Jesus and Disciples Above a Burning Lakeside Townby CBPepper
9:53Luke 9:53
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
This belongs to the final, public journey toward Jerusalem, unlike an earlier hidden journey to the city. The destination was the place of great sacrifice where crucifixion would be faced. The journey was made to direct people's attention to Jesus as the source of salvation. It was also made to help His followers remember His teaching and to prepare them to follow Him through coming trials and persecution.
The Samaritans did not receive or welcome Him because His face and direction showed He was traveling toward and continuing on to Jerusalem. Their refusal sprang from prejudice, bigotry, hostility toward Jerusalem, and jealousy. They took His destination as a sign that He favored the Jews whom they bitterly hated. They would have received Him had He come to restore worship on Mount Gerizim.
They withheld ordinary hospitality and the courtesy they would have shown an ordinary traveler and did not invite Him to stay, even though He was weary and night was near. By doing so they rejected the opportunity to receive Him and missed and lost the blessing His presence and the gifts He wished to give would have brought. He sought their welcome so He could draw near and bless them, repaying every favor shown to Him with greater grace. Jesus did not force His way into Samaria, force His presence on them, or resent their disrespect, but continued on to bless those willing to receive Him.
Their rejection gave the disciples no reason to retaliate. Their anger and desire to call down fire was rebuked, because He came to show mercy, not judgment. The passage with its surrounding verses establishes that ministers of Christ are not to compel people in matters of belief, but to persuade and appeal to them. The verse illustrates how people may neglect to welcome Jesus into their hearts and homes even though He is ready to give love, grace, and blessing and does not force His presence on them.
This belongs to the final, public journey toward Jerusalem, unlike an earlier hidden journey to the city. The destination was the place of great sacrifice where crucifixion would be faced. The journey was made to direct people's attention to Jesus as the source of salvation. It was also made to help His followers remember His teaching and to prepare them to follow Him through coming trials and persecution.
The Samaritans did not receive or welcome Him because His face and direction showed He was traveling toward and continuing on to Jerusalem. Their refusal sprang from prejudice, bigotry, hostility toward Jerusalem, and jealousy. They took His destination as a sign that He favored the Jews whom they bitterly hated. They would have received Him had He come to restore worship on Mount Gerizim.
They withheld ordinary hospitality and the courtesy they would have shown an ordinary traveler and did not invite Him to stay, even though He was weary and night was near. By doing so they rejected the opportunity to receive Him and missed and lost the blessing His presence and the gifts He wished to give would have brought. He sought their welcome so He could draw near and bless them, repaying every favor shown to Him with greater grace. Jesus did not force His way into Samaria, force His presence on them, or resent their disrespect, but continued on to bless those willing to receive Him.
Their rejection gave the disciples no reason to retaliate. Their anger and desire to call down fire was rebuked, because He came to show mercy, not judgment. The passage with its surrounding verses establishes that ministers of Christ are not to compel people in matters of belief, but to persuade and appeal to them. The verse illustrates how people may neglect to welcome Jesus into their hearts and homes even though He is ready to give love, grace, and blessing and does not force His presence on them.