Jesus Corrects His Followers Without Rejection: James & John Call Fire on the Samaritans
In Luke 9:51 you find Jesus heading for Jerusalem and he has to pass through a Samaritan Village. He asks for lodging but the Samaritans learn that he’s headed for Jerusalem and reject his request. James and John are furious about this. They probably remember Elisha calling down fire on the 450 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:16) and in the same way they want to call down fire on the Samaritan people and burn them all up. They are really offended that this village rejected their Master and Jesus has to discipline His followers for their misplaced anger. Rebuke is not a gentle little note, it’s stronger than that.
Online Definitions of “rebuke” include: 1) Express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions or 2) to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand. (Synonyms: admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, reprove, tick off, burn one’s ears, get after, get on).
This incident is later in Jesus’ ministry. He’s getting close to the cross and his disciples still don’t fully understand how committed he is to rescuing human beings. He has to strongly clarify His whole ministry again: He didn’t come to destroy people’s lives, he came to save them and give them life, now and in Heaven! It is a sharp rebuke! But interesting, and very importantly, there is no rejection!
The NIV and other translations have a foot note at the end of verse 56. It says, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” It is that wonderful combination of Jesus – on one side He sharply corrects His followers and on the other He speaks of His deep concern for all people! You can see the Revelation 5:5 Lion and the Lamb once again. The crux however, is that He never turns to the disciples and rejects them saying, “Enough! You blew it one time too many. I am getting other guys to build my leadership team!” No, He does what He always does – He instructs them.
And God is just the same as Jesus. He may discipline us or correct us but he’s not rejecting us. He will instruct us. When we know this about God it gives us a security to embrace and learn from his discipline and his correction instead of getting overwhelmed by it. Rather than get offended and quit, we receive the correction because we know the One who does it is also radically committed to us! What does it take for Jesus to give up His whole divine life in the Throne Room of God, where He is worshipped by the Angels and knows limitless freedom in the Universe, to become a mere human baby and enter the world?