The Samaritans were rivals at LEAST, enemies to Israelites in all reality. Their history was one of rejection, intolerance, marginalization and hatred. Who started it does not matter. They lived in the same land and could not tolerate each other. The Israelites, of course, believe themselves superior and the only acknowledged of God. So, when Jesus was snubbed by the Samaritans because He was going to his favored ones in Jerusalem, it was understood as perfectly reasonable and practical by James and John that Jesus would have them wipe out the scoundrels.
JESUS REBUKED THEM. Did you get that? They were clearly within their rights as the "chosen of God" to bring wrath on these people who did not believe as they did, worship as they did or culturally behave as they did. But Jesus said, "NO!"
That was the old way. That was the "eye for an eye" way that threatened the blindness of all.
That was the parochial, intolerant, exclusive, hateful, falsely superior way.
That was the "God loves us better" way.
It was the wrong way.
Those who offered to follow Jesus then, and those who believe they follow Jesus now need to acknowledge the commitment that it takes to do so. They will sacrifice their comfort, their belongings and identity by way of "denying themselves, taking up the Cross and following." They will give up the old priorities of taking care of their own for the sake of the mission to restore Shalom
to others in Agape Love. They will leave behind the things and people of the past who tie them to their past of wrong thinking, believing and acting under empire values, in order that they may follow Jesus' Kingdom values in life.
This is a new thing. It is a New Covenant Thing. It is a Grace thing. It is an Agape Love thing.
It is a difficult thing to live. I know, I fail at it practically everyday.
It takes full commitment.... to Jesus... to The Good News of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us.
So, Jesus rebukes Zionists who would want to wipe out Palestinians or treat them shamefully,
just as Jesus would condemn radical Islamists who would deny the right of Israel to live, just as Jesus would rebuke anyone who hates LGBTQ folk, or those of other ethnicities or races, those of other genders or faiths or the poor, or denies equal rights or opportunities on ANY basis to ANY peoples.
Our only "righteousness" is in Christ Jesus, and that only because of Grace and God's love.
Our only true faithfulness to God is in the living of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in Agape Love and Grace with one another.
Period.
Jesus takes sides. Jesus sides AGAINST Intolerance, by whomever, for whatever "reason."
You want to follow Jesus? Ya gotta leave that sh#t behind.
Pastor Jamie
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