Matthew 10:12-15 "And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
As Jesus continues to instruct His disciples concerning their travels, it is apparent that they will not receive a warm welcome everywhere. It is also apparent that the Lord will be aware of every step and circumstance as they journey. Luke 10:5 tells us that the salutation to be given when a home was entered was “Peace be to this house.” The worthy house (including its inhabitants) was one where real hospitality and kindness were found.
The idea of “letting” as it is used in the scripture does not always mean to allow something. When God said, “Let there be light” it was not about allowing the light to shine but rather causing it to do so. The phrase Jesus used, “let your peace come upon it” was not about the disciples being in control of that peace. Rather, it was a promise that if the house was worthy God would honor their salutation of peace to the house and cause His peace to abide there.
The house being unworthy was an indication that those that lived there gave the outward appearance of being hospitable and kind but were the opposite. They would fail to show a welcome to the disciples or to help them on their journey. The phrase “let your peace return to you” was Jesus telling them that He would not allow His peace to abide there. The disciples were instructed to not take so much as the dust from any place where the teaching of Jesus and those He has sent was rejected.
Remember that this was Jesus’s instruction to them concerning the Jews they were first sent to. Jesus knew they would reject Him as a nation (John 1:11). In God’ holy judgement, the Jews were broken out of the Vine, and the Gentiles were grafted in (Romans 11:17-24). This was not about where they would spend eternity, but rather about the kingdom of heaven which was at hand (Matthew 10:7).
Dear ones, being sent by Jesus with the message of His kingdom is no small thing. Neither is receiving them who are sent with this message. As we go in His service, God watches over our steps, and His peace is with us. Where His word is gladly received, He also leaves His peace there. Where His word is not received, we are to carry nothing (not even the dust) from that place.