Setting his face to go to Jerusalem
Luke 9:51-56
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 Then they went on to another village.
This passage is a significant turning point in the gospel of Luke. Jesus has “set his face to go to Jerusalem” – there is a showdown coming. The cross that Jesus has talked (Luke 9:21,22) about is inevitable. The coming showdown overshadows the rest of the gospel of Luke and gives an urgency to the rest of the book. Jesus has things he needs to teach the disciples before the end comes.
To maximize his remaining time, Jesus sends messengers ahead to tell people he is coming (prepare the way of the Lord). But one town wants nothing to do with Jesus, so James and John (the Sons of Thunder) propose they ask God to send fire from heaven to burn up the town. Here is a lesson Jesus teaches his followers: The message of Jesus will be rejected, but that is not a reason to have those who reject the message destroyed. The God of love does not retaliate when he is rejected, he keeps on loving, moving on to the next place hoping for a more welcoming response. (These themes reappear in Luke 10:1-12.)
As we speak the good news, at times we will be rejected. We are invited to follow the Jesus path of not retaliating, not fighting back. Sometimes to keep banging on the door will just turn people further away from Jesus. Our invitation is to be willing to share the news about Jesus and if it is rejected to move on to what will hopefully be a more welcoming response.
The gracious love of God in Jesus Christ is offered to all. Some will reject, some will accept, the difference in response should not cause us to be discouraged or to stop sharing the amazing news about Jesus.
PRAYER:
Lord God, the story of your Son, Jesus Christ, is good news, we want others to know this news. Give us the courage to speak, the wisdom to know when to keep silent, and the faith to trust you to bring the good news to all people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.