“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” Luke 10.5-12
Jesus is very clear in describing the process for entering towns and engaging in ministry. He instructs His disciples to look for what some have called a “Person of Peace.”
I learned this principle when I was in Istanbul, Turkey, on an evangelism mission trip. We were there to share the gospel with Muslims. We received excellent training before the trip, including learning about the many references to Jesus in the Koran (although not biblically accurate). These references helped us find common ground and open up conversations with the people we met.
The lesson stresses finding a “person of peace”—someone who is open to you, welcomes you, and allows you to come into their “house of peace.” It’s not rocket science. As Jesus emphasizes, when you enter a home and say, “Peace to this house,” if the person reciprocates the greeting or the feeling, see that as a sign that the Holy Spirit has already opened the door for ministry. That is the town, house, or family in which you are to stay, because this person or family is open to the gospel.
This worked for us in Istanbul as well. We found three different people who welcomed us into their homes, businesses, shops, and restaurants. There we shared the gospel and planted seeds for those who might one day receive Christ. Jesus knew what He was doing. He was training His disciples as they preached the gospel, saying, “The Kingdom of God is near,” and as they performed miracles of healing.
And yet, there are those who will reject the greeting of peace. Jesus gives a grave warning about what will happen to them: “It will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” Ouch.
We are called to preach and proclaim the gospel. What we have received, we are to share. But some have not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit—they have not been born again. Even some who have gone to church for years have not personally accepted Christ as Lord. Even Rev. John Wesley had become an Anglican priest and was preaching sermons before he had his heart-warming experience and truly met Jesus.
If you have not yet personally trusted Christ as Savior, or if there is something missing from your faith life, then pray this prayer right now:
“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe that You died on the cross for me. I give You my life and thank You for the Cross. Come into my heart and save me from sin and death.” Amen
Once you pray that prayer, you will be born again. Your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and you will receive the Holy Spirit, who will live inside of you. (And if you prayed that prayer, email me at [email protected]—I want to celebrate with you!) (For more on this please read – https://billygraham.org/articles/how-to-be-born-again)
“O Lord God, You are faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit. Help us know the truth of Your gospel and to know You personally. You are a God who loves us deeply. I love You, Lord, and praise Your name. Thank You for allowing me to pray that prayer almost 40 years ago and receive Your love and salvation at a Young Life summer camp. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.