The Lord, seeing that anti-Jewish feelings were
spreading through Samaria, decided to give up
His plans of preaching there.
He had to change His plans and go down the
valley of Bethshean on His way to Jerusalem.
Along the way, they met the Seventy who had
accomplished their mission and had returned to
tell Him of their success.
"And the seventy returned again with joy, say-
ing, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us
through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as light-
ning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power
of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means
hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the
spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice,
because your names are written in heaven."
Luke 10:17-20
It was at this time that Jesus told them that if
any man wished to follow Him, he must count
the cost.
He must be willing to expect and receive per-
secution, be ready to cut all earthly ties, and
to take up his cross and follow Him.
No man could go in two directions at once, he
could not serve God and mammon.
any man wished to follow Him, he must count
the cost.
He must be willing to expect and receive per-
secution, be ready to cut all earthly ties, and
to take up his cross and follow Him.
No man could go in two directions at once, he
could not serve God and mammon.
"Ye know not what spirit ye are of." Jesus had
come into the world to save lives, not to destroy
them.
It is possiible that John remembered Jesus' words
many times when he and Peter joined Philip in
Samaria years later (Acts 8).
If they had been permitted to destroy those who
had mistreated them, it is likely that some
of those they laid hands on to receive the Holy
Spirit wouldn't have been there to receive it.
come into the world to save lives, not to destroy
them.
It is possiible that John remembered Jesus' words
many times when he and Peter joined Philip in
Samaria years later (Acts 8).
If they had been permitted to destroy those who
had mistreated them, it is likely that some
of those they laid hands on to receive the Holy
Spirit wouldn't have been there to receive it.
Jesus had named James and John, brothers, the
sons of thunder. It's not surprising that they
wished to flash lightning on those who opposed
them.
Not sure what Jesus would say or do, they just-
ified their request with, "even as Elias did."
The idea was that it was even more needed to
vindicate the honor of the Messiah and His
disciples, than it was for just one lone prophet.
sons of thunder. It's not surprising that they
wished to flash lightning on those who opposed
them.
Not sure what Jesus would say or do, they just-
ified their request with, "even as Elias did."
The idea was that it was even more needed to
vindicate the honor of the Messiah and His
disciples, than it was for just one lone prophet.
Remember that there were many more disciples
on this journey to Jerusalem. The caravans of
people going to the feasts had been by there and
that had been a resentment to the Samaritans.
So it is no wonder that when the disciples asked
for accommodations they were refused.
The embarrassment of being refused angered
James and John, the fiery sons of thunder.
Despite all of Jesus' instructions, they still
thought they were on the way to proclaiming
His earthly kingdom.
So they said to the Lord, "Wilt thou that we
command fire to come down from heaven,
and consume them, even as Elias did?"
on this journey to Jerusalem. The caravans of
people going to the feasts had been by there and
that had been a resentment to the Samaritans.
So it is no wonder that when the disciples asked
for accommodations they were refused.
The embarrassment of being refused angered
James and John, the fiery sons of thunder.
Despite all of Jesus' instructions, they still
thought they were on the way to proclaiming
His earthly kingdom.
So they said to the Lord, "Wilt thou that we
command fire to come down from heaven,
and consume them, even as Elias did?"
A report was brought back that the people
who saw them coming had refuse them their
hospitality.
Why had the Samaritians who had been so
friendly before now so rude? For one thing
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where
the temple, that they despised, was located.
They believed the mountains around them
was where men ought to worship. (John 4:20)
and if that had been where they were going
they may have glady given His disciples their
hospitality.
who saw them coming had refuse them their
hospitality.
Why had the Samaritians who had been so
friendly before now so rude? For one thing
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where
the temple, that they despised, was located.
They believed the mountains around them
was where men ought to worship. (John 4:20)
and if that had been where they were going
they may have glady given His disciples their
hospitality.
The time came for Jesus to make His final trip
to Jerusalem. He had sent the seventy to pre-
pare the way in the towns and villages that He
would go through.
He though about the time He was received by
the Samaritans earlier (John 4). But now they
did not receive Him .
Towards evening He sent messengers into one
of the villiages to make arrangements for His
disciples to stay overnight.
to Jerusalem. He had sent the seventy to pre-
pare the way in the towns and villages that He
would go through.
He though about the time He was received by
the Samaritans earlier (John 4). But now they
did not receive Him .
Towards evening He sent messengers into one
of the villiages to make arrangements for His
disciples to stay overnight.
"And it came to pass, when the time was come
that he should be received up, he stedfastly set
his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they
went, and entered into a village of the Samari-
tans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw
this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we com-
mand 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 9:51-56
that he should be received up, he stedfastly set
his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they
went, and entered into a village of the Samari-
tans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw
this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we com-
mand 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 9:51-56
The motive behind sectarianism is often selfish-
ness. The religious establishment comes to be
considered a kind of corporation which hands out
franchises to protect the membership from com-
petition.
That there may be thousands of souls perishing
without Jesus seems not to have occurred to
them while they engage in selfish protection of
their interests. It is a great evil in the Church.
ness. The religious establishment comes to be
considered a kind of corporation which hands out
franchises to protect the membership from com-
petition.
That there may be thousands of souls perishing
without Jesus seems not to have occurred to
them while they engage in selfish protection of
their interests. It is a great evil in the Church.
The spirit that James and John had, has never
really left the Church. There are those who
always look with displeasure on any who seek
to minister without their sanction.
The Roman church presumed that any sacra-
ment performed by any other than a priest
was null and void. Marriage performed by
any other than they is invalid and children by
that marriage is illegitimate.
Protestant churches, not as extreme, but some
refer to theirs as the true church and some go
so far as to question the salvation of members
of other churches.
really left the Church. There are those who
always look with displeasure on any who seek
to minister without their sanction.
The Roman church presumed that any sacra-
ment performed by any other than a priest
was null and void. Marriage performed by
any other than they is invalid and children by
that marriage is illegitimate.
Protestant churches, not as extreme, but some
refer to theirs as the true church and some go
so far as to question the salvation of members
of other churches.
John and James had met an unknown worker
who was doing the same work they had, that is
casting out devils in Jesus' Name. This had
immediately raised their suspicions.
They asked the man if he had the proper
documents. If not, he must stop his ministry
until he got them. They felt they were the
leaders of the party. Any outsider who might
work in the ministry should get authorization
from them first.
They were ready to issue licenses to those who
properly acknowledged their authority.
who was doing the same work they had, that is
casting out devils in Jesus' Name. This had
immediately raised their suspicions.
They asked the man if he had the proper
documents. If not, he must stop his ministry
until he got them. They felt they were the
leaders of the party. Any outsider who might
work in the ministry should get authorization
from them first.
They were ready to issue licenses to those who
properly acknowledged their authority.
"But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no
man which shall do a miracle in my name, that
can lightly speak evil of me" Mark 9:39
The words 'in my name' may have called to
John's mind a time that had occurred, when
he and James were on a preaching tour. John
desired to change the subject as to who was
the greatest, and also to show Jesus that even
if they deserved condemnation they were busy
promoting His interests.
man which shall do a miracle in my name, that
can lightly speak evil of me" Mark 9:39
The words 'in my name' may have called to
John's mind a time that had occurred, when
he and James were on a preaching tour. John
desired to change the subject as to who was
the greatest, and also to show Jesus that even
if they deserved condemnation they were busy
promoting His interests.
Peter had nothing to say, for once, and neither
did the others. Shame silenced them. He sat
down and showed them that he who would be
first should be the servant of all. To show
His lesson on humility He call a little child
over.
The motive that drove the disciples was
wrong. In the sight of the world that which
makes a man great is his superiority over
others. The concept of greatness in the king-
dom of God is different. Greatness is deter-
mined by a willingness to serve others, even
those who are the weakest and the most
despised.
Jesus finished He admonition by saying,
"Whosoever shall receive one of such
children in my name, receiveth me."
did the others. Shame silenced them. He sat
down and showed them that he who would be
first should be the servant of all. To show
His lesson on humility He call a little child
over.
The motive that drove the disciples was
wrong. In the sight of the world that which
makes a man great is his superiority over
others. The concept of greatness in the king-
dom of God is different. Greatness is deter-
mined by a willingness to serve others, even
those who are the weakest and the most
despised.
Jesus finished He admonition by saying,
"Whosoever shall receive one of such
children in my name, receiveth me."
"And he came to Capernaum: and being in the
house he asked them, What was it that ye
disputed among yourselves by the way?
But they held their peace: for by the way
they had disputed among themselves, who
should be the greatest.
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and
saith unto them, If any man desire to be first,
the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And he took a child, and set him in the midst
of them: and when he had taken him in his
arms, he said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children
in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever
shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him
that sent me." Mark 9:33-37
house he asked them, What was it that ye
disputed among yourselves by the way?
But they held their peace: for by the way
they had disputed among themselves, who
should be the greatest.
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and
saith unto them, If any man desire to be first,
the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And he took a child, and set him in the midst
of them: and when he had taken him in his
arms, he said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children
in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever
shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him
that sent me." Mark 9:33-37
Despite the fact that Jesus had explained why
He was going to Jerusalem and it wasn't to
accept the earthly kingdom, but to be rejected
and killed. They still didn't seem to understand.
They couldn't see Him being taken from them.
So they assumed that His words were not to
be taken literally.
They did seem to realize that some profound
development was about to take place in His
ministry, but they were still believing it would
bring in the earthly kingdom they were hoping
for.
He was going to Jerusalem and it wasn't to
accept the earthly kingdom, but to be rejected
and killed. They still didn't seem to understand.
They couldn't see Him being taken from them.
So they assumed that His words were not to
be taken literally.
They did seem to realize that some profound
development was about to take place in His
ministry, but they were still believing it would
bring in the earthly kingdom they were hoping
for.
The fact that Peter's argument was due to his
love for Jesus, and he thought what he was
saying honored Him.
But actually it was inspired by Satan, and Jesus
had to rebuke him and tell him where it came
from.
Peter, most likely, wasn't convinced and didn't
understand what Jesus was telling him, until
after the resurrection.
love for Jesus, and he thought what he was
saying honored Him.
But actually it was inspired by Satan, and Jesus
had to rebuke him and tell him where it came
from.
Peter, most likely, wasn't convinced and didn't
understand what Jesus was telling him, until
after the resurrection.
It was remarkable that just a few minutes earlier,
Peter had spoken a revelation but had now come
under the influence of Satan and had become his
tool to such that Jesus had to answer him, calling
him Satan.
This shows how some ministers may speak great
truths under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and
yet when human pride or carnal bias comes over
their thinking, they do the works of Satan and
may not be aware of it.
Peter had spoken a revelation but had now come
under the influence of Satan and had become his
tool to such that Jesus had to answer him, calling
him Satan.
This shows how some ministers may speak great
truths under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and
yet when human pride or carnal bias comes over
their thinking, they do the works of Satan and
may not be aware of it.
Peter thought he understood and felt it was his
duty to set the Lord straight. Shocked over the
announcement, Peter took Him aside and said,
"Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto
thee."
Jesus knew that Peter was moved by love, but
He recognized the voice of Satan speaking to Him
through Peter and knew a rebuke was necessary
due to the temptation that was before Him.
duty to set the Lord straight. Shocked over the
announcement, Peter took Him aside and said,
"Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto
thee."
Jesus knew that Peter was moved by love, but
He recognized the voice of Satan speaking to Him
through Peter and knew a rebuke was necessary
due to the temptation that was before Him.
The natural mind has an
odd way of rejecting
what it doesn't want to
believe. Jesus' words of
His death and resurrection
was like a lightning
bolt to His disciples.
It was foreign to every
idea that they had of His
mission as the Messiah.
The matter of Jesus' resurrection from the dead
was so mysterious that they questioned among
themselves what it could possibly mean (Mark
9:32).
odd way of rejecting
what it doesn't want to
believe. Jesus' words of
His death and resurrection
was like a lightning
bolt to His disciples.
It was foreign to every
idea that they had of His
mission as the Messiah.
The matter of Jesus' resurrection from the dead
was so mysterious that they questioned among
themselves what it could possibly mean (Mark
9:32).
Jesus was very happy to know that the disciples
had recognized who He really was. But even
though they knew that He was the Son of God,
He also knew that they had little concept of the
way His mission to the world was to be carried
out.
He started by trying to change their minds of
their hope of an earthly kingdom. He had already
hinted of the fact that death awaited Him (John
2:19; 3:14) but they had missed the meaning
altogether.
Then He plainly told them what was going to
happen, how that He would be rejected by the
rulers, be killed and would arise on the third day.
had recognized who He really was. But even
though they knew that He was the Son of God,
He also knew that they had little concept of the
way His mission to the world was to be carried
out.
He started by trying to change their minds of
their hope of an earthly kingdom. He had already
hinted of the fact that death awaited Him (John
2:19; 3:14) but they had missed the meaning
altogether.
Then He plainly told them what was going to
happen, how that He would be rejected by the
rulers, be killed and would arise on the third day.
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto
his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem,
and suffer many things of the elders and chief
priest and scribes, and be killed, and be raised
again the third day. Then Peter took him, and
began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee,
Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned,
and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan:
thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest
not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men". Matthew 16:21-23