Facing the Cross III
This study of Luke 9:51-54 began by looking at one verse, verse 51. Jesus realized it was time for Him to go to Jerusalem and the cross. His appointed time had come. Only Jesus recognized the importance of what lay ahead. The study concluded with a question. This Easter 2022, how many people will actually celebrate what Jesus did for them on the cross? How many people will be caught up in colored eggs, bunnies, and candy without grasping the significance of the cross?
The second study focused on verses 52 and 53. Jesus sent messengers to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for the journey to Jerusalem. The Samaritans refused to offer assistance because they were Jews on the way to Jerusalem. In effect, prejudice led the Samaritans to oppose Jesus. We closed the second study with another question. Would the world be a better place if we could lay down our personal prejudices and forgive each other?
Now we come to the last study in this series, and we will give attention to verses 54-56. In the two previous studies, I used scripture from the English Standard Version, but for this study, I am using the New King James Version. I made this transition because the ESV omits text included in other versions. Let’s look at verses 54-56.
54And 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?” 55But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56For 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).
The underlined portion of the text represents the wording omitted in the ESV.
The first thing we notice is that James and John were fired up by the Samaritan rebuff, and their response was to destroy the Samaritans by calling down fire from heaven. True, the Samaritans weren’t helpful, but does this qualify as a heavenly flamethrower offense? How can we explain that degree of escalation? What is the inherent danger that comes with their response?
Regarding the danger of judging others, Jesus tells us not to do it (Matthew 7:1). He warns the severity of our judgment against others will be the severity of judgment used to judge us. God claims the right to judge in numerous places in the Bible. He cautions us about exercising vengeance against our enemies. The Apostle Paul quotes Old Testament wisdom that says, “vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord”(Romans 7:19). James and John put themselves at risk by ignoring what they had been taught from the lips of Jesus.
Several possibilities could account for why James and John jumped to what appears to be an unreasonable reaction compared to the offense. It could have been a natural human response arising out of their own prejudice against the Samaritans. They may have wanted an excuse to see punishment rained down on their perceived enemies. In plain English, they were fired up because these were Samaritans.
It could be James and John reacted in that way because they recently were in the company of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the Mt. of Transfiguration (Luke9:28-36). You may remember that Elijah was the Old Testament prophet who, in fact, did call down fire from Heaven. Maybe they were still “fired up” from that experience.
Maybe their reaction to the Samaritans exposed a personality trait. James and John earned a reputation for overreacting prior to their Samaritan encounter. Their reputation for extreme reactions led them to be called the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). Twice in Luke 9, Jesus rebuked them for overreacting to situations. Once, when a man was casting out demons in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:49) and with their Samaritan reaction (Luke 9: 54).
No matter what prompted their overzealous reaction, James and John passionately served Jesus. Despite their good intentions, human frailties led them to lose focus on their mission. Do you ever want to call down judgment on people simply because you don’t like them? As I studied Luke 9:45, I was moved to reflect on my own frailties and how they interfere with my witness as a follower of Christ. I can and do, overreact at times. How about you? Can you relate?
Other important considerations are included in verses 55 and 56.
55But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’
First, verse 55 contains a truth that is both threatening and consoling at the same time. Part “a” of verse 55 indicates Jesus rebuked James and John for their thought of bringing fire down on the Samaritans. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the thought of being rebuked by anyone, especially Jesus. At one level, being reprimanded is not a thing to be desired.
On the other hand, both the Old and New Testaments say that God disciplines us because He loves us (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6). Knowing God’s rebukes originate in His love for us does take some of the sting out of correction, but correction never feels good. His ultimate goal is for us to become more like His Son, perfect in every way. His way, compared to our way, is always better.
Think about what Jesus said to James and John. “You don’t know what spirit you are exhibiting when you, imperfect as you are, call for the fire of judgment to fall from the sky.” To call for God to bring judgment on others ignored the fact that James and John were sinners too. This text reminds us that we are sinners too. That truth prompts us to pray for mercy rather than condemnation.
Verse 56 reveals the great truth that Jesus didn’t come to earth to condemn men but to save them. Redemption was His purpose. James and John had lost track of His purpose as they sought to bring the fire of judgment on the Samaritans. Jesus’ rebuke was to remind them of His plan and purpose. The text reminds us that salvation means life rather than death.
Finally, in part “b” of verse 56, we read, “And they went to another village.” I find that seemingly harmless bit of information to be quite concerning. Of course, everything in creation is moving forward toward God’s intended end. But this verse conveys a frightening consequence of ignoring the call of God. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 1. At least three times Paul mentions that God gave them up.
Our reality is this. God calls out to you and me in our lostness. God calls out to you and me because we could never find Him on our own. Men are given opportunity after opportunity to respond to His call. But at some point, after men continue to ignore God’s message, He gives them up to reprobate minds (Roman 1:28). That truth is the saddest thing I have ever heard.
Well, there you have it. Those six verses provide a brief context for the Easter story. First, remember that before there could be a resurrection, there had to be a death. Jesus committed Himself to go to Jerusalem and the cross in order to carry out God’s plan. His death was a necessary payment for the sins of mankind. As we celebrate Easter 2022, we must remember Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer.
Second, as His final journey to Jerusalem and the cross began, Jesus was the only one who was aware that the cross lay just ahead. The disciples were engaged in their own fantasies about what lay ahead. The Samaritans were enmeshed in prejudices of their own. Jesus was alone in His thinking.
Third, James and John point us toward our own impurities as believers. As hard as they tried to serve the living Christ, their impurities showed up. It was the loving voice of Christ that brought correction to their failures. We, too, must remember that we have impurities that a loving Christ stands ready to correct. We are blessed to have Him stand ready to show us the right way.
Finally, Jesus faithfully moved on to Jerusalem and the cross, as was His destiny. He calls us to join Him in faithfulness. Jesus’ death and burial had many witnesses. The empty tomb and His ascension into Heaven had many witnesses too. As we celebrate Easter 2022, we cannot forget this is not the end of the story. Jesus is coming back to earth in God’s time, and we must continue to ask ourselves, are we ready? Are we living as though Jesus is coming back to restore all creation?
Happy Easter!