Jesus has taught again and again that – in spite of His popularity – His destiny is to walk the road of rejection. Luke again makes the point in Lk.9:51. And He won’t walk it alone. His disciples must learn to walk it with Him. Until we have learned to handle rejection, our progress as disciples will be limited. He has taught them, but as is their (our) way, they are slow to learn, and when a Samaritan village rejects Jesus the aptly named ‘Sons of Thunder’ (Mark 3:17) call for Divine retribution.
The response of the Samaritans is hardly unique (see Lk.8:37), but neither is it representative of all Samaritans (e.g. Lk.17:11-19). Whether James and John’s reaction is driven by spiritual pride, genuine concern for Jesus’ honour, or cultural prejudice and hostility is unclear. Perhaps it was their recent encounter with Elijah that put the idea in their heads (II Kings 1:10). Either way, the lesson the disciples need to learn here is that they (and we) are preachers of the Gospel. It is not their prerogative to call down fire on those who reject Jesus, and by implication them. They can warn of judgment (so Lk.9:5 & 10:11), but that is different from calling it down. The Apostles are tasked with proclaiming how to avoid judgment, not with hurrying people into it.
The Gospel does return to the area only a few years later, and with markedly more encouraging results (Acts 8:4-25). That in itself is sufficient explanation of why the Church doesn’t call for immediate retribution. Peter explains: [H]e is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). That’s why judgment is held back. It’s why it’s held back here in Luke 9, but also why it’s held back in history.
We may desire the return of Jesus. The world is so fallen, and s scarred with evil and suffering. Our deepest longing can be for the New Creation. We can feel frustrated, and confused about why the Last Day has not yet dawned. Jesus’ rebuke gives us pause for thought. Judgment and destruction will achieve many things. It will also close the door on our opportunity to respond to the Gospel. If James and John had their way, many would have been lost to eternity who later ‘accepted the Word of the Lord’ under Philip’s ministry (Acts 8:12-14).
Questions:
In light of Jesus’ rebuke of James and John, why then does Paul enact judgment in Acts 13:9-11?
Why does Luke link the Samaritan’s rejection of Jesus with his going to Jerusalem (9:53)? Is this just a Jew/Samaritan thing, or does Luke think something deeper is going on here?
Why – in the face of rejection, or even just failure – might we be tempted to lower the bar in terms of the commitment required to follow Jesus? Where does the Church capitulate to this temptation today? What do you think is the consequence of that capitulation?
What is the point Luke is making in moving straight from the Samaritans’ rejection of Jesus, to these conversation in vv.57-62?
Do you think Jesus is being ‘harsh’ with these three potential disciples? What are the issues that He is addressing in each, and what are the point(s) He is making in His dealing with each of them?
How have you responded to those issues over your life following Jesus?
Do you think we should treat people in the same kind of way if they are showing interest in Jesus?
From what you know of John in, for example, his later epistles, what would you say he learned over the years? How did he make that kind of spiritual progress?
