Show Don't Tell: Luke 9:51-56

Instead of saying "Jesus was rejected by Samaritans," feel the face set toward Jerusalem. As the time approaches for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he resolutely sets out for Jerusalem. Luke's travel narrative begins—a long journey toward the cross. He sends messengers on ahead, who go into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. But the people there do not welcome him, because he is heading for Jerusalem. The ancient Jew-Samaritan rivalry. When the disciples James and John see this, they ask: "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" Like Elijah. Jesus turns and rebukes them. They go to another village. No fire. No vengeance. Just the journey continuing toward a different kind of destruction—his own.