Are You A Church Firebug

Jesus and the disciples were out and about visiting the towns and villages and ministering to those they found gathered along the country sides. Very much had happened on their journey. Five thousand had been fed by the Lord with only a few fish and a little bread. Peter, James and John had witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus as he talked to Moses and Elijah. Peter had made his remarkable statement about who Jesus was, “You are the Son of The Living God.” Many people had been healed. Jesus had dealt with arguments, doubters, excuse makers and finally he told the disciples that they were to turn their faces toward Jerusalem, or at least that was his plan.

As they were on the way Jesus sent some ahead to the next Samaritan town to prepare for an overnight stay. However, the people in that town refused to let Jesus and the disciples stay there. Hearing about this rejection James and his brother John decided that the town should be punished. They said to Jesus, “Do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Yep, that will teach them! Pretty harsh, don’t you think? True, those who ultimately reject Jesus will in judgement be sentenced to eternal fire, but Jesus’ mission is to save people from eternal judgement. Jesus rebuked James and John.

Has anyone ever tried to call down fire on you? It happens all the time in our churches. Just go into a church and try do do something that has been done the same way for thirty years. Do that and you had better have a good fire extinguisher handy. People get upset over the most trivial things. Churches have split over issues that could have been easily remedied, but because someone felt mistreated, not included or left out of the loop, fire was called down upon the offenders to consume them. Destruction spread and years of  kindred fellowship were lost. People leave hurt and confused, angry and bitter, and very often their hope lost. I’ve seen this fire called down in every church I’ve been in.

I am a senior, seventy years old. My experience has taught me that most of the time the person calling down the fire is usually an old man or an old woman. I don’t know if it is an age thing or not. I’ve been, at the least, singed by that fire and most of the time an older person was responsible. I will say I’ve been blessed by a lot of elderly people and have been rescued by these wise people. Jesus would prefer that our actions and our prayers be filled with grace, mercy, kindness, and that all we say and do be for his glory. Calling down fire upon anyone does not glorify Jesus. Whether you are young or old, my advice to you is leave your lighter at home. God doesn’t need or want you to help him ignite any fire to consume anyone.

Scripture Reference: Luke 9