Walking in His Footsteps: The Heart of Mercy

READ (LUKE 9:51-56)

In every great movie, there is “a shift.” Something that happens that changes the story and brings everything toward a culmination.

“he set his face” - A major turning point in Luke’s gospel. Jesus’ ministry would shift from Galilee and advance toward Jerusalem and the cross.

When this was fulfilled, Jesus would ascend into heaven.

“He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” - (1 Timothy 3:16)

Jesus set his face with a fixed purpose in the face of difficulty and danger.

The road of discipleship is dangerous, but eternally fulfilling.

1. A ministry of fault-finding requires no skill.

We do not know who the messengers were but they came back with a negative report.

Samaritans and Jews typically had a mutual hostility, based on ethnic, religious, and political barriers. Samaritans worship on Mount Gerizim. They viewed Jerusalem as an illegitimate center of worship and discouraged Jewish pilgrims heading there from Galilee.

The Jews saw Samaritans as a mixed race of unholy people. Semi-pagan.

This attitude was too much for James and John.

They might have thought of Elijah when he called down fire from Heaven in the Old Testament.

They were happy to make this call due to their struggles with people from this area.

There are many who have built a ministry in looking for the faults of people.

We are all aware of our short-comings. It is easy to blast people and call down fire upon their lives. But all you do is burn them in the process.

That is not the ministry of Jesus. He’s the compassionate high priest who understands our struggles.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - (Hebrews 4:15)

The inner desire to break others down is not of God.

2. Mercy always beats judgment.

John would eventually be know as the apostle of love. Why was he so angry in this passage? How does the son of thunder become an apostle of love?

“But he turned and rebuked them.”

Rebuke - The practice of pointing out another’s mistake, fault, or sin for the purpose of correcting behavior.

in the NT, Jesus and the apostles issued rebukes and taught the church how to addres those who sin.

“James and John, this is not how my followers behave.”

Instead of looking at Samaria with judgment, Jesus looked at his followers with a higher expectation. This is a normal church practice.

The company we keep is what we will eventually become.

How did John and the disciples eventually change? By hanging around Jesus.

You might feel like you are harsh or insensitive, that you lack tenderness or compassion. Good news: Those characteristics will change as you spend time with the Lord. If you spend time with Jesus, you will become like him. It may not happen quickly, but it will happen with certainty.

“To fight against pride, it is wise to surround ourselves with those who know us and love us enough to speak into our lives with words of correction and rebuke.” - Paul Washer.

Disciples of Christ desire to grow and hear truth that brings transformation.