Devotion:
Read Luke 9:51-56.
This passage indicates the hostility between Jews and Samaritans, which was strong in Jesus' time. James and John were furious when they were not received in the village of the Samaritans and wanted revenge. They were ready to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate the Samaritans. I suppose it took all the self-restraint Jesus had when he rebuked them. Jesus called these brothers “Sons of Thunder” for a reason! The disciples are supposed to follow Jesus’ example of love and grace and mercy, but they want to rain fire down from heaven. Can anyone relate? Do you get fired up when someone is mistreating a loved one? When injustice is happening, do you want to spout out in anger? The Sons of Thunder wanted to do that. Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village. The Greek term “rebuke” is quite a strong word in Greek; the term basically means, “Stop it! Don’t you do that!” Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. He was on a mission, and James and John were taking Jesus’ eyes off his goal, so he basically says to the disciples, “Let’s not take our eye off the goal. Let’s just go to another village.” Let’s keep our eyes on our goal as followers of Christ as we strive to reflect him in all we think, feel, say, and do.
Personal Worship Option:
When feelings of revenge, anger, and judgment enter your heart, place those feelings before the Lord and pray to become more like Christ in your attitudes.
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