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There is a genuine need for curiosity and creativity in exploring effective approaches to preaching the gospel in places where hearts seem hard, and the environment is challenging. A thousand little “yeses” mark this process. It takes saying yes to God in everyday moments. Just as they did in the entire Bible, stories make up the core of why the underground churches in the Middle East are seeing Christ exalted in households within these hostile nations. Through unexpected interactions—often in obscure places, God brings people together. This happens in ways that stretch far beyond our ability to predict or manufacture using human wisdom or intellect.
The ideas of the “person of peace” and “sheep among wolves” are borrowed phrases from the teachings of Christ. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples in Matthew’s Gospel, He gave them specific instructions. These directives still provide some of the most relevant wisdom the global church has access to even to this day.
Jesus says, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8).
Jesus urges the disciples not to rely on material provisions but to trust God’s ability to provide. He said, “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you… for the worker is worth his keep.” (Matthew 10:9-10). We believe this is a directive that can still be applied to the church today.
These preparatory steps and Biblical mindset are required to go into the nations as gospel carriers. Beyond these, another critical component of how to make disciples in new areas with sustainable influence is Jesus’ guidance about finding receptive people “along the way.” Jesus instructed, “Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave” (Matthew 10:11).
The “worthy person” or “person of peace” is the one we discover open to the message. This person is also a gateway for the gospel in that area. Finding a person of peace among unreached people in the Middle East or the United States of America often happens unexpectedly. It could happen by running into a kind man willing to have small talk at a remote gas station miles from home. God intersects the lives of complete strangers—disciple-makers and those who are ready to hear the Gospel—even if this emerging person of peace does not yet realize it.
Jesus continues His instruction, “As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:12-13).
The peace we offer is more than a casual hello; it is the peace of Christ—the fullness of the gospel’s blessing. If welcomed, it brings transformation over time and with patience (Luke 8:15). If our peaceful interaction is not well received, this rift does not diminish God’s mission on earth. We simply move forward, trusting God with the outcome. Being sheep among wolves means the potential for threats, opposition, and uneasiness surrounds us. We are among the potential carnage, and we have accepted this as a part of the gospel of Christ.
Following Jesus in any context is dangerous. The message of Jesus as Lord is subversive to worldly powers and cultural norms and causes social rejection in many forms. While this is true, it is undeniable that persecution to the point of physical death is a real threat in many countries around the world. But physical harm is not the only form of persecution for those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12).
In this or that context, we are called to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves,” moving through social and physical threats with wisdom and integrity. The role of disciples is not to force acceptance of the gospel. Disciples faithfully present the truth and do so relationally. In these conversations of peace in unexpected interactions, we see over time God’s work in the circumstances we live within.
In the parable of the Sower (found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the emphasis is not on those who spring up with joy when they hear the message, but those who endure and bring forth fruit with patience over time. As disciples, we must make sure we are looking for the right results, not just an immediate reaction to the words we speak.
God has a plan for the whole earth, even when we do not see the entire picture. The future is clear; Jesus will reign over the nations—all of them—both literally and physically. The kings of the earth will bring gifts into His courts to make peace with the King of kings. Until that day, we are the emissaries of Christ, extending His pre-emptive peace to the world before the fulness of His global takeover takes shape from His throne in Jerusalem. For those who follow Jesus now, we have the joy and peace of participating in this everlasting reality before it fully materializes. This is our hope and our true north.
The Christian life is oriented to the realities of Christ’s reign in the future, empowering us to love our enemies, pray fervently, and remain faithful until the day the Lord comes to restore all things. When Jesus sent out disciple makers, He was not just giving logistical advice; He was imparting wisdom for evangelism, whether it be the most mundane circumstance or the harshest cultural conditions. It is wisdom that continues to be relevant for all generations.
Jesus said, “As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:12-13).
The peace Jesus speaks of has a function. It is not theoretical or abstract. It is kinetic; a peace that can be experienced in real-time. This blessing of peace that a person responds to when they meet a disciple of Jesus can be connected to Isaiah 52:7. In the book of Isaiah, the announcement of peace is a herald of God’s reign. When we offer peace to a household, we are presenting more than kind words; what we offer is the transformative power of God’s kingdom. This is a literal future kingdom where Jesus rules over the nations from Jerusalem.
It can be thought of as sending a message or a gift. If received, it brings joy. If not, it returns to the sender undiminished. Some scholars express this idea of “peace returning to you” in modern terms, as what happens with an uncashed check—it has value, but its potential is not realized unless accepted. The way the peace of God really functions in this world, as it emanates from the sheep among wolves, encourages us not to be disheartened when our message is not received. The blessing is not lost; it remains with us, ready to be shared elsewhere.
Upon entering a home, the disciples are to offer a greeting of peace. The Jewish blessing of peace (shalom) is more than an experience of internal tranquility. In a Jewish context during the time of Jesus, “peace” meant wholeness, well-being, and the favor of the God of Israel. This peace is not a casual, customary greeting but an impartation of God’s blessing. If the household is receptive, the peace bestowed by the disciples remains upon it; if not, the peace returns to them (vv. 12–13). The household’s response determines whether they partake in the blessings of the kingdom. The disciples respect the household’s choice, allowing the peace to return without resentment.
Jesus also instructed, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14).
This act of shaking the dust off your feet is symbolic; removing dirt from someone’s feet is a strong statement of dissociation. It signifies a complete break from those who rejected the message, drawing forceful attention to the seriousness of turning away from God’s offered peace. In these moments, entire towns turn away from the peace that God offers now and unknowingly exchange this for future wrath.
There will be times when doors remain closed. We cannot control the acceptance of the gospel of peace in an area. We cannot guarantee that an individual we meet will be a person of peace. When faced with rejection, we can move forward, knowing we have been faithful.
Isaiah 55:11 reminds us, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire.”
God’s purposes are not thwarted by human rejection. He is not hindered by social shame when people turn us away or think poorly of us, or the physical persecution and even death that we may face in violent outbursts from political governments or opposing religious groups. Our role is to be messengers in all these things, and the peace of God and the truth of God will be displayed through us as disciples of Jesus, even when walking among packs of wolves.
Being sheep among wolves means we will face rejection and be attacked, while also meaning that we must remain harmless in the process. This is because we live according to the government of the eternal kingdom of Jesus. His is a rulership of peace despite worldly turbulence.
The tangible peace of Jesus and His kingdom override the tumult of this age. Jesus did not ascend into heaven and leave us unequipped for mission. He taught us to handle threatening situations with grace. “Shaking the dust off” is about recognizing that we must sometimes move on, entrusting the ultimate salvation and outcome of these individuals to God.
As disciples enter a town or village, Jesus instructs us to “find out who is worthy” and stay with them until they depart (v. 11). The term “worthy” here does not refer to moral perfection or social status but to those who are open and receptive to the disciples. Receiving strangers is a form of hospitality that was part of the heartbeat of the ancient Roman world, especially for travelers who faced dangers in public inns known for piracy and immorality.
By staying with someone deemed “worthy,” the disciples would find safety and a base for their ministry. Remaining with one host also could prevent accusations of favoritism or stirring up competition among potential hosts, allowing the disciples to focus on building deeper relationships and ministering effectively within the community.
The entire model of Jesus, outlined with detailed instructions in Matthew 10, is structured around relationships, and protecting and nurturing them into a disciple-making ecosystem.
Shaking dust from the feet was also a cultural gesture from the time of Christ rooted in a Jewish custom; doing this when leaving Gentile regions indicated separation from impurity.
By performing this act in Jewish towns, the disciples signaled rejection of the gospel to be no different than pagan unbelief. This act in its context served as a solemn warning of the grave consequences of rejecting God’s message. Jesus declares that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for those towns that reject His disciples (v. 15).
This comparison demonstrates the severe consequences of rejecting the greater revelation of God through Christ. With increased revelation to Israel in Christ comes increased accountability (Hebrews 2:1-4). The rejection of the Son brings a harsher judgment than anything that came before. Treating an entire “home” or “town” based on the actions of one person reflects the corporate solidarity common in antiquity and in many cultures still today. In such societies, the decisions of a key individual, often the head of a household or community leader, represent the stance of the entire group.
Modern church growth specialists have sometimes been skeptical about group conversions, questioning the depth and authenticity of such responses. However, there is growing recognition that communal decisions can lead to genuine faith commitments. In cultures with strong corporate identities, group responses are not only natural but can also create a supportive environment for nurturing faith through relational disciple making.
This is the opposite of most modern Western individualism, which often emphasizes personal autonomy over communal identity. This feature of “towns” and “households” in Matthew 10 is another point of emphasis on relationship development in evangelism. Jesus is talking about communal responses that turn into genuine discipleship. Excessive individualism can hinder genuine discipleship, which thrives in community and shared commitment.
The early church often understood itself as a household—a family bound together by faith in Christ. This imagery of the family is designed to communicate unity through unbreakable bonds. These are the relationships no personal preference can alter. Family unity is one of dependency and mutual support. The family of God is a shared identity by a permanent name, the name of Christ. By viewing the church as a household, believers are encouraged to make decisions collectively, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance to reach a consensus that benefits the entire community. This is particularly critical for disciple making as sheep among wolves.
Here are some practical considerations based on the teaching of Jesus concerning sheep among wolves:
1. Disciples are to be discerning. We are called to be perceptive, seeking those who are open to the gospel and investing their efforts where there is receptivity.
2. Opening homes and lives to others can be a powerful avenue for ministry, reflecting the heart of God and creating opportunities for the gospel to take root.
3. When faced with rejection, believers should respond without resentment, entrusting the situation to God and maintaining their peace.
4. Prioritizing communal discernment and consensus under the Holy Spirit’s guidance strengthens the church and counters the isolation that can come from excessive individualism.
Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 10:11–15 provides a blueprint for navigating the complexities of ministry in a world that often resists the gospel. As sheep among wolves, believers are called to be wise and discerning, seeking those who are open and investing where the gospel can take root. They are to be bearers of peace, extending God’s blessing to receptive hearts and households.
They must remain resilient in the face of rejection, responding with grace and not allowing opposition to deter their mission. By embracing their identity as a unified community, they reflect the unity that Jesus prayed for and become a powerful witness to the world. In embracing these principles, believers honor the commission given to the disciples and continue the work of bringing God’s Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Be the Underground Church
