It was not an easy task for a little guy, but I tried to do the best I could. It's not easy to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and in this passage of Scripture (Luke 9:51-56) the disciples learned three big steps in their journey with Him. They are steps that we need to learn as well.
The Step Of Steadfast Perseverance (Luke 9:51)
Jesus knew that His time of suffering for the world, was not
far off. And even though this was not the journey to Jerusalem, that would result in His crucifixion, He determined (in the process of time) to accomplish this mission, the Father sent Him to do. My question is; why do we as Christians, fail to demonstrate that same determination, and perseverance, in accomplishing the will of the Lord, in our lives?
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy to not get attached to "the affairs of this life." (2 Timothy 2:4) We too often are like a cat playing with a ball of yarn. It is both a fascination, and a trap. We become so fascinated with the affairs of this life, that we become trapped by them, and distracted from fulfilling the will of God for our lives. We are fascinated with the thrill, but then deeply trapped in an entanglement of sorrows.
The Step of Strong Patience (Luke 9:52-55)
As Jesus and His disciples continued on this journey to Jerusalem, they tried to find lodging in a Samaritan village. But there had been so much conflict, between the Jews and Samaritans over the years, that it was no surprise, they were refused lodging. The Samaritans hated the Jews so much, that they showed hostility towards them, in their journey to Jerusalem, to attend special events. When James and John saw what was happening, they asked the Lord, if they could do like Elijah, and call down fire, to consume them. Have you ever become so angry, so impatient with someone, that you wanted God, to do something to them. To punish them in some way? That's not the love, and patience of Christ. What do you do, when you want to put out a fire? Do you put more fuel on the fire? No, you throw something on the fire, that is cooling, yet consuming, like water, or dirt. The right thing to apply to those conflicts in our relationships, is love. Love is the cooling, yet consuming agent, that will put out the fires of hostility, and hatred, and bring about restoration in time. It takes time to put out a big fire. Patience is the key. In the process of time, the application of love, will surely help, to bring about forgiveness and restoration.
The Step Of Securing A Purpose (Luke 9:56)
After Jesus rebukes James and John for their negative response to this situation, He says to them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." Is it a self-centered spirit? A spirit of pride, and arrogance? Then following this, He states His purpose for coming into the world.
It was not to exercise judgment, by fire and sword, or by plagues of destruction, but to bring salvation to man-kind. "The Son of man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."(v.56) As Christians, that is to be our purpose as well. We know that in the physical body, every organ, every muscle, every nerve, is designed to help the body, to be productive, and to fulfill life's purposes. Each one of us as Christians, have an important role to play, in accomplishing this purpose of reaching out to man-kind, and bringing people to salvation, in Jesus Christ. Do you see yourself this way. This is how the Lord, sees you.
The greatest work in the world, is the work of reconciliation. Reconciling people to Jesus Christ. How involved are you? The disciples learned three steps in their Journey with Jesus. I pray that we will learn what is involved in our commitment to Him, and faithfully stay on course. GP
Foot prints of Jesus, that make the pathway glow, We will follow the steps of Jesus, where er they go."
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