Luke 9:51-56

God loves every person created so much that He gave His own body and blood for our ransom. He wants no one to perish but all to have everlasting life with Him. If we are His hands and feet in this dying world, for the love of God, let’s get the word out to as many as will listen of this abounding, unconditional love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the mind, body and heart of God made manifest to man.

The journey to Jerusalem proceeded only according to God’s design and in His timing. Jesus was nearing the destiny of His mission—that is, His death. Luke’s Gospel uniquely emphasizes this journey to Jerusalem. Luke records much of Jesus’ teaching and parables on this journey as Jesus contrasted His way of suffering with the way of the Jewish religious leaders.

Though there was deep hostility between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus ministered to both groups. James and John, the “sons of thunder,” wanted Jesus to bring judgment upon the Samaritan villages that refused to respond to His message. Their demand for judgment was antithetical to Jesus’ loving response.


Luke 9:51-56

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And 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, just as Elijah did?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.