5. Not Everyone Is Your Person of Peace

Jesus ends His Person of Peace teaching with an important reality check. Not everyone will be your Person of Peace. Some people will not welcome you or respond to the gospel message. This is normal and to be expected.

He says plainly, “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, NIV).

The idea of the Person of Peace may feel counterintuitive. Many of us were taught to push harder or to try to convince everyone. But Jesus says something radically freeing: don’t force it.

Specifically, Jesus instructed that if someone isn’t open, move on. That’s not failure, so don’t get discouraged when someone isn’t ready. Instead, because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, Jesus wants us to focus on the people who are actually interested and to invest deeply there.

This approach frees us from striving and points us toward fruitfulness. When we focus on the People of Peace in our lives who God is already stirring spiritually, we find ourselves in conversations that are meaningful rather than manufactured.

This doesn't mean you (necessarily!) did something wrong. It more likely means that a particular person isn't ready for what God wants to do in their life, and needs more time before their heart becomes open to spiritual things. Maybe they will be open to you in the future, or maybe they will be someone else's Person of Peace.

We aren’t called to convince or pressure people. Our role is to be faithful witnesses, to share our lives and Jesus with others.

This is one of the most freeing truths in Jesus’ strategy for mission. You don’t have to batter open every closed door. You’re released from the burden of getting every conversation ‘right’. Instead, you can trust that God is at work, even when someone seems resistant.

The apostle Paul lived this out. In Corinth he was testifying about Jesus at the synagogue, “But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest” (Acts 18:6, NIV). That sounds strange to us, but it was understood in that culture!

He then literally went next door to a believer’s home (hospitality at work), and there did find a Person of Peace. “Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8, NIV). That in turn led to a mighty move of God in Corinth that went on for several years.

Of course, there’s wisdom in staying relationally present, even when someone isn’t spiritually receptive. We’re still called to love our neighbors, no matter where they are. But we don’t have to keep pushing if the door is closed. We can invest where God is opening hearts.

Keep your eyes open. Someone else might be quietly waiting for your invitation, your story, your friendship. Be ready to redirect your time and energy with grace and freedom.

The mistake we sometimes make is trying to force connection where there isn’t spiritual openness, while overlooking the people who are actually leaning in. That’s why Jesus has us (metaphorically) shake off the dust and move on. Not every relationship will be spiritually fruitful, and that’s okay.

Ask the Holy Spirit to heighten your discernment. With time, you’ll start to notice the difference between someone who is kind and someone who is truly open to the message you carry.

Your Next Steps

1. Is there a relationship where you’ve been feeling resistance? Ask Jesus if it’s time to release that pressure and refocus.
2. How do you usually respond to closed doors? Are you discouraged, defensive, or at peace? Bring that honestly before God.
3. Is there someone you’ve overlooked because they didn’t seem 'interested' at first? Pray about reconnecting with that person.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that I’m not responsible for outcomes, only for being obedient. I want to be able to see with spiritual eyes, to see those who are genuinely open and those who are not. Give me wisdom to recognize when it’s time to stay, and when it’s time to move on. Lead me to those You are preparing. Amen.