Knowing The Word in Luke 9:49-56, For and Against

The disciples had failed in a recent exorcism and then watched someone else succeed. Jesus tells them that anyone using his name to fight evil is welcome. In the next section, the Samaritans’ feud with the Jews was so bitter, they didn’t want to have anything to do with someone dead set on going to Jerusalem through their territory. James and John want to make the Samaritans pay for their inhospitality. They have a total misunderstanding of Christian service, which Jesus will now correct.

49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to despise or oppose what I do not understand.

William Penn, 1644-1718