Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem begins and ends with a call for his disciples to be on mission. But being on mission is not always easy. When Jesus’ disciples are sent to Samaria to announce the coming of Jesus, they face intense rejection. When they ask Jesus if they should “call down fire from heaven to destroy the city,” Jesus instructs them to “shake off the dust” from their shoes and move on. He is reminding them that judgment will come, but it won’t come through them.

When we are rejected, we often feel justified in getting angry and rejecting others in return. But that response rarely advances the kingdom. When Christ reached Jerusalem, he experienced the ultimate rejection. But, instead of raining down judgment, he says, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they have done.” Life on the road with Jesus will lead to lots of encounters along the way. And we are bound to experience rejection. Jesus calls us to respond in a way that keeps the mission in full view, allows us to keep moving forward and leaves the rest up to God.

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