May 11

Mercy on the mockers

Luke 9:51-56

As the time drew near for his return to heaven he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will. One day he sent messengers ahead to reserve rooms for them in a Samaritan village. But they were turned away! The people of the village refused to have anything to do with them because they were headed for Jerusalem.
When word came back of what had happened, James and John said to Jesus, "Master, shall we order fire down from heaven to burn them up?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to anther village.

Gods word tells us that Jesus moved steadily with an iron will toward Jerusalem. Jesus is our greatest example of how to live and how to be pleasing to God. Jesus knew his goal was to enter Jerusalem so that he could fulfill his purpose in life which was to give his life in trade for the sins of the world.

James and John knew that Jesus was God who came to earth in human form so that he could set free all those who are imprisoned by sin. Because James and John knew the truth and had been set free from the darkness that used to linger in their souls they wanted everyone to experience that same freedom and it frustrated them to see people respond in ignorance when the truth was standing right in front of them. The blissfulness of walking in the Light with the Light of the world among them caused them to respond with quick anger to those who were rejecting the freedom Jesus had to offer.  It makes no sense to refuse freedom when it is being freely offered. John and James wanted to call fire down from heaven and destroy that town  when they refused to accept Jesus. They were offended by the peoples reaction to reject the truth that Jesus came to save them.

Jesus response was quite different then that of James and Johns. Jesus never changed his focus no matter who was denying him. He turned and rebuked his disciples for thinking about vengeance instead of mercy. It was mercy that was leading him to the cross. Jesus had mercy on the mockers.

Perhaps this was the thought on Jesus mind as he continued his walk to Jerusalem:

I know my mission, I know I have my reasons. I came from heaven and there I know I will return. You my followers are thinking with the mind of man.... Stop!.... Don't you remember that I split the atom before Adam was created?
That I broke the dark silence with my voice and life erupted with choice.

I have mercy on the mockers because I know how small minded they really are, for if they would only extend a hand upward they would see that glory falls when praise arises.

I know who I am, now you must know who you are. You are all that I say you are. You are made in my image and likeness, you are victorious and you are blessed beyond expression. You are a child of the living God created to praise him from here through eternity.

Those who mock are following a different flock. Don't be angry. Have mercy, have pity and pray for those who mock that someday they to will answer the knock.
 

If your heart has been touched, please feel free to email me at:  Jina@preparingyourheart.com

Thank you