Opposition from Samaritans
51As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them upj?” 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them.k 56So they went on to another village.
Jesus was on a mission to go to Jerusalem. The people of this village rejected his mission and rejected him. Jesus didn’t change his mission and he did not let his disappointment or anger sidetrack his mission. He had no time or energy for wrath and punishment.
How much time and energy do we waste because someone upsets us? Does our anger and need to “set them straight” get us to Jerusalem (literally the city of peace) sooner, or later? How many times wouldn’t we be better off, and God be better served, if we just “let it go” and continued on our mission?
Holy Spirit, soften my heart and harden my resolve to do your will.
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