August 1, 2022

Passage Read: Luke 9-10
Meditation Verses: 9:52-56

Thought

James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans who didn't welcome Jesus. They were thinking of Elijah who called down fire on the soldiers sent to bring him to the king. Three times, he called fire from heaven to burn up the soldiers sent to him. The last was humble and Elijah was told to go with them. Elijah certainly did this according to the Lord's instruction, so Jesus certainly isn't rebuking Elijah. But for His disciples to want to call down fire on the Samaritans for refusing Jesus, this doesn't fit with what Jesus wants. Jesus came to save men's lives, not to take vengeance, not yet. Jesus wasn't in danger from the Samaritans, and when His life was to be in danger, then He would submit to their abuse, for the sake of all mankind.

Application

Jesus never took vengeance against anyone who opposed Him while He walked the earth. He will take vengeance when He returns, but not now. He rebuked those who opposed Him, but didn't ask God for their lives. Neither did Paul, though he cursed those who opposed the Gospel, he called for one to become blind for a time. We shouldn't seek anyone's death, though we may desire someone be soundly rebuked, our hope should be that they repent. If they die early, that is for God to decide and according to His will, but my desire should be that men are saved, not cut off. Especially because I know that those who reject the Lord will be eternally tormented.