Children, Demons, & Fire from Heaven
July 29, 2023
Luke 9:46-56 | James 4:6-10
The disciples are a bunch of immature whiners.
Yes, yes, we have the benefit of hindsight vision 2000 years later, but come on: don’t you think that by this point of walking with Jesus they’d know that arguing about who is the best would not be something the Lord would like?
And what pettiness to complain that someone was trying to rid another human of a demon. This one actually surfaces quite a bit today. Like when an organization or group of people is helping someone(s) in need and some snide-wad watching complains that if “such people” are helped, more might show up. Like they’re cockroaches or rats or something.
And then James & John are ready to slaughter the Samaritans like they’re nothing human, too. It seems they still feel the rights to some kind of power or authority just because they knew Jesus first or something. Get off it, guys!
But then again…we all have blind spots. Planks in the eye, if you will.
Perhaps the lesson we can receive from these dimwits disciples concerns humility. In all things and all situations. A pause before speaking. Or not speaking at all. Just pick up the towel and basin and get going. Humility.
Luke 9:46-56
An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Aware of their deepest thoughts, Jesus took a little child and had the child stand beside him. Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever is least among you all is the greatest.”
John replied, “Master, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group of followers.”
But Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him, because whoever isn’t against you is for you.”
As the time approached when Jesus was to be taken up into heaven, he determined to go to Jerusalem. He sent messengers on ahead of him. Along the way, they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival, but the Samaritan villagers refused to welcome him because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to consume them?” But Jesus turned and spoke sternly to them, and they went on to another village.
James 4:6-10
But he gives us more grace. This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Cry out in sorrow, mourn, and weep! Let your laughter become mourning and your joy become sadness. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for this new day. For the sun rising, the air moving, the food that will come before me. The resources at hand, the relationships at heart, the vision before my eyes.
Thank you for light and life, for purpose and meaning.
Thank you for the ability to think and dream, to move and go, to stay and rest.
Thank you for the example Jesus has lived for us of love and compassion and humility all in the midst of great power and purpose.
Help me to live as such today, Lord.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.