Finding a Place of Welcome

Luke 9:51-56

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.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[a]?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.56 Then he and his disciples went to another village. (NIV from www.biblegateway.com)

It is that time.  Jesus has been preparing his disciple for the trip they will begin today.  He has sent them out on their own, he has now twice warned them of his impending departure, he has corrected them when they haven't gotten it.  Now it is time to begin that walk to Jerusalem, the center of it all.  He set's out resolutely with a mission in mind, nothing will deter him.  He wants to go straight there.  He chooses to go through Samaria.  Typically when one travels to Jerusalem they will go around Samaria because Samaria and Jerusalem are enemies.  They do not get along.  To go through Samaria to Jerusalem is to risk ones life but Jesus does not let this deter him.  He will meet with the enemy.  His choice to go through Samaria signals to us an example that we are all part of the Kingdom of God and we need to learn to erase the borders, to live at peace with one another.  Jesus, however does not just show up.  He makes preparations by sending 2 messengers ahead to prepare a way for him.  He sends messengers to let the Samaritans know they are coming through, to get permission for the journey.  This village didn't accept that.  They said he was not welcome.  What did Jesus do?  He respected that they were not ready.  James and John wanted to "call fire down from heaven."  Jesus rebuked them.  Violence was not the answer.  One translation goes further to say that Jesus told them he didn't come to destroy life but to save it.  So, instead of forcing their way into and through a Samaritan Village that did not welcome them and were not ready for them, they chose a different village to go through and a different Village welcomed them.  

Who is not welcoming you?  We read everyday about different places that are not welcoming to this group or that group.  The example Jesus gives us is one of diplomacy.  It's not effective to force your way in with "guns a blazing."  It is not transformative to "rain down fire from heaven."  Earlier Jesus had instructed his disciples about people who did not welcome them.  He said  "If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”  (Luke 9:5-6, NIV at www.biblegateway.com)  Jesus here sets the example.  He moves on.  If you are not welcome in one place, rest assured you will be welcome in another.  Find that place of welcome for you and pray for the transformation of hearts in the places that do not welcome.  Be a bringer of peace.  Make preparations for Peace.  

Thanks be to God.