Did you ever try to put a five-year-old to bed? They are masters at stall tactics. “I need a glass of milk.” Then they sip the milk a half-ounce at a time. “I forgot to brush my teeth.” The brush goes in the slowest of motions. “Let’s say prayers.” An unending list of who to pray for. “Read me a story.” “Just one more story.” “Oh, I forgot my teddy bear; I’ll go downstairs to get it.” And so, they drag out facing the inevitable.
Aren’t we the same when it comes to doing something that we must do but don’t want to do? We think that if we procrastinate long enough, the unpleasant duty might go away—or maybe someone else will do it for us.
Jesus had to face the worst event of his life. He was making his final trip to Jerusalem, and he knew that there he would face capture, torture, and the most violent death. How did he deal with this? (Luke 9:51-56).
“When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.”
Resolutely determined! There was no hesitancy or delay tactics on Jesus’ part. His passion in life was to do the Father’s will. At this time his Father’s will was that he confront death and in doing so defeat Satan once for all and complete his mission on earth. Putting aside all fear, Jesus ignored the resistance of the devil and perhaps the reluctance of his disciples, and marched forward. He even sent messengers ahead of him to announce his coming. His intention was not to slip into the city quietly hoping no one realized he was there.
“On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.”
The Samaritans wouldn’t give the Jews the time of day. Knowing that Jesus was headed to Jerusalem, they refused to welcome him—another moment of rejection. Rather than letting this upset him, Jesus pressed on with resolute determination.
James and John were angry that the Samaritans rejected Jesus and asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
In their minds this village was another Sodom and deserved fire and brimstone for turning away God’s Son.
“Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.”
It was not his mission to destroy godless people but to save them. Ignoring the suggestion of James and John, Jesus moved on to the next village.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are challenged to seek the will of the Father above all else. When God’s will be to joyfully minister to people and watch his power work through us, it is something we embrace. On the other hand, when God’s will be to do something that will merit the rejection of the crowds or bring about outright persecution, we, like the prophet Jonah, want to run the other way.
There is likely a challenge God is putting before us now, and we, like the 5-year-old going to bed, we try to avoid it. Today we ask for courage to embrace God’s will in whatever form it takes.
