Called to be gracious witnesses!

Reflecting on Luke 9:1-6

"If people do not welcome you, leave..." (Luke 9:5)

As Jesus followers, we do not to pressure people to believe.
We are to freely love, bless and serve all people wherever we go.
We offer this generous love in Jesus’s Name.
We are demonstrating what life in Jesus’s kingdom is like.
The characteristics of the kingdom are healing, help, kindness, hope.
Everyone is welcome to receive it, but no one is required to.

If we extend kindness to people, many will accept it, but not all.
For those who don’t, do not pressure, shame or condemn them.
Just carry on, leaving those who will not accept your gracious blessing.
To shake the dust is not an act of condemnation or judgment.
It is an acknowledgement of your release and refusal to take anything from them.
You leave them fully, not even taking a speck of dust.
It witnesses to them, and against them, that this is their decision.
There is nothing in you that is withholding grace from them.
It is totally their decision.

There are gracious and ungracious ways of shaking the dust.
As servants of grace, we need to make sure we do it in a gracious way.
I’ve experienced pushy and pressured evangelism, and it does not sit well.
It feels like an aggressive salesperson pressuring you to buy something.
We are not called to sell anything, or make people accept what we bring.
Our job is to bless, to serve, to share, to care, to love… through it all.
Love also means letting go when someone is not ready to receive.
Love means leaving people alone when they want to be left alone.
It is not shutting the door on them, but not forcing our way in either.
The door remains open, and we are ready to return if invited.

This kind of non-pressured witness to grace is effective.
It does not leave a bad taste in a person’s mouth.
Even if for the moment they’re not ready, that can change.
And when the Spirit softens their heart, they will think back to your kindness.
They will remember you positively, and may even invite you back.

I find this way of witnessing comforting.
It does not pressure others, and it does not pressure me.
I do not need to feel guilty if people do not accept my kindness.
I’ve always struggled with how evangelism was explained and done.
The Jesus Way feels respectful, generous and positive.
It also reminds me that this is how God is with me.
He does not pressure or force me, for true love is not coercive.

I also find this way of witnessing challenging.
Depending on how people respond to my kindness, I might get angry.
Like James and John (see Luke 9:51-56), I want them to pay for their rudeness.
If someone does not receive kindness, do they even deserve it?
It seems to me that rude people deserve rudeness, not patience or more kindness.

Jesus is calling me to not think poorly or harshly of those who do not accept grace.
Leave them, release them to the ongoing mercy of God, demand nothing from them.
The pressure is off, and I am free to offer God’s kindness elsewhere.
This is the one thing that I am always called to, no matter what: gracious love.

I want to be this kind of witness for Jesus.
Someone who is generous, kind, forgiving, hopeful yet patient.
Someone who does not pressure, guilt, shame or punish others for their rejection.
Someone like the prodigal’s father, always ready to welcome them when they come.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You have empowered and authorized me to love, bless and serve the people around me. You are calling me to help people experience what Your gracious kingdom is like - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Help me to resist being a pushy salesman, or treating people who refuse your kindness in a critical, judgmental way. Season every word and action with grace, so that eventually their hearts will soften toward it.