Paul Shakes His Clothes

Acts 18:6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
 
PAUL knew what would happen in the synagogue. Some would believe. Many would not. Some unbelievers would react violently to the gospel preaching. He would turn his preaching to the Gentiles. Still, he always entered any new synagogue he encountered. He knew his passion and his purpose: Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
   Paul taught. Many Jews rejected the gospel. So Paul shook out his clothes in protest. In this he demonstrated an Israeli tradition to shake the dust from their sandals or feet when they returned from a Gentile country. It symbolized their rejection of Gentile customs and gods. In essence, too, he obeyed Jesus’ command when he sent the first 12 disciples to administer the gospel. He told them to reject unbelievers and opposition: Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. Jesus knew they would encounter opposition. He told them how to respond to it.
   From Jesus’ instructions to Paul’s experiences, we learn a Bible truth: Many will reject God’s Word. We see this in the constant conflicts on many levels. But we can think that with just a bit more effort, “That person will receive Jesus.” This may not be true. Yes, we must make an effort to help people know Jesus. And we also must know when to shake the dust of their unbelief from our spiritual clothes and move forward. It is useless to continue planting a field when there is no rain.
   Paul must have been very tired of the Jews’ hateful response to Jesus. If a pastor today preached, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility.” his church would criticize and perhaps even remove him from the pulpit. The human heart does not want responsibility for its sin.
   But perhaps this is Paul’s prayerful desire for the Jews. Listen to his heart in Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race. Paul grieved for his people, willing to enter hell for their salvation! He longed for the Jews to wake up and understand their souls are in mortal danger.
   Paul was an inspired, chosen teacher, preacher, evangelist and counselor. He had a very close, personal relationship with Jesus. With absolute confidence, he spoke Jesus’ absolute warning. Frustrated with them, he still loved them enough to speak this one last warning. Perhaps some ears would finally hear the truth and be saved.
   Paul had done his work in the synagogue; it was time to tell the Jews in Corinth, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” The Spirit had a new field for the apostle to plant,