As some of you know, our church hasn’t traditionally discussed historical holidays that are not expressly stated in the Bible, other than Christmas. But as I have been studying and praying this year, I have found Lent to be very important for myself. I was taught that anything that came to be out of man’s tradition was ultimately bad. However, that isn’t always true.
The Christian faith has been a continual unfolding thanks to the Holy Spirit, it has developed over time into what we have today. And it’s still being revealed. In ancient times, traditions came out of both necessity of survival but also as a way to stress the importance and meaning of Biblical events; that’s part of how Easter came to be what it is today. But what does that have to do with Lent?
Lent is defined as a 40-day period of fasting, beginning this year on March 5th, that leads up to Easter. This is a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for God’s work in our lives. Fasting is essentially giving something up for a time to push yourself and be reminded of what you are doing it for, to deepen our relationship with Jesus, for he said to do all things with fasting and prayer. For me, I have given up soda, social media, and some other habits that have caused me harm. I am giving it up to God, I’m trying anyway.
Now, we are going to get to the meat of why I am bringing Lent up. As it is a time of self-reflection, it is not coincidental that our small group ministry, Redemption Warriors, has been pushing us to explore why we struggle with what we do. Pastor Curtis has guided us through various tools to get at the heart of the issue, not run from it. If you haven’t joined in at a meeting, I highly recommend it. Urgesurfing is where it’s at (if you know, you know)!
The big “habit” I am working on right now is not holding onto other people’s emotions. I struggle when others are upset or experiencing any negative emotion, and I end up trying to “fix it” or hold it inside and think it’s my fault or obsess over it. So, as I am spending time during this season of Lent and doing some deep self-work, I took this struggle of mine to God. And as our local church chat has discussed, I meet God best in His scriptures.
“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”
-Matthew 10:14
In Jewish culture, this act (shaking the dust off one’s shoe) was symbolic. When pious Jews traveled through Gentile (non-Jewish) lands, they would often shake the dust off their feet before reentering Israel. This was a way of saying, “We do not belong to this unclean place; we separate ourselves from it.”
This concept of shaking off the dust can be carried over to our modern time as well. We are not required to keep interacting with people, topics, or emotions that ultimately aren’t good for us. We are allowed to separate ourselves from these situations. Let me ask you this: If you ever get pushed to your limit, how do you step back? You could tell a person directly that this is not something you want to talk about. You could cut ties with someone who is toxic, or you could even take a break from a heated discussion. Can you give an example of your own that relates to that? Let me know in the comments!
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”
-Galatians 6:2-5
There is a difference between helping in times of need (burdens) and carrying what others should manage themselves (their load). As believers, we are called to bear one another’s burdens in love (Galatians 6:2), offering support, encouragement, and assistance when someone is struggling. However, this does not mean we are to take on their struggles as our own or carry the emotional, mental, or spiritual weight that they must learn to handle themselves.
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.”-Proverbs 4:23
You are responsible for protecting your heart and emotional well-being. Each person has their own load to carry—responsibilities, personal growth, and life challenges that God has given them to navigate. When we absorb another’s pain or take full responsibility for their situation, we risk becoming weighed down by something that was never ours to carry. This not only drains us but can also prevent the other person from developing the strength and faith needed to endure and overcome their trials.
“So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.”
-Exodus 18:17-18
Moses’s father-in-law, Jethro, observed that Moses was overwhelming himself by trying to judge and lead the people of Israel alone. Jethro recognized that Moses was on the path to burnout, carrying a burden too great for one man. He advised Moses to delegate leadership responsibilities, appointing capable people to help judge minor cases while Moses focused on the more significant matters. This principle of shared leadership not only preserved Moses’ strength but also ensured the people’s needs were met efficiently. Jethro’s counsel serves as a timeless reminder that no one is meant to navigate the weight of leadership and burdens alone; wise delegation and teamwork are essential. As a pastor, I struggle with this. I want to help everyone and everything. I want to take it all on in hopes that I can guide our congregation. Much like how I try to carry burdens, I also try to do it all. But Pastor Curtis and Elder Chris call me out on this all the time.
So, here is the point: We are called to walk alongside others, offering guidance, prayer, and wisdom without internalizing their struggles as if they were our own. There is a balance between compassion and separation. True help does not mean losing ourselves in another’s troubles but rather pointing them to Christ, the ultimate burden-bearer (Matthew 11:28-30). By setting healthy boundaries, we allow both ourselves and others to grow in faith, trusting that God is in control and that He alone provides the strength needed to carry what belongs to each individual.
So here I say, shake off the dust! And I leave you with this: “Focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot.” SHAKE OFF THE DUST!
Let us pray!
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for this time together as we learn about reflection as we lead up to Easter, where we celebrate the death and resurrection of your son and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Help us to let go of burdens that are not our own and to have the wisdom to tell the difference. Guide our paths and convict our ways. We give you all the glory and praise in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Further Reading
Craig S. Keener – The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
- Keener, a respected biblical scholar, notes that first-century Jews viewed Gentile lands as ritually unclean. Shaking the dust off their feet when returning to Israel was a symbolic act of separation from impurity.
Alfred Edersheim – The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
- Edersheim, a Jewish-Christian scholar, discusses various Jewish customs of the time, including purification practices related to contact with Gentile territories.
Mishnah – Tractate Oholot 2:1
- The Mishnah, a key Jewish text compiled around 200 AD, contains discussions on ritual impurity associated with Gentile lands. While it does not explicitly mention shaking dust off one’s feet, it does affirm the Jewish belief that foreign soil was a source of impurity.
Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews
- Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, provides insights into Jewish views on purity and separation from Gentiles. While he does not directly mention this practice, his writings confirm the broader Jewish concern for ritual cleanliness when interacting with non-Jews.
