Devotionals
Luke 9:49-56
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Not everyone will receive Jesus! Not everyone will turn to Him when the message is preached! So, how do you handle this? How do you respond to people that seem unreceptive to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Look at what the disciples said:
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?
They were waiting and perhaps hoping that judgment would fall from heaven on these people who did not receive Christ. Do you want us to command fire from heaven and consume them?
Before you shake your head at these men, I think it would do us all good to take a step back and evaluate our own approach. There was a time in my life when I was ready to command fire from heaven and consume those around me, simply because I felt like I’d received a Word from God, and was on the right path and others didn’t seem to get it!
Our approach must not be one of commanding fire from heaven, or calling judgment down on lives, or condemning those around us because they don’t see it the way we think they should!
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Look with me at verse 49 of this same chapter:
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
We can read these verses and shake our head at these men and wonder how in the world could they be like this; yet, we have all been there at some point. No doubt with passion and zeal, filled with good intentions, nevertheless, we tend to want people to conform to what we believe to be the right way!
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
The thought for today is this: be careful! We will meet many people on this journey who do not dress or appear the way we ‘think’ they should. Let me give you an example. Several years ago the girls came home from school excited about this new teacher. Over dinner I learned about this man who was covered in tattoos, not pretty butterflies and fairies, but rather gang related tattoos. For days all I heard about was this man who, in their words, rocked!
Before I ever met him I was concerned, just by hearing about his appearance. I was no less concerned the day I met him. I know the look on my face said a thousand words, but he didn’t appear to let my reaction get to him. He looked like a gangster, and he was teaching my children!
Then one day the kids and I were invited to a friend’s church because the youth pastor was going to be preaching! You could’ve picked me up off the floor when I realized who the youth pastor was! It was the gangster, but I was broken and humbled when he poured forth from his soul the Word of God!
This young man had a testimony of deliverance from drugs and gangs! He was reaching a generation I would never reach and these kids were reaching back! It so happened that under his ministry my children accepted Christ!
My point is this: God uses all kinds of people! You and I may be the one to enter a community and plant the seeds. Someone else may come along behind and water! If the message isn’t received, we must not become angry and judgmental! We must control the urge to command fire from heaven! Someone else may come long behind us and accomplish the work of Christ!
God has specific people for specific places! His plan is strategic and we must follow His example of mercy and grace! Bringing forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ with love!
Dear Jesus, Your Word humbles us today! Time and again you gave us examples of love, mercy and grace! You pointed out so clearly how You came to save us, and you lived it out so dramatically on Calvary! Lord, help us to be living examples of Your love and grace! Help us to cast aside judgment and to see through eyes of compassion! Help us to reach out even when it seems rejection is commonplace! Help us to realize You have a strategic plan and our responsibility is to love others as we love ourselves! Lord help us to not see outward appearances but rather to simply love!
In Jesus Name, AMEN!
© Jounda LaMance November 26, 2006
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Oh how true. We must be careful. Again you have written from God's heart. Thank you for your faithfulness, and message, as always.
Love you,
Jacque