skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Tips number three: when we feel that we are rejected and neglected, do not be panic! Crush leads to unwise decisions. Such decisions results often in misfortune both to ourselves and to others. Learning that the group was not welcome by the leaders of a Samaritan village, the sons of thunder were upset (9.54). John and James, two out of three most impressive disciples of Jesus reacted emotionally. Both disciples proposed to call the fire from heaven (to destroy the village) without considering some significant elements. Please do examine some of the considerations with me:
- First, both John and James were over confident that Jesus will approve their proposal. For the Jews, the Samaritans were absolutely not friends. In the time of Jesus, the Jews did not interact with the Samaritans. The relationship between the two was severely awful (cf. Jn 4). Knowing that they were not welcome to enter through the Samaritan village, both disciples were fired by hatred and spirit to revenge. They showed no manners; they were rude; they were not able to appreciate differences; they failed to respect others' point of view; they were extremely exclusive and less tolerant. John and James miscalculated Jesus. The heart of Jesus was fired by love and compassion. Jesus appreciated differences and was tolerant; Jesus seemed to offer the village second chances - we never know, perhaps sometimes they might graciously welcome him. Jesus did not exercise his divine authority to abuse the Samaritans, instead he showed manners and humility by yielding to another village.
- Second, both John and James were very arrogant. If Jesus were to approve their proposal to call fire from heaven to destroy the village, do we think John and James were capable to do the task? The calling of fire from heaven recalls the story of the great prophet Elijah. Elijah was a 'sign and wonder' prophet in the Old Testament. God's authority was vividly reflected on the life and ministry of Elijah. But, who were John and James, and the rest of the disciples? The Gospels tell us their failures more rather than their successes. In Luke 9.37-43a, they failed to cast demons from a boy, and the crowd were complaining towards their failure. John and James did not only miscalculated Jesus, but they also miscalculated themselves. They thought they were better than who they really were. They overvalued their identity, capability, authority, skill, and power. They were not aware that they were far different from the great Old Testament hero, Elijah. Their proposal (and if Jesus were to approve) will bring nothing but shame to themselves and to the clan of Zebedee.
- Third, the decision to destroy the whole village was not fair. If the village's size was ordinary, they might have around a thousand people lived in it. Do we think all of them including babies, children and women refused to welcome Jesus? I do not think they did. Those who refused to welcome Jesus were only the leaders of the village. They were most likely male, rich and powerful. The rest of the village did not care who will enter through their neighborhood. If Jesus were to approve the fire to come to destroy the village, Christian faith would have been far from justice. The overruled spirit of revenge will be a devastating force to the innocence. The 9/11 is an example of how hatred fails to do justice. The sons of thunders seemed to neglect the aspect of justice. The New Testament (solidly supported by the Old Testament) convincingly shows that the religion of Jesus was established on two solid feet; Justice and Compassion. Justice is a manifestation of the righteousness of God, while Compassion represents the unconditional love of God.
- Fourth, the Samaritans did not hate Jesus personally. If Jesus were not a Jew and he were not on his way to Jerusalem, the village's leaders will generously welcome him. The conflict was not between Jesus and the village. The conflict was initiated hundred years before the incident. The leaders of the village did what they were suppose to do. According to the local custom, it was necessary for them to refuse Jesus. They simply followed the tradition and obeyed the rules of the community. There was no personal hatred towards Jesus. We, as John and James, often fail to see rejection from this point of view. When we experience rejection, it is not unnatural for us to think and to feel that the person who refuses to accept us, intentionally desires to hurt us. Such a narrow minded conclusion is destructive. People may not welcome us in places we want to be, unfortunately seldom we are able to see that reasons behind such a refusal is not personal but professional. The emotional reaction performed by John and James were surely unnecessary and foolish.
- When the difficulties are mounting, when the feeling of loneliness is on top, when no one seems to care for us, and when the neglect looks very harsh, we are encouraged to stay calm with God and try to evaluate things all over again considering all necessary elements related to ourselves and others. In that situation, we are called to have peace with God and ourselves: that is when we regain our confidence that God accepts us always, and that we are willing to accept our own SELF. When the divine peace is there, we are ready for wise decisions and fruitful outcomes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment