And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.
--Luke 9:54-56 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on August 3, 2013 of Psalm 129; Luke 9:28-62; 2 Chronicles 34:14-35.
For quite a few chapters beginning with chapter nine verse 51, Luke provides glimpses of Jesus' life that are not given by the other three Gospel writers, although similar teachings do appear in their accounts on different occasions. Today's focus verses frame a very interesting tableau featuring Jesus, James, and John. The time was drawing near for Jesus' great sacrifice. While traveling to Jerusalem, they entered a small Samaritan town, but the people there did not receive Him because that was not part of God's plan for Jesus to tarry there. Jesus was set on His final destination of Jerusalem to fulfill God's will and to see His fate to the end of His mortal life. James and John, not really understanding all of this, felt indignation at the response of the townsfolk. They approached Jesus and asked (we don't know which one actually spoke the words) if He wanted to invoke destruction on them as Elijah had done in the old days (please see 2 Kings 1:10-12). It is easy to see how these two may have had Elijah on their minds, for they, along with Peter, had just recently witnessed Jesus' Transfiguration when He was briefly joined by Moses and Elijah (verses 28 through 36). James and John apparently sought to prove to these Samaritans and any witnesses just who Jesus truly was.
But Jesus quietly rebuked them, for they were thinking and speaking purely from the flesh and not from the spirit. Jesus' ministry on earth had always been all about love and serving mankind, not retribution and destruction. He taught God's word everywhere He went, not to harm or scare people but to better their lives. He never made a move to oppress anyone, but always strove to free them. All His efforts were to save us, not to condemn us. What Jesus said to him and James must have really impressed John, for nowhere is this sentiment more clearly expressed than in his Gospel account of Jesus Himself telling us, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17.)
This is God's love, shown in Jesus' intent and mission on earth, not to destroy men's lives but to build them up, not to condemn mankind, but to save it. God blesses us with His Son, that all who believe in Him might not be destroyed but instead be saved. Amen.
Loving God, You sent Your Son to save us, not to condemn us. At any time You or He could easily wipe man from the face of the earth, erasing all memory of us forever. Yet even though we must tempt You sorely with our disobedience and our serving other gods, You show compassion and forgiveness over us. Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. In the most wonderful and glorious name of Jesus Christ we give thanks and we pray. Amen.
But Jesus quietly rebuked them, for they were thinking and speaking purely from the flesh and not from the spirit. Jesus' ministry on earth had always been all about love and serving mankind, not retribution and destruction. He taught God's word everywhere He went, not to harm or scare people but to better their lives. He never made a move to oppress anyone, but always strove to free them. All His efforts were to save us, not to condemn us. What Jesus said to him and James must have really impressed John, for nowhere is this sentiment more clearly expressed than in his Gospel account of Jesus Himself telling us, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17.)
This is God's love, shown in Jesus' intent and mission on earth, not to destroy men's lives but to build them up, not to condemn mankind, but to save it. God blesses us with His Son, that all who believe in Him might not be destroyed but instead be saved. Amen.
Loving God, You sent Your Son to save us, not to condemn us. At any time You or He could easily wipe man from the face of the earth, erasing all memory of us forever. Yet even though we must tempt You sorely with our disobedience and our serving other gods, You show compassion and forgiveness over us. Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. In the most wonderful and glorious name of Jesus Christ we give thanks and we pray. Amen.
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