Monday 21 May 2012
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." (v. 51)
Background
This passage is a beginning of a long section (
It is obvious that Jesus' ministry is far from over and there ismuch that he has yet to teach his disciples. The journey wasscheduled to go through Samaria for a short cut and Jesus sent hisdisciples ahead to investigate the way. As Jews and Samaritans hadnot much dealings, violence and murder was not unusual to occur.However, the Samaritans declined to receive Jesus because his facewas turned in the direction of Jerusalem. The hot-blooded brothers,James and John wished to retaliate, but Jesus held them back andthe company passed on to another village. Luke's Gospel points outthe contrasting attitudes of Jesus and his disciples toward therefusal of the Samaritans to receive them.
To Ponder
As the cross awaits Jesus in Jerusalem, how farare you prepared to follow him? All the way?
What are the problems that Jesus' followers facetoday? And what grace do we need to complete the journey withhim?