on September 18, 2013
Luke 10:5-7 – “When you enter a house, first say, `Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
Jesus continues to give instruction to His single-minded, humble, diligent, alert, faithful ambassadors, as they will be tending to their Master’s business and courageously facing the danger and challenges – right in the middle of a wolf pack! The very next directive He gives them reflects that the Church will be built one household at a time, and it will be built for stability! When they enter a house, their very first expression and communication is to be one of peace! They are the representatives of the Prince of Peace – the One who did not come to condemn the world, but to save it! They are not bringing God’s judgment and condemnation, they are bearers of His peace! The very first intentions of Christ’s ambassadors should be to bring peace to every situation, life and home they connect with.
“If a man of peace is there…” Other translations use the phrase “SON of peace.” In the Jewish style, a man who has any good or bad quality is called the SON of it. Wise men are called the children or SONS of wisdom (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35). Likewise, whatever a man is doomed to be, he is called the SON of, as in Ephesians 2:3, those who pursue the fulfillment of their sinful nature are declared to be the children of wrath. Also, Judas is called the SON of perdition, John 17:12. A man who deserves to die is called a SON of death (2 Samuel 12:5). A SON of peace not only means a peaceable, quiet man, but one also of good report for his uprightness and benevolence. These SONS of peace possess the kind of character that is fertile soil for the Good News of Christ’s kingdom! It would have been a dishonor and an exercise in futility if Christ’s ambassadors had taken up lodging with those who were not SONS of peace!
“Don’t move around from house to house.” It would be a great offense if a guest, after being made welcome at a house, were to leave it and go to another. Even more significantly, God’s kingdom is one that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28), and so, His people should reflect that stability! Jumping and hopping and skipping around from house of God to house of God will never do that! If you are received, your testimony is appreciated, and your contribution to the household is wanted and welcomed – STAY PUT! Bloom and grow where you are planted! You will not wear out your welcome if you continue to labor faithfully for the Master in that environment, AND, your labors are deserving of your continued reception and support! Do you wonder if you should stay where you are? Are you in a house of peace with SONS of peace? Then STAY! Be faithful there! It’s all about STAYBILITY! You will produce more SONS of peace – including those in your own household!