“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16)
Luke records that Jesus had gathered 72 of His disciples and commissioned them to go down to the Jews in order to bring them the good news of the coming of the Messiah, meaning Himself. They were to prepare the Jews for His ministry for Jesus knew that he was about to journey to Jerusalem to sacrifice His life for the sins of all mankind.
In the process he instructed the disciples on how to behave. He warned them of rejection and how to respond. He pronounced judgment on several of the Galilean towns that rejected Him despite His miracles, His signs and wonders and His preaching and He did so with vehemence. He pointed out that it will be more bearable for Sodom than for them. Sodom as you recall was a very wicked city that the Lord destroyed with fire and brimstone because they rejected the Lord’s messengers. Why would it be more bearable for Sodom? Well, the Jews of Jesus’ day had seen and experienced the son of God Himself, Jesus, God in the flesh. Sodom had not. Both Sodom and the Jews of Galilee will go down to judgment but it will be far worse for those who actually met Jesus and rejected Him. They would regret their decision for all eternity.
Jesus had the authority to give his disciples the power to do what He did and so they went forth in His Name as His servants with His authority. The same commission is made to all believers to preach the gospel in words and in deeds of love and kindness. Those who reject us and His message, reject Him. And those who reject Jesus, reject Almighty God.
What people believe about Jesus is what divides humanity. Those who say they believe in Him must believe that He is Lord God and Savior. They must have faith in Jesus alone. They must, by God’s grace and strength live their lives for Him, not for self.