Luke 9:51-56
Samaritan Opposition
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.
REFLECTION
Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He knew the consequences of his final journey there. Yet he was purposeful, determined, and unwavering despite the pleas from his disciples. His disciples were sent ahead to prepare things for him. This Samaritan village rejected him because he was going to Jerusalem. The Samaritans believed that Mount Gerizim was a sacred mountain on which they were to worship on. They believed that Moses had instructed them to protect the mountain. They regarded Mount Gerizim as sacred rather than Jerusalem’s Temple Mount as the location chosen by God for a holy temple. There was racial tension, prejudice and animosity between the Samaritans and Jews despite the fact they worshipped the same God. The disciples clearly embraced this prejudice by wanting to retaliate against the village. Jesus however rejects violence as an answer. Violence only begets violence as we sadly see even today in that region. For reconciliation to be fruitful both sides need to let go of their prejudicial stance and be open to a new way of being. Having the courage to accept that you might be in the wrong or the courage to forgive.
Prejudice is a stain on anyone’s character. To treat someone with contempt, dislike, bias and even violence because they are different from yourself is reprehensible. We have laws in place to protect people but when it happens it profoundly affects the person or community involved. Prosecution is only valuable if it stops further occurrences happening. We need to change the hearts and minds of people. People who have systematically been abused have a right to feel angry. Jesus however advocated reconciliation rather than retaliation.
QUESTIONS
- When have you felt rejected?
- How did it make you feel? What was your reaction?
- Have you witnessed/experienced racial tension?
- If so, how did that affect you?
- Have you experienced prejudice of any kind? How was it manifested? What impact did it make on you? in what way did you react?
