Jesus called James and John “The Sons of Thunder.” That’s because they had a short fuse. They would cloud up and rain all over you in a New York minute. When a Samaritan village did not show them proper hospitality they wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy the entire population!
That’s a normal reaction. When people are rude to us, reject us, bad mouth us, cut us off in traffic, betray us, or cheat us we want to get even. But, as have been said, an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind and a tooth for a tooth leaves everybody in dentures.
Jesus responded to their suggestion by reminding them that was not his spirit. He came to save the people not to destroy them. What is the spirit of Jesus?
- He loves all people – even his enemies
- He respects every person’s right to believe or not believe
- He takes rejection without retribution
- He seeks to persuade not to compel
- He is patient … judgment can wait
He would have nothing to do with the anger and vengeance they wanted. Neither should we.