What's Not Wrong With This Picture?
From today's Gospel, Luke 9:51-56--

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, and they went to another village.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this picture. Read it again. Still nothing wrong. So why does it sound wrong? Why does it sound just the opposite of what many Christians think should happen when someone, God forbid, doesn't welcome Jesus or the church or his disciples?

Sadly that is probably the image that many non-Christians have of Christians. We can get so pushy, so judgmental, so- so obnoxious. And if someone disagrees with us or does something that we think harms God's or Jesus' image- well, they will pay for it. We'll see to that.

I am sure that Jesus shakes his head at us as often as he did the disciples. If someone doesn't listen- move on. It is that simple. But then we would feel like a failure. We have to be successful. We have to make sure that God's good name is defended. (Talk about obnoxious thinking!)

So how then do I do it differently? Just do as Jesus did. Forget about the legions of angels or the fire and brimstone raining down from heaven. Forget the curses. I get scared that if God is going to damn anyone it may more likely be those of us who say we follow Jesus and then act so off base.

Oh, that's right. This is all about grace, isn't it?