Fire From Heaven?

   It was time. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to make His way to Jerusalem, where He would be betrayed, tortured and die on the the cross. The cup of the wrath of God would soon be poured out on Him. Yet He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem because of His love to do the Father's will and His love for His people whom He came to die for.

    Luke 9:51-56 starts a new section in the book. Jesus' ministry is coming to an end. He starts His journey to Jerusalem. As He heads into Samaritan territory, Jesus sends messengers ahead of Him into the next town to make arrangements for Him. Maybe they were to find a place of lodgings and some food for the evening meal. However, Jesus' messengers don't receive a warm welcome in town. The Samaritans refused to allow them to enter the town since they were on their way to Jerusalem. The Samaritan and the Jews didn't exactly get along. They had a long history of conflicts and differences in theology. Both group detested each other. Simply because Jesus was going to Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship, and not Mount Gerizim, the center of Samaritan worship, the Samaritan wanted nothing to do with Jesus and His disciples.

    This was a great insult against Jesus and His disciples. Now they would have to travel farther to find a welcoming town. Feelings of outrage were felt among the disciples. James and John were so indignant that they asked Jesus if they could command fire from heaven to fall down on these miserable Samaritans. Evidently, they remembered the story of Elijah who commanded fire to consume the fifty soldiers who came to bring him back to the king of Israel. See 2 Kings 1:9-16 for the full account.There, the king and his soldiers had not respected the authority of the Elijah as a prophet who was to call kings to obedience to God's word. Surely since Jesus was insulted, they should be allowed to wipe that village off the map. But they didn't have their Master's compassion and grace.

   Jesus forbids them to carry out their plans. In fact, He rebuked them for their suggestion. Wasn't He now walking toward the cross so sinners could be saved, even these Samaritans? Here again is another example of  how Jesus is so different than His disciples. We, along with them, are quick to condemn others. We quickly write off people as hopeless because they reject the gospel when they hear it. We see wicked men and women in the world living in rebellion toward God and often our first reaction is a prayer for God to smite them down. Instead of being quick to show and pray for mercy and grace, we are quick to pray for judgement. Often we see the ungodly of this world as the enemy to be opposed instead of seeing them as doomed sinners on the brink of hell. Jesus is, however, very patient. He bears with the insults of people for often a very long time. He extend grace to them in the gospel. Jesus gives them time to repent. He delights in showing mercy. Although judgement will come from God on those who live in rebellion against Him, He first extends grace in this life on earth.

 After Jesus had ascended to heaven and the Spirit had come, the gospel came to these very same people who had rejected Jesus. Philip came first preaching the gospel to the Samaritans after the death of Stephen. Acts 8:5-6. When the apostles heard how the Samaritans had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Acts 8:14. Remember this is the very same John who had wanted to smite the Samaritans with fire in Luke 9:54. Instead, this time John and Peter came preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. Acts 8:25. Maybe even in the same village that had rejected Jesus and His disciples earlier. They had learn the lesson well from their Master. And may we learn that lesson well too.

Brad