WHAT SPIRIT OR ATTITUDE DO YOU HAVE TODAY?
Jesus set his face to go directly to Jerusalem, passing through Samaria on the way. Jews traveling to Jerusalem from Galilee, normally went around Samaria, but Jesus did not. He was urgently focused on achieving his mission in Jerusalem and took the direct route. Yet when messengers from Jesus entered a Samaritan village to prepare for him, they did not receive him. At this, James and John, whom Jesus had nicknamed, the Sons of Thunder, offered to command fire down from heaven like Elijah to consume the village.
But Jesus rebuked them, warning them that the spirit they were displaying was not from him. For his mission was to save, not to destroy.
As we approach Passion Week, let us remember Christ’s mission of salvation. As we follow Jesus, we will encounter those who will not receive him, but our attitude, our spirit, must not be to respond with anger or judgment. For that is not the Spirit of Christ. No, following Jesus and being filled with his Spirit, we must be ready to willingly lay down our lives for others. For we carry Christ’s gospel of salvation.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us not to avoid difficult people or places as we ask them to receive Jesus. Give us Your Spirit to see people saved, not judged. While others avoid and seek to go around such people, strengthen us to follow Jesus as He goes toward them. Let this next week of Christ’s Passion remind us that we too have been sent on a mission to save and not destroy. In Jesus’ name, amen.