"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."
Today's lesson demonstrates the compassion Jesus felt, even for those who disagreed with Him and did not want Him among them.
This is also a lesson that should be applied to the lives of modern Christians. We should indeed, as Jesus did, have respect for the feelings and decisions of others, even when we might consider them to be wrong.
Should we always stand up for our Christian principles as they apply to our own lives? Absolutely! Should we try to force those principles on those who are unwilling to accept them?NO!
When confronted with the contention, Jesus simply selected another place to prepare for His sacrificial ordeal so as not to cause problems in the Samaritan village.
Therefore, when we our efforts in life are met with defiance, instead of forcing the issue, we should simply find another way.~
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