Scripture

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

~Luke 9:54, NKJV

Quote

We can love that which should not be loved and hate that which should not be hated. Both loves for can exist in the same person. {A part of sanctification} is to cease loving evil and grow in our love for what is good.

~Augustine {City of God}

The Jewish hierarchy had no use for Galileans and all the disciple except Judas Iscariot were from Galilee. The Jews as a whole had no use for Samaritans. The Samaritan race was created when the ten northern tribes were carried into exile. The few remaining Jews began intermarrying with the gentile settlers that the Assyrians resettled in Canaan. The results was a mixed race. Orthodox Jews thought of Samaritans as half-breeds. When the Samaritan villages refused to give hospitality to Jesus and His disciples, it ticked James and John off and they said brashly, “Do You want us to call down fire from heaven and consume them?” James and John had just finished the mission trip where Jesus gave them authority over sickness and demons. They were still feeling their oats. Of course, you and I know they had no ability to call down fire unless it was given to them by Jesus. Jesus was not thrilled with their question or their attitude and He rebuked them. Obviously, there were distinctive differences between the Jews and the Samaritans and these differences had lead to deep seated prejudice.

John states in the Revelation…After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes. Paul said that Christ has the ability to make all of us one so that the distinctions that separate us will be dissolved…There is no longer Jew or Gentile slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Obviously, there was still some hostility and animosity between Jesus disciples and the Samaritans. You wouldn’t think of calling down fire on those you love. Fast forward 60 plus years and this is what a more mature John says…This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Wow, that is a big change in attitude. How did such a change occur? It is the work of Christ who by grace makes us holy.

Extra

Latest report on Anthony Brown. Lungs were no better yesterday and a procedure is scheduled for today I think. They will go through his ribs and peel the hardened fluid off his lungs. It will come out in two tubes. He will be in ICU through Wednesday. This is a delicate procedure and much prayer is needed. This info comes from Joe David.

A little late posting this morning. It has gotten so dry here at 1120 that I had some grass I needed to cut before the dew lifted. I love to cut grass but where there is a grass/dust combination, it is not any fun.

Had lunch with Eddie, Sue, Teddy, Deidra, Josh and Joe David yesterday. I was kidding with Teddy about reading the blog. He and Rex read it everyday. Eddie told me not to get the big head because neither of them could read. That is not true of course. We do appreciate all who read the blog. I think Josh is going to Guatemala this July. Joe David wants him to go to Israel which would be a good experience. We are praying about how we should go about raising the money to send him. If he wants to go, I will do everything in my power to see that he goes.

The Holiday on Monday threw my gyroscope off and yesterday seemed like Friday but today is Friday I hope. Have a good day and a good weekend.