If we follow the story of Luke’s Gospel, up until now the disciples have been in their “home territory” of Galilee. They are reasonably comfortable here. They know the towns and are familiar with the Galilean way of life. They were mostly among ‘their kind of people’… Then everything changed.
Luke 9:51 begins what’s called Luke’s “journey narrative” where Jesus deliberately initiates a journey towards Jerusalem with His disciples. Here, Jesus begins to take His disciples to a whole new depth. He wants to enlarge their understanding, their capacity, and in particular, their experience of what it means to follow Him.
Determination
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem… Luke 9:51 (NKJV)
This journey begins with Jesus’ resolve and determination to move towards Jerusalem. Notice that in Jesus’ mind this is not a journey towards the cross, but towards His ascension where he was “received up” to heaven (which then leads to the coming of the Holy Spirit). The journey is to prepare the disciples for what’s to come, not just at the cross, but through into the book of Acts. And that journey needs to take them beyond their comfort zone.
…and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. Luke 9:52-53 (NKJV)
Instead of skirting around Samaria, which is what Jews travelling from Galilee would normally do, Jesus travels directly through Samaria. The Samaritans were half-Jews, but were counted as non-Jews by the Jews. Jews and Samaritans had a mutual hatred of one another. Jesus and the disciples are therefore travelling through hostile territory – and Jesus is not welcomed in some of the Samaritan villages.
Correction
And 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?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For 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)
Just prior to leaving Galilee, James and John had been with Peter at Jesus’ transfiguration and seen the glory and power of God (Luke 9:28-36). It seems that they now want to use God’s power to take revenge on those who shut Jesus out of their village.
But Jesus is wanting to expand their narrow view as Jews. He wants to encourage them to be more inclusive of others who are not like them. Jesus came for the whole world, and as a starting point the disciples will need to adjust their attitude towards the Samaritans. Where the disciples saw enemies, Jesus sees a harvest (Luke 10:2). That’s why Jesus rebukes James and John. They did not realize that in wanting revenge they were actually partnering with a wrong spirit – one that was against the priorities of God’s Kingdom.
Have you found that one of the first things God begins to work in is our “fleshly” reactions? Grasping hold of God’s perspective usually requires us to examine our own responses and be willing to let go of some of our skewed attitudes and beliefs. We certainly don’t want to be guilty of partnering with the wrong things or possibly moving against God’s purposes.
Transformation
It turns out that this journey through Samaria isn’t primarily about the Samaritans. It is about the disciples. They need to be transformed. Each of Jesus’ disciples will be confronted along this ongoing journey. They will all have to make some uncomfortable choices as they continue. And unfortunately some will not be willing to continue to follow Him (see Luke 9:57-62).
So maybe you need to rejoice if you have been taken out of your comfort zone recently! It could be the ideal opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to transform some attitudes and reactions. And sometimes we do falter. Remember that even though James and John were rebuked by Jesus, they continued to walk with Him. When we mess up, we are not excluded in any way by God. We just need to ask His forgiveness, make the necessary change, and then continue the journey. And He’s with us every step of the way.
