If you read the suggested passage each day, by the end of 30 days you will have read the entire New Testament.
Day 8
30-day reading plan: Luke 7 – 11
Daily Verse: Luke 9: 54
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
30-day reading plan: Luke 7 – 11
Daily Verse: Luke 9: 54
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
Jesus had decided to travel through Samaria to Jerusalem, on His way to the cross. Some of His followers
were sent ahead to prepare for His arrival. For some reason, the Samaritans wanted nothing to do with
Him. It could be that they didn't want all the traffic through town and the strain such a great following
would put on the city. It could be that they knew He wasn't going to stay long enough to teach and heal so
they didn't want Him to come if He wasn't going to do what they would have wanted Him to do. It could be
that they had started to hear some grumbling about Him and didn't want to get caught up in the trouble He
was going to.
The Disciples James and John have an astonishing reaction. They offer to call down fire from Heaven like the prophet Elijah had done on the Samaritans in 2 Kings 1. A hefty judgment for the Samaritans’ rejection.
We may have the same inclination to reject Jesus when it seems He isn't going to do what we want Him to do so we try to do it ourselves. We may reject His way if it seems it's not going to be easy so we go our own way. Luckily, at least I think, James and John aren't ready to call down fire when we go our own way or do it ourselves. Instead, Jesus patiently waits on us to choose to follow His way or do it His way.
It is not easy to follow Jesus. There is a cost to discipleship. We may be asked to do things we don’t think we’re capable of doing. There is sacrifice required in following Jesus. God gives us the gifts and grace to succeed and patience in our failings, not fire and brimstone.
The Disciples James and John have an astonishing reaction. They offer to call down fire from Heaven like the prophet Elijah had done on the Samaritans in 2 Kings 1. A hefty judgment for the Samaritans’ rejection.
We may have the same inclination to reject Jesus when it seems He isn't going to do what we want Him to do so we try to do it ourselves. We may reject His way if it seems it's not going to be easy so we go our own way. Luckily, at least I think, James and John aren't ready to call down fire when we go our own way or do it ourselves. Instead, Jesus patiently waits on us to choose to follow His way or do it His way.
It is not easy to follow Jesus. There is a cost to discipleship. We may be asked to do things we don’t think we’re capable of doing. There is sacrifice required in following Jesus. God gives us the gifts and grace to succeed and patience in our failings, not fire and brimstone.
Question for reflection:
When was the last time you rejected Jesus’ way for your own?
When was the last time you rejected Jesus’ way for your own?
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