The First Word

Read: Luke 10:1-24

Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, “May God’s peace be on this house.” If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Luke 10:5-6

IN WORD

Many throughout history have gotten this wrong. Some on their mission from the King have entered a house, literally or figuratively, by first saying, “Repent.” Others have entered houses with the word obey. Still others have entered the discussion with a message of judgment or righteousness or ideology. And while all of these messages may become part of the conversation, they aren’t the beginning. When Jesus sent His friends into the harvest, He sent them with a message of peace.

Yes, Jesus came preaching repentance (Mark 1:15), but the emphasis wasn’t on the sin, it was on the Good News. And He backed it up with healing and deliverance and blessing. He came with a message of wholeness, joy, fullness, restoration . . . shalom. Above all, He came to bring peace between God and those alienated from Him.

Jesus made it clear that He came to save, not to condemn (John 3:17). That’s His purpose. Yet the primary message many people hear from the Christian community is a message of condemnation. We may want to bless those around us, but those around us don’t always trust our motives. They see an agenda beyond blessing. They think we will love them only if they become like us.

IN DEED

As Kingdom citizens on a Kingdom mission, we need to remember that all topics of conversation—sin, repentance, obedience, and everything else—take place in the context of peace. This is a Kingdom of shalom. Its workers are shalom-minded people looking for shalom-hungry people whose hearts will align with a shalom-focused God. If that’s the lead message, many will receive it.

ADDITIONAL READING: John 3:17

The way from God to a human heart is through a human heart.

S. D. GORDON