What does it mean to "shake off the dust from your feet"?
Matthew 10:14
ESV - 14 And 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.
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Asked September 16 2014
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Connie Howard
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Janice Burton
This is a good question. In the days of Jesus, they did not have cars and paved roads as we have today. They traveled by foot on dusty roads. So the reference to dust and feet has that fact as its foundation. But simply put, it means once you have tried to help someone through word or deed and they do not receive your help, move on and be at peace that you tried. Move on and don't keep trying to help someone whose heart is not open to receive. Move on to the next person or opportunity that God presents you to help. In the referenced scripture, once they shook the dust and moved on from that town, they did not return to that town again. Sometimes when you've done all you can do, it's time to move on and not look back but love and pray for people from a distance. Otherwise it could possibly drain you spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Connie Howard
You have pretty much clarified the first part of my question. Now, the 2nd part of that question is: When a pastor' "wife" tells your daughter that same passage and lets the mom know, too, she's done with her. Does that mean the pastor's wife is to ignore this teenager for several services, knowing she's the only spiritual person there is for a teen to talk to other than her mom? Especially when the teen didn't do anything wrong? The pastor's wife kept bringing up the past of the teen. The past was a one time incident (done because of being accused of something she didn't do) and out of anger, and because she continued to be friends with the person and that person was the opposite color of her.
Janice Burton
Connie,
I am sorry you and your daughter are experiencing this situation. Because I do not know all the specifics of what occurred, I cannot genuinely speak of the Pastor's wife and why she might feel emotionally exhausted with the situation. However, speaking in general terms, I will say that Jesus Christ always exampled for us grace, and since we are called to be imitators of Jesus Christ and to have the mind of Christ, we are to extend grace as well and especially within a congregation of Believers in a church setting. A teenager is still considered a minor and needs constant love and nurturing. The teen years are tough! Sometimes teens act out during these years as they deal with peer pressure, bullying, the demands of doing well in school, hormone changes, family issues & dysfunction, etc. So I would hope and pray that the adults in their lives would yes, be firm in discipline if bad choices have been made, but continue to extend love & grace as our Father God corrects us but continues to love us unconditionally even when we mess up. I encourage you to pray for your Pastor's wife and request to meet with the Pastor, his wife and you and your daughter to let them know that it was indeed a one-time incident that she is sorry for and that she (and you) desire to continue a loving, Christian relationship and Godly counsel for your daughter. Work to assure your daughter is in bible study and has Godly friends who will hold her accountable to good decisions and behavior.
Janice Burton
Connie: One additional comment: If you feel racial prejudice is at the heart of the matter, be prepared to lovingly discuss that as well, not accusatorially, but use "I" language, like, "I feel like racial prejudice might be playing a role in this whole situation."