Christians are imperfect people who live in an imperfect world, but we serve a perfect God. We must take care not to be poorly influenced by those outside of Christ (2 Cor 6:14). At the same time, we are to try to work with them and attempt to relate to their situation, in order to bring them to Christ (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 9:19-23). How do we strike this balance?
We learn that we show kindness and respect, even to those with whom we do not agree. The Jews were rigorous, in regards to their hospitality. In some of their religious writings and comments on the Old Testament, called the Talmud, they dealt with hospitality in detail. They had rules of etiquette for both hosts and guests that detailed the actions and attitudes of the good and the bad (e.g. Berak. 58a 5). The Talmud even prescribes correct distances to accompany friends when they leave (Sotah 46b 15, 2,000 cubits, or about 3,000 feet). When Jesus sent his apostles to the Jews, He was well aware of their deep tradition of hospitality, derived from their history and maintained in their traditions (Gen 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Judg 4:17-19; 19:16-21).
When Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to preach about the kingdom, He said, “If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matt 10:13, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved). At first look, it seems there was some special property in the apostles’ words – a magical or mystical power. After all, there were rabbies who lived less than a hundred years after Jesus was on earth who believed that someone would be protected if they offered hospitality to a teacher of God’s Word (Berakh. 63b 21-23). So, what’s going on?
When He sent out 70 disciples, Jesus gave similar instructions. Examining events in this context, we can see that it was a standard greeting. Whenever they were invited into a home, they were to say, “Peace to this house” (Luke 10:5). Such a statement seemed to imply the speaker’s support of the actions of the homeowner. However, this salutation was to be spoken before the disciples knew if the household was “worthy,” that is if they were “sons of peace” (Matt 10:13; Luke 10:5). The worthiness of the house was dependent upon the household’s reception of the gospel. In the event those who resided there rejected what the disciples preached, they were to let their peace return to them.
We should take care not to give false encouragement. Third John 10 and 11 explains, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” This does not mean we mistreat anyone who does not follow the truth. Even the erring Christian is not to be counted as an enemy, but warned “as a brother” (2 Thess 3:15). It seems the act of the disciples returning their peace to themselves would have been their clear explanation that they were wrong to reject the message of Jesus Christ.
How are we at being kind without seeming to compromise? We are to do whatever we can to be at peace with all (Rom 12:18), but, at the same time, we must take care we do not appear to approve of evil practices (Rom 1:32; 3 John 11).
-Van
