Word@Work Luke156 - Luke 9:51-56
Published: Wed, 07/28/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
REBUKE No. 4
Luke 9:51-56 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village. (NIV)
The disciples had been rebuked for their faithlessness (Luke 9:41), their competitive pride (Luke 9:46-48) and for wanting to exclude another believer from ministry (Luke 9:49-50). Today's passage reveals the fourth rebuke. The cross is now clearly in Jesus' mind with its wonderful salvation to all who believe, but the Twelve wanted to send judgement to a Samaritan village which had no interest in welcoming them.
Jesus rebuked them. They did not understand that the work of Christ on the cross was not to judge the rebellious but to save them, and to give opportunity for sinners to respond to God's grace. Somehow they thought that a power encounter would scare the other Samaritan villages into submission. It was not Jesus' way. He simply moved on and entered another village, displaying the love and power of God to heal, deliver and enlighten dark hearts.
Today's disciples, the believers in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, risk falling into one of two errors. One is like the disciples: they see the church as a hammer to crack the nuts of immorality and false doctrine. They exhibit a harshness that Jesus never displayed towards those who seek His mercy. The other error is to have little fear of the coming judgement and to live life selfishly with no urgency to communicate the gospel and urge others to receive Christ before it is too late. The wise Christian will both revel in the grace and mercy of Christ's salvation and also be in awe of His second coming in judgement. Such a spiritual outlook will spur their devotion and worship, excite them to press forwards in discipleship and urge them with the priority of making the gospel known among their family, friends and colleagues.
Prayer: Merciful Lord. Thank You for lavishing Your grace upon me, even though I did not deserve it and rejected Your kindness for so long. Forgive my failings and backslidings and help me to live in the blessing of Your salvation. May I show Your mercy to others and also have an internal sense of urgency to proclaim Your gospel wherever You lead. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The disciples had been rebuked for their faithlessness (Luke 9:41), their competitive pride (Luke 9:46-48) and for wanting to exclude another believer from ministry (Luke 9:49-50). Today's passage reveals the fourth rebuke. The cross is now clearly in Jesus' mind with its wonderful salvation to all who believe, but the Twelve wanted to send judgement to a Samaritan village which had no interest in welcoming them.
Jesus rebuked them. They did not understand that the work of Christ on the cross was not to judge the rebellious but to save them, and to give opportunity for sinners to respond to God's grace. Somehow they thought that a power encounter would scare the other Samaritan villages into submission. It was not Jesus' way. He simply moved on and entered another village, displaying the love and power of God to heal, deliver and enlighten dark hearts.
Today's disciples, the believers in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, risk falling into one of two errors. One is like the disciples: they see the church as a hammer to crack the nuts of immorality and false doctrine. They exhibit a harshness that Jesus never displayed towards those who seek His mercy. The other error is to have little fear of the coming judgement and to live life selfishly with no urgency to communicate the gospel and urge others to receive Christ before it is too late. The wise Christian will both revel in the grace and mercy of Christ's salvation and also be in awe of His second coming in judgement. Such a spiritual outlook will spur their devotion and worship, excite them to press forwards in discipleship and urge them with the priority of making the gospel known among their family, friends and colleagues.
Prayer: Merciful Lord. Thank You for lavishing Your grace upon me, even though I did not deserve it and rejected Your kindness for so long. Forgive my failings and backslidings and help me to live in the blessing of Your salvation. May I show Your mercy to others and also have an internal sense of urgency to proclaim Your gospel wherever You lead. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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