Luke 9:51-55
Luke 9:51 (KJB)
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he
stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
The ministry of Jesus was now drawing to a close and the time was at hand that
He should begin His trek to Jerusalem. Even though Jesus had done many healings,
cast out many devils, and even fed thousands, He never lost sight of the reason
which he came to earth for and that was to die for His Elect. (Isa 50:7 KJV)
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore
have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He
steadfastly set or fixed Himself to head toward Jerusalem knowing what awaited
Him. Isaiah stated He set His face like a flint. A flint was a piece of hard
quartz which was even used in the old flintlock rifles. Here were are being
given the picture that Jesus was heading toward Jerusalem with a firm
understanding of His mission and there would be no diversion.
Luke 9:52 (KJB)
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village
of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
Since Jesus was in the area of Galilee and was starting His journey south, He
had dispatched James and John from His group to a certain village in Samaria for
the purpose of finding accommodations since there were many who were with Him. A
large group would have strained the resources of a small village if they had
arrived unexpectedly. Jesus always believed in preparation. It is not recorded
which village this was.
Luke 9:53 (KJB)
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem.
Since the people of the village knew that Jesus was going to Jerusalem, they had
refused them the accommodations. There was a big rift between the Samaritans and
the Jews because the Jews saw them as half breeds and were considered by them to
be Gentiles, which meant they were unclean. They also used the Samaritan
Pentateuch but rejected the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures especially the
prophets. It was a bitter feud between them and most Jews when traveling north
would go around Samaria instead of going through it fearing they would be
defiled. Not only was hospitality refused, they had even spurned friendship as
Jesus was extending the hand of friendship.
Luke 9:54 (KJB)
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that
we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
James and John were very indignant over the treatment they received. They were
refused permission even to enter the village and pass through. Then they had
gone back to report this attitude to Jesus. When they came back, James and John
then lived up to their names, “Sons of Thunder.” In fact, this incident may be
where their moniker originated. They had asked Jesus if they should call down
fire from Heaven and consume them just as Elijah did. It is something that they
remembered this Scriptural event very easily, yet kept forgetting about the part
of the suffering servant.
Luke 9:55 (KJB)
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Rebuked - Censure, warn or admonish
Jesus then turns to James and John and rebukes them sharply for what they wanted
to do. Their plan was of a vindictive nature which would cause much harm. How
could they reach these people with the Gospel if their desire was to destroy
them? Ours is not to administer any type of vengeance toward anyone who rejects
us or the Gospel. (Rom 12:19 KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will
repay, saith the Lord. If there is any retribution, it will be doled out by
God who would have full and perfect knowledge of the situation. They were also
not considering another aspect. What about those who would become saved in the
future? The disciples did not know who was going to become saved and they would
not be able to if they were destroyed. Jesus warns them that they are not to be
of a vindictive spirit but to be of the Spirit which will indwell them. The Holy
Spirit brings life and not death. (John 6:63 KJV) It is the spirit that
quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they
are spirit, and they are life. James and John were not showing the true spirit of zeal but personal revenge and
pride. Both of these have no place in the kingdom of God. It is possible that
all the years they have heard that the Samaritans were unclean had built up such
a prejudice, that it bordered on the desire to eliminate them.