you ask me!
As his personal representatives they “will be” on their “best behavior”…at all times…and in all places…
He is “expecting them” to lead lives that will be consistent with the gospel of grace, peace and love.
They will embody “shalom.”
He is “expecting” that their very demeanor will mirror God’s love for all people.
He is “expecting” the purest proclamation of the gospel that is possible.
Again, that’s a whole lot of expectations that he is placing on these twelve ordinary every day men.
And yet he is “more than aware” – that there MAY be opposition.
What starts out as being “extremely upbeat” can turn “grim” in just a few sentences…
Resistance is to be expected…a dark cloud enters the scene.
They need to be prepared. They need to be ready. They need to expect anything and everything…
Despite all their “loving rhetoric” and their presumed “gentle demeanor,” the disciples MAY get slammed against a few walls along the way. They MAY get beat up, or become arrested, they may be falsely accused of spreading all kinds of malicious and false talk. They MAY even be run out of a town or two.
Despite carrying out a message of “pure love and acceptance”, they themselves may become the source of “hatred.”
Despite their “transparent witness to God,” they may be equated with all forms of evil, the “devil included.”
And their words MIGHT bring about the dissolution of families because of the disagreements that will swirl around Jesus and his “good news.”
So predicted, by Jesus – is possible hatred and rejection and even possibly persecution… Good luck, there boys!!!
Ya’ll have a good time. But be careful out there, ya hear?
Get this: The heartbeat of the gospel or of the “good news” is grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, renewal, peace, hope and great joy…
One would think…one would think…these are commodities that are so precious – that you can’t imagine anyone – not wanting them…or not accepting them…or not finding them to be desirable…or attractive.
How are these things – something to be afraid of? Something to hate? Something to run away from? To steer clear from?
Just who, “what kind of a person” would reject grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, renewal, peacefulness, hope and great joy? Where would such an opposition even come from?
How can you not “like” the gospel – it is dripping and oozing with peace, love, grace and hope? It is sugary-surpy sweet!
And yet we know, it was opposed from the very beginning and still is opposed to this very day!
What is good news for one – is not necessarily good news for all. Getting your life turned around and headed in another direction is not for everyone.
The resistance is real…and it CAN BE overwhelming…especially to the one “bringing or bearing” the good news.
Crowds can be fickle. People can be unkind. People can be mean and cruel. Hatred is real…Opposition is real.
There will always be those opposed to “the words” and “the ways” of Jesus. And there will always be those who are opposed to his people – as well…
You have to be prepared and realize it is coming…and always continue to lead lives that will be consistent with the gospel of grace, mercy, peace and love.
No matter what we go through in this life, our God promises to be with us, “even to the end of the age.”