Every word in our Bible is helpful for us, and each word is there for a reason. Even if, like me, you have a thicker than average skull, and it takes several readings to see it. There are “eye openers” that make it obvious our reading of the scripture is not a “one and done” sort of thing. Learning what God has to teach us in His Word is a lifelong process. We never stop gleaning from it. It is no wonder that we read “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).
So, I’m reading Luke 9 and there is an interesting story about the Disciples, specifically James and John, who want to bring down fire on a Samaritan village. Say what!? I read, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’” (Luk 9:54) The context is just a couple verses. Easy to pass right by if you don’t pay attention.
Obviously, I’ve taken this verse out of context so, let me give a little background. Just a couple verses before this we read that “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luk 9:51). Jesus, at this point, begins to head to Jerusalem. Knowing what is ahead of Him there: Betrayal, beating, death and, ultimately, His resurrection. In fact, it’s ten chapters later that Jesus enters Jerusalem in chapter 19. It isn’t a straight geographical route, but it is intentional. From this point on, Luke indicates that Jesus is “resolutely” heading for Jerusalem and all that would transpire there.
On His way to Jerusalem and, ultimately, the cross, Jesus wants to go through a Samaritan village. So He sends messengers to make preparations for Him. But the Samaritans didn’t welcome Him. Why? Because they hear that Jesus is heading for Jerusalem. They just don’t seem to want anything to do with helping the Jews in Jerusalem in any way. (see Luk 9:52-53). So, James and John want to “call fire down from heaven to destroy them.”
We know that the Jews and the Samaritans didn’t like each other very much. “Despise” is probably a better word. Maybe that played into the Disciples reaction. Maybe they honestly thought that a vehement, and very obvious, defense of Jesus was appropriate. Whatever caused them to react this way Jesus’ response was clear: “But Jesus turned and rebuked them” (Luk 9:55).
This is the point at which I have to try and picture the scene. I often picture Jesus, walking with His disciples and teaching as He used everyday examples like the birds of the air, the wheat in the fields, the beauty of the Temple. Perhaps they were walking along like this when the news came that the Samaritans would not welcome them. Maybe, as they were walking along, James and John asked their question and “Jesus turned.” In fact, The Message version translates that Jesus “turned on them.” Pretty strong words.
Do you sense surprise from Jesus? Perhaps disappointment? Maybe even anger? After all, James and John were there when Jesus taught, “… to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luk 6:27-28). Weren’t they listening when He said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that…. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luk 6:32-33, 36).
You would think that walking with Jesus day to day, learning directly from Him, that they, if anyone, would understand that “…God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (Jon 3:17). Still, their first response was not love. Rather, they wanted retribution. The Samaritans may even have deserved retribution, “But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” Perhaps, more plainly, as The Message version says, “Jesus turned on them: ‘Of course not!’”
Those thick-headed Disciples! I shake my head and say, “tsk, tsk, tsk, they just don’t get it.” But what about me? Is love my first response? Walking with Jesus daily, do I practice what I preach? Do I love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who mistreat me? Yes friends, this is the “eye opener” moment. Do we love others, all of them? Or do we secretly, maybe not so secretly, hope they get what they deserve?
Frankly, some of us, big finger pointed at me, have a hard time loving people who have differing political views. Do we really love those who are our enemies, who hate us, who curse us, who mistreat us? Now, I’m not suggesting that it’s easy, or that there isn’t plenty of bad stuff thrown at us. A quick look around and I see Christians called hypocrite, bigot, intolerant, even racist and fascist. Not to mention ignorant, silly, empty-headed people who are misled by myths and fairy tales.
These are cruel and harsh descriptions that are simply not true of the real followers of Jesus. They hurt, of course. But how do we respond? We have to want salvation for all of the world. We have to love them. Not with gritted teeth. Yes, even those who stand against us and slander us.
That’s what Jesus did.
This scene is beautifully acted out in The Chosen. So good.