Devotion: Luke 9:51-55 - Facing Rejection
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.
The Lord rebuked me while meditating on this passage.
KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
Jesus was very clear about His purpose in life. He kept to the script for His life. He knew that His purpose for coming to the earth was to be crucified for the sins of the world outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Hence He purposed to go to Jerusalem. He also knew the time for the purpose to be fulfilled...as the time approached. In fact he was resolute about His purpose. He very well knew that death was waiting for Him at Jerusalem. In other words, he was steadfast in fulfilling His purpose. Paul said, "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
Even when the agony of suffering was hanging over the horizon, Jesus still wanted to reach out to another Samaritan village. One more soul,,,,one more village....Even while hanging on the cross, he reached out to a thief. Purpose, passion or what is it that drove Him, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to seek and save the lost?
PREPARE FOR REJECTION
Even Jesus the mighty miracle worker was rejected by the people. How much more you and me. Today people do not want to listen to godly advise. They only want to hear what soothes their ears. Speak about prosperity and blessings and you will have a throng following you. Speak about sin and repentance, you will not be welcome. That's the stark reality. The normal human reaction will be to react just like the way John and James reacted. That's how I reacted recently. Bring down a curse or hope something evil will befall them. But not the master. He reacted as a spirit-led person. He continued to another village. He dismissed rejection as though it was part of His job description. He continued with His mission. How often the carnal overrules the spiritual.
Another off-shoot of the carnal nature will be to sow such bitterness into others. James and John tried to influence Jesus with their "righteous anger." Righteous as it seemed but it lacked the moral high ground.
DETERMINE TO PRESS ON
In the midst of failure, rejection and persecution, Jesus continued. Moved over to another village. There are others who need help. Allow God deal with those who reject but lets press on to fulfill the purpose God has placed us in this world. There's much that needs to be done. Be bold to preach the Word in season and out of season. Don't give up nor let anger slip in. Rather let love over-rule and pray for God's mercy for those who reject sound counsel and salvation.
Follow Christ example.
Phi 2: 5-11 ...have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Lord rebuked me while meditating on this passage.
KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
Jesus was very clear about His purpose in life. He kept to the script for His life. He knew that His purpose for coming to the earth was to be crucified for the sins of the world outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Hence He purposed to go to Jerusalem. He also knew the time for the purpose to be fulfilled...as the time approached. In fact he was resolute about His purpose. He very well knew that death was waiting for Him at Jerusalem. In other words, he was steadfast in fulfilling His purpose. Paul said, "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
Even when the agony of suffering was hanging over the horizon, Jesus still wanted to reach out to another Samaritan village. One more soul,,,,one more village....Even while hanging on the cross, he reached out to a thief. Purpose, passion or what is it that drove Him, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to seek and save the lost?
PREPARE FOR REJECTION
Even Jesus the mighty miracle worker was rejected by the people. How much more you and me. Today people do not want to listen to godly advise. They only want to hear what soothes their ears. Speak about prosperity and blessings and you will have a throng following you. Speak about sin and repentance, you will not be welcome. That's the stark reality. The normal human reaction will be to react just like the way John and James reacted. That's how I reacted recently. Bring down a curse or hope something evil will befall them. But not the master. He reacted as a spirit-led person. He continued to another village. He dismissed rejection as though it was part of His job description. He continued with His mission. How often the carnal overrules the spiritual.
Another off-shoot of the carnal nature will be to sow such bitterness into others. James and John tried to influence Jesus with their "righteous anger." Righteous as it seemed but it lacked the moral high ground.
DETERMINE TO PRESS ON
In the midst of failure, rejection and persecution, Jesus continued. Moved over to another village. There are others who need help. Allow God deal with those who reject but lets press on to fulfill the purpose God has placed us in this world. There's much that needs to be done. Be bold to preach the Word in season and out of season. Don't give up nor let anger slip in. Rather let love over-rule and pray for God's mercy for those who reject sound counsel and salvation.
Follow Christ example.
Phi 2: 5-11 ...have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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