“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? 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.” (Luke 9:54-56 KJV).
These passages serve as a powerful illustration of the contrasting natures of the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of Grace. The Lord’s rebuke of the disciples' vengeful spirit highlights His mission to save, not to condemn. These remind us, who are saved by grace through faith, and are made a new creation by the process of spiritual rebirth, that under grace we have a mission of love, and a spirit of patience, not of vengeance - even in the face of rejection.
In this scene we watch James and John, inspired by the Old Testament figure Elijah, wanting to call fire down from heaven in a spirit of vengeance when their message was rejected. Hence, the Lord Jesus rebuked them, stating, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them". A "law-based" mindset, seeks to punish rejection. In contrast, as manifest by the Lord’s rebuke, He represents the "grace-based" heart of the New Covenant, which seeks to save all people.
These passages call all today's believers to examine their own hearts and motives. These urge people to ask if their actions are motivated by a desire to punish those who reject their message of truth or by God's grace to love, serve, and save them. The true Gospel of the Grace of God reminds that instead of wanting to bring down judgment, we should depend on God's grace to bring life and salvation to others, just as we are saved. When rejected, the Lord Jesus - the person of Grace reminds us to shake the dust off our feet, and move on in the spirit of compassion and love.
Yes, we must be compassionate and loving. But, we must not be tainted by the "dust" - that is pagan influence, of the rejecting towns we enter. Hence, to the Apostles that He sent on mission, and to us who are saved by His grace through faith and are sent as well, He gives this command: “And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (Matthew 10:11-14 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
These passages serve as a powerful illustration of the contrasting natures of the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of Grace. The Lord’s rebuke of the disciples' vengeful spirit highlights His mission to save, not to condemn. These remind us, who are saved by grace through faith, and are made a new creation by the process of spiritual rebirth, that under grace we have a mission of love, and a spirit of patience, not of vengeance - even in the face of rejection.
In this scene we watch James and John, inspired by the Old Testament figure Elijah, wanting to call fire down from heaven in a spirit of vengeance when their message was rejected. Hence, the Lord Jesus rebuked them, stating, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them". A "law-based" mindset, seeks to punish rejection. In contrast, as manifest by the Lord’s rebuke, He represents the "grace-based" heart of the New Covenant, which seeks to save all people.
These passages call all today's believers to examine their own hearts and motives. These urge people to ask if their actions are motivated by a desire to punish those who reject their message of truth or by God's grace to love, serve, and save them. The true Gospel of the Grace of God reminds that instead of wanting to bring down judgment, we should depend on God's grace to bring life and salvation to others, just as we are saved. When rejected, the Lord Jesus - the person of Grace reminds us to shake the dust off our feet, and move on in the spirit of compassion and love.
Yes, we must be compassionate and loving. But, we must not be tainted by the "dust" - that is pagan influence, of the rejecting towns we enter. Hence, to the Apostles that He sent on mission, and to us who are saved by His grace through faith and are sent as well, He gives this command: “And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (Matthew 10:11-14 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
1 comment:
Amen.
For God so love the world that HE gave is only begotten son.
Who so ever believe in will not perish but have eternal life but those who rejected him will eternal damnation.
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