Tuesday 24th June
Read Luke 9:51-56
“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?’ 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.” (NIVUK)
It is unclear why the Samaritan village refused hospitality to Jesus. It could be simply because He was a Jew, indicated by His destination. The traditional hostility would be reason enough. But, like the woman at the well, it could also have been their assumption that He would not want to be there anyway, so why should they go to the trouble?
Considering the traditional bigotry between Jews and Samaritans it is fascinating that they even attempted to enter the village at all. Perhaps they have seen enough in their time following Jesus to not notice such things? Their response to rejection though suggests that they remain fiercely protective of their Lord despite all they have seen of His inclusive practices.
We all have instinctive biases. They shape our attitudes to others in a myriad of ways, often negatively. Spend time in prayer now reflecting on who you may be biased against unconsciously. We can still love Jesus as ferociously as the disciples and love others also.
