Doves On Distant Oaks

I wonder what it must have been like to be rebuked by Jesus? He did so at times to his disciples and I don't think it was a simple, "Now, now, boys. You know that's not right." If Jesus rebuked them like he rebuked the Pharisees, they probably felt about as small as a baby ant. Funny how one simple word like "rebuke" can conjure up such powerful imagery.

Two disciples, James and John, in particular had a propensity for getting into trouble. Often we think of John as a soft-spoken, almost effeminate apostle. That's because he was called the Apostle of Love. But Jesus had named both James and John the "Sons of Thunder" so I imagine they were both quite loud and opinionated.

Such was the case one day on the road through Samaria. All the apostles had just returned from casting out demons and healing the sick—an ability Jesus had imparted on them for a time. They must have been feeling pretty full of themselves. Who can blame them? After all, even long-time followers of Christ today fall into that same trap. We have to be wary of the tendency to act self-righteously as we mature in our faith.

So, when the Samaritans turned them away, James and John immediately thought of retribution.


Imagine the audacity and the arrogance. If anyone was going to bring down fire it would be Jesus. There's a reason why we, as sin-filled humans, are not given that kind of power. The likelihood for abuse would be astronomical. Just about everyone on the face of the earth would be consumed by fire.


And what was the nature of the offense? The Samaritans were Jews, albeit ones who had intermarried with people of different faiths and so were considered to be less pure. They had their own Temple, just like at Jerusalem, and all they wanted was for Jesus to celebrate Passover with them. Jesus, however, knew he had an appointment with the cross and could not tarry. Feeling insulted, the Samaritans basically told Jesus to be on his way.

Is that worthy of a death sentence? And lest we forget, after Christ's death, an evangelist named Philip went to the cities of Samaria proclaiming Christ, many of whom listened, saw the signs that he performed, and believed (Acts 8:5-6). Many of those would not be around to hear the message if James and John had been able to have their way that day.

Of course, Jesus knew all this. Hence the rebuke. How often do we need the same rebuke? How many times have we wished to call down fire on people for an affront against us. These are the very ones Jesus wants us to reach out to and bring the message of His Kingdom.




Keywords: Revenge


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