Opening prayer
Lord, I find myself unsettled by the people around me. I don’t like their politics. I don’t like their practices. Most of the time, I just put up with it. But sometimes, I get mad. I just want to be done with their nonsense. Help me! Settle my heart. Teach me the way of Jesus. Amen.
Read
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village (Luke 9:51-56).
Samaritans were half-breeds. Literally and theologically. They were descendants of people who’d been left in the land of Israel during the Exile, during the time when other Hebrew people were hauled off to Babylon and made to serve that unholy empire, far away from home. Many exiled Jews returned to the land of Israel after their ordeal, having had their faith purified by it. But what they returned to was a mess. For many who had been left behind married with non-Jews and not only mixed blood with them, but also mixed theology with them. These mixed-up people became the Samaritans. (See 2 Kings 17 for more on this, plus the excellent article of Wikipedia.)
The shortest and fastest way to get to Jerusalem from Galilee, where Jesus had his home base, was through Samaria. Many Jews at the time of Jesus opted to take the longer route around that tainted region with its tainted people. Jesus, however, seems to have trekked right through Samaria on a regular basis. On one of those occasions, he met the unnamed woman at the well and had the conversation that is so wonderfully offered to us in John 4.
But in that story in John 4, along with the story of the “good” Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), we pick up hints of what we would call racism today. These were despised people. Good Jews had nothing to do with them. As far as they were concerned, there was no such thing as a “good” Samaritan. The were, by definition, bad.
So, it’s not surprise that these disciples of Jesus in our passage wanted to call down fire from heaven like Elijah. It was bad enough that they had to pass through Samaria. It was worse that they despised people had refused hospitality to them. It’s tough to be rejected by people you believe are below you.
But Jesus is stern in his rejection of this. He’ll have nothing to do with their desire to wipe these contemptuous people from the earth. That is not his way. His way goes through Samaria. His way engages with Samaritans. His way brings life to these people, not death. His way brings light to their darkness, not rejecting them because of their darkness. His way sees them as potential “good” Samaritans. His way sees them as potential conversation partners at a well, where they come to know him and are changed by the encounter.
Engage
Who are the “Samaritans” you live among? Where are their practices bad? Where is their view of God bad? Where is their hospitality to you (and Jesus) bad?
How do you treat others whose politics are opposed to yours?
How do you treat people who claim to follow Jesus but whose theology is outside of what you believe is authentic Christian faith?
How do you treat people who are not warm with you? Who lack hospitality? Who have no use for you?
What do you think Jesus is calling you to in these relationships?
Pray
Jesus, help me to see the “Samaritans” around me. To notice and acknowledge the differences that are already affecting my relationship with them. To take stock of the negative feelings I have toward them. And help me to offer those feelings to you.
In this overly politicized era, help me be gracious toward those whose politics drive me nuts.
In this era of mixed up theologies that refuse to bow before you as King, that refuse to obey your loving and kingly commands, help me to be gracious to my brothers and sisters. Lead me to pray for them, not to despise them. Lead me to love and honor them, not to have contempt toward them.
In my community, where there is a lack of real community, where there is a lack of open-hearted, open-home hospitality, help me to reject feelings of being rejected. Instead, make me the source of hospitality, of community, just as you have opened up your heart and home in hospitality toward me.
Live
The next time you see a political rant that drives you nuts or a hat or bumper sticker that riles you, stop and pray. Offer your emotional reaction to God. Offer this person, whether or not you know him or her, to the Lord for blessing and not for cursing. See if you can make this a basic practice, holding out open hands toward people — prayerful hands, hospitable hands — instead of closed fists.
Closing prayer
I’m not good at this, Lord. I want to close off and push away people who aren’t like me, people who don’t think and talk and live like I do. I’d prefer to shun them, to see them shrivel up and blow away. But your way goes through them and to them, not around them. Give me the strength and love and grace to do the same. Through Jesus our Lord. Amen.