“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 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. And they went on to another village.” (Luke 9:51-56 ESV)
David Guzik says, in regards to the rejection of the Samaritans, “Because Jesus was going to Jerusalem these particular Samaritans did not welcome Jesus. They didn’t have good relations with the Jews, and were prejudiced against them.”
Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well alludes to this, also. John 4:9 notes that “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans,” and in John 4:20 the Samaritan woman goes on to say, “‘Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.’”
William Barclay ponders the choice of this particular route saying, “For Jesus to take that way to Jerusalem was unusual; and to attempt to find hospitality in a Samaritan village was still more unusual.”
Doing the unusual wasn’t so unusual for Jesus though. Throughout His earthly ministry He consistently rejected the way of the religious leaders and cultural convention and customs, setting the ancient world on fire, and He still does it today.
Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something “unusual?” – to approach a stranger in the store with what you know is a message from God, to give away something to a friend or even a stranger, or provide hospitality to someone you don’t “have good relations with” or are “prejudiced against” for some reason?
How many times have you, when prompted, hesitated or even refused to obey and, after missing an opportunity to be a blessing to someone, to serve the Lord, and to receive a blessing as well, regretted it? Because it blesses us, too. If we will only humble ourselves in obedience! When you examine your reasons/excuses for failing to obey, they all equal pride – fear of looking foolish, being embarrassed, or any of the other reasons we hesitate or just say no (let’s be honest and call it what it is).
Those Samaritans had the opportunity to be a blessing to their Savior on His way to die for their sins, but they wouldn’t put aside their feelings and prejudices. “And they [Jesus and His disciples] went on to another village.” (Luke 9:56)
If you refuse, God will use someone else, because His purposes will be accomplished, but you are the one who misses out, just like the Samaritans did.
Sonya Elizabeth Richards
