When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
Reflection
The opening words in this passage mark a turning point in Luke’s Gospel. We have come to the end of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and he is going to Jerusalem. In the Gospel the journey takes some time, about nine chapters.
The journey does not begin well. Jesus sends messengers ahead of them, they enter a Samaritan village who will not receive Jesus.
James and John chip in at this point, and they suggest that he should command fire to come down and consume the village. In 2 Kings 1 Elijah calls fire down upon fifty men sent to him by the King of Samaria (2 Kings 1:9-12), we may wonder if this is behind the thoughts of the disciples.
As we think about what James and John were saying, we may begin to wonder what they have learned, or rather failed to learn. Were they absent when Jesus told the disciples that they should love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, pray for those who ill-treat them (Luke 6:27,28). They do not seem to have taken in Jesus’ teaching about true greatness, where Jesus places a child in their midst, and John himself has been told that whoever is not against you is for you (Luke 9:46-50).
Jesus rejects the use of violence, and he rebukes the two disciples.
Jesus and his disciples are going to need hospitality, but when such hospitality is refused you do not threaten those who refuse with destruction.
It is interesting that in the Acts of the Apostles Philip goes to this region of Samaria. He proclaims the Messiah in the city and the people listen eagerly, the outcome is not destruction but joy (Acts 8:4-8).
As modern-day disciples of Jesus, there may be times when we face rejection, our response should not be one of bitterness but one of patience and forgiveness.
Prayer
Gracious God, there are times when we face disagreement, times when we feel rejected. May we not be bitter and full of anger. May we be patient, and always ready to forgive others, as Christ forgives us. Amen.
Today’s writer
The Revd Dr David Whiting, Retired Minister living in Sunderland
