'When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village (Lk. 9:51-56).'
The period of Jesus’ ministry on Earth was coming to an end and, after his death and resurrection, he would return (his assumption) to his Father and send the Holy Spirit. Jesus was determined to fulfill his Father’s will by going to Jerusalem. Samaritans disliked Jews (Jn. 4:9) especially when they were passing through Samaritan territory going to the holy city Jerusalem to worship. Samaritans believed that Moses commanded the Israelites to worship on Mount Gerizim (Deut. 11:29). When Jesus began his Galilean ministry he met with opposition. He also met with opposition at the end of his ministry. The disciples would have been familiar with the deeds of the prophets so they asked Jesus if he wanted them to do as Elijah did and call down fire on his enemies (2 kings 1:10-12). By rebuking the disciples Jesus showed that he was not following in the footsteps of Elijah the prophet, and that they should follow his teaching about loving their enemies (Lk. 6:27-36). Jesus the Messiah came to save not to destroy.
Almighty God, our reaction to rejection is often retaliation which goes against the teaching of your Son. Send your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may follow Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies in spite of any hurt we may experience by their actions. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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