Bilateral Religious Prejudice

Scripture: When the time came for Him to be received up, He was steadfastly set to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers ahead of Him. They went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make things ready for Him, but they did not receive Him, because He was set to go to Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them and said, “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.” And they went to another village. Luke 9:51-56

Observation: There are two things going on here, and both of them have to do with religious prejudice.

First, the Samaritans won't accept Jesus staying in their village because he is on his way to Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover. As we know from the woman at the well, not only do the Jews and Samaritans not agree over their Judaic practices, but the practice most front-of-mind is proper worship. The Jews believe the faithful must go to the temple in Jerusalem, while the Samaritans go to worship on mountains. Therefore, the Samaritans are discriminating against Jesus not because he is the Messiah, but because he is any Jew going to Jerusalem. They are discriminating against his religious practices.

Second, James and John are prepared to destroy anyone who does not honor Jesus. There is no room in their hearts for growth or repentance - as soon as the Samaritan village has rejected Jesus, they are ready to curse it. Jesus rebukes them, declaring that they are still failing to understand the true spirit of the teaching of Jesus. Whether or not the Samaritans are in the wrong, they are to first be loved and saved, and that is the mission of the faithful.

Application: This is too obviously parallel to today's world. As always, it is amazing how the unchanged word of God applies to all times and generations.

How often are Christians today being rejected socially due to basic practices non-believers don't understand, like Sunday church attendance, belief in prayer and miracles, and faithful marriage? And how often are Christians quick and ready to attack and destroy those who, through their beliefs and/or lifestyles, reject Jesus ... people groups like homosexuals, Muslims, and unmarried families?

It is critical to note that Jesus did NOT go to the Samaritan village and correct them. He corrected James and John - the core leaders of his faithful followers. This "issues" was only addressed to them ... they were thinking/acting outside of the spirit of God's love.

So this is the lesson here. The Church is to always think and act toward others in the spirit of love. The actions of others against Christians will either be sorted out, or judged by God in his time.

Prayer: Lord, I start this week prepared to love others. May my actions align to your will, and may I love others and seek good for them in all things. I have power and authority to help many, and pray that I keep that focus this week. Amen.