rejectors be damned?

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?” But he turned and rebuked them.

Luke 9:54-55

Followers of Jesus are not dispensers of God’s wrath and judgment. Yes, we follow the only true and righteous Judge. Yes, one day all justice will be delivered by Jesus. But Christians are not the ones called to mete out God’s wrath on sin.

Ironically, in this gospel account, Jesus was getting closer to Jerusalem, focused on His upcoming passion week and sacrifice. That is the setting for this shocking episode. Traveling through Samaria, Jesus sent messengers ahead into a village hoping to be received with hospitality. But the classic rivalry between Samaritans and Jews met them with a cold refusal. They were not welcome. James and John gave into the racial hatred and were offended. They suggested that hell was what that village should get right then and there. And Jesus would have none of His disciples’ hate. He turned immediately to them to address their calloused bigotry and rebuked them for it. They found another village that was receptive.

When a culture hates Christ and the truths Christians represent, we can be tempted to adopt the “go to hell” attitude of James and John. And I believe Jesus would rebuke us sharply. In the gospel of Luke, as the story progresses, Jesus is going to soon lay down His life for ALL who would reject Him. And He came to save, giving us a message of salvation, not a call to damnation. The world is already damned. A day of judgment has been appointed. Jesus will lead all judgment. But until then, a season of grace is here. Freedom to proclaim the gospel is everywhere. The world may impose the consequences, but they are trivial! We are called to respond to rejection not with revenge, but in obedience we should obey the call to invite sinners to come to receive mercy from Jesus!

It is too easy to just let a fallen world be damned. It is much more Christlike to love people, even in their lost state and in their defiance, calling them to see a Savior Who loves them despite their enmity! Even when sinners lead a culture AWAY from Jesus, we should hope for grace and pray God grants them faith so that some may be saved. We aren’t the dispensers of judgment. We should not darkly comfort our vindictiveness. God, help us stay clear of that kind of hate. We are the givers of grace. God will settle it all in His Day. Will we believe this?