i remeber the story of a disciple who was bidden by jesus to take the message to a nearby town.
when he arrived the townsfolk laughed at him,abused him, gave him very short shriftand drove him away .
he returned to jesus, spitting pips at the 'welcome' he had recieved.
how dare these people ignore such a gift! he wished the lord to make an example of these ingrates....something along the line of sodom and gomorrah. after all the disciple felt quite bolstered not only by the obvious power of jesus but also his own importance by association!
jesus was very explicit about our behaviour under such circumstances.
we go . we knock on the door. we tell...if we are invited in so much to the good. if an individual ,group or town shuts the door. so be it. we leave. no judgement, no cursing. we are not pulled out of shape by this. their choice.
jesus was wise enough to realise that evangelism was not about pressurising people into submission. he did not want his disciples to get their egos involved with their work.
let him who has eyes see let him who has ears listen.
peace be with you.