Strange Sciptures: Rude

            For the next few posts, I’ll be going off a little book called Strange Scriptures That Perplex the 

Western Mind by Barbara M. Bowen. This book goes over verses in the Bible that might puzzle people 

unaccustomed to Middle Eastern ways. The Middle East has not changed very much since Bible times 

(besides McDonald’s). Because of this, when she writes about passages of scripture I can be assured 

that she is not only accurate today, but that her explanations are also accurate for “Bible” times, as well. 

Her exegesis (explaining passages of scripture) is very valuable.

            The first verse I will go over (in chapter one of the book) is a small matter, but it is important to 

understand culturally and spiritually. In Luke 10:1-20, Luke writes about how Jesus sent 70 men, in 

pairs, to places where Jesus Himself would come. In verse 4, he writes that Jesus said, “Carry neither 

purse (money), nor scrip (bag), nor shoes, and salute no man by the way.” That means that Jesus’ 

disciples were not to greet those they met on their way to their destination.

            When a European or American reads that, he or she might be tempted to think that Jesus wanted 

His disciples to be rude. This is a natural reaction, given the way we “salute” or greet people today. We 

might nod our head and say “hi”, never stopping during the process. Why wouldn’t Jesus allow His 

disciples to be similarly courteous?

            The problem is the Middle Eastern greeting isn’t like the Western greeting. We might shake 

hands and say, “How are you doing?” But it doesn’t last long, a minute or so at the most. Then we are 

on our way. No, the Middle Eastern greeting is elaborate and repetitious. They kiss their friend (or 

whoever) on both cheeks, then they have a little hand ritual, then they have a list of complimentary 

speeches and questions. The whole process can take hours. That is what Jesus meant by a “salute”.

            No, Jesus’ disciples had a job to do. They were to be focused. The Messiah was here; they were 

to spread the news. The Kingdom of God was (and is) near. This was an eternally important message 

that they needed to spread. They could not be hampered by extremely long greetings, so they were not 

to greet anyone on their way.

            Now that we understand what Jesus meant culturally, how can we apply this lesson spiritually? 

When we are saved, Jesus gives us responsibilities. Two of these are to spread the Gospel and to love 

one another. These are weighty things, and we are called to fulfill them. But there are often cultural 

obstacles. In Jesus’ time, greetings could sidetrack evangelism. Though that is not a problem in our 

culture, America has its own obstacles for Christians desiring to be obedient to God.

            For instance, a lot of Americans believe that, while faith is important, religious folks should 

keep their beliefs to themselves. If Christians try to tell them about Jesus, they are insulted. They say, 

“Keep your Jesus to yourself.” This is an obstacle that is just as real as the “forever greetings” of Jesus’ 

time.

            Another obstacle we have in America’s culture is the pseudo-Christian belief that if you know 

about Jesus, you’re good to go. Just go to church once in a while. Jesus covers you, baby. Do your 

thing; we’ll see each other in Heaven one day. The obstacle is “knowing can save you”. That is why 

we have a culture of people who call themselves Christians, but don’t live like Christ. It is a deadly 

obstacle. People know who Jesus is (sorta), and they know what He did (sorta). They believe this 

knowledge can save them.

            Jesus wasn’t being rude; He was just giving us an example of what it looks like to put the life of 

a Christian in action. We are not to falter in the face of cultural obstacles. No, my friends, when Jesus 

saves you, you are to live for Him. Cultures will pass away, but God never will.