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The leaders of the Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus (9.53). If we were disciples of Jesus and were there, we might like the sons of thunder become so upset. The refusal created emotional pain among the twelve, leading towards negative feeling. John, James and their fellows were burnt by the spirit of vengeance. The disciples of Jesus felt uneasy with such a harsh rejection. Their pride was hurt. For John and James, the attitude of the Samaritans was absolutely unacceptable. Who were the Samaritans? Were they better than Jews? Why did the Samaritans reject Jesus the king and the Messiah? Many more questions were actually active in the mind of the twelve, motivated by prejudice. Allow me to apply my imagination to approach the prime message of the passage.
- For us who are now believers of Jesus Christ, allow me to humbly ask this question, 'How many times had we refused to welcome Jesus before eventually we decided to follow him wholeheartedly?' Do we realize that in the past we were indeed like the leaders of that Samaritan village? Those who now welcome Jesus were in the past probably refused him. Those who now refuse Jesus may indeed in the future open to him. There is no proper reason for us to show hatred and to take any revenge towards those who stand against Jesus. Jesus had died for them too: he loves them and now is patiently waiting for them to return. Remember that Christ had died for us while we were still weak, sinners and enemies of him (Rom 5.1-11).
- To us, followers of Jesus, I ask another equally significant question, 'How many times have we been refusing to obey God? Christians belong to no one but Jesus. Sadly often we fail to welcome Jesus to reign over our lives. Rev 3.20 reminds us again and again that Jesus is now waiting in front of the door and knocking our hearts. Will we open that door widely for Jesus and allow him to rule over our lives? Many times we permanently lock that door, and in this case, again we are not different from the Samaritan leaders of the village. Luckily enough Jesus does not call fire from heaven to consume us.Though Jesus had died for us and washed our sins away, he never give up with our stubbornness. His love is eternal and his forgiveness is always available.
- We like John, James and the rest of the disciples are often tempted to judge and condemn other people based on their lacking and weaknesses, without realizing that (1) we were and probably are no different from those people; (2) those who are now in opposition against God may be God’s best friends sometimes in the future; (3) Jesus loves all people with their inherent weaknesses and lacking – including those who refuse to welcome him. The passage reminds us that judgment belongs to God alone. Our duty is not to revenge, but to forgive.
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