Commanding fire from Heaven

There is an interesting yet understated event in chapter 9 of the Book of Luke that has a great lesson for us.

There's not a lot of clear information on the situation. Jesus decided to head to Jerusalem, and planned to stop in a Samaritan village along the way. He sent messengers ahead to the village, "to make ready for him. And [the people of the village] did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." (Is this like restaurants that post "Restrooms for Paying Customers Only"? I dunno.) James and John, two of Jesus' most prominent apostles, said: "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?"

This is a very interesting request. They are referencing Elijah (aka Elias) from 1st Kings 18 and 2nd Kings 1, who called down fire from heaven in the challenge against the priests of Baal and against other soldiers sent to apprehend him.

One chapter earlier (Luke 8), Jesus and the apostles were caught on the sea in a terrible storm and Jesus commanded the sea and sky to be still, demonstrating he had power over the elements. At the onset of chapter 9, Jesus called the Twelve Apostles and gave them Priesthood authority. A little later, James and John were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, where they received more priesthood keys and power (including from Elijah). Immediately after this, some of the apostles, perhaps James and John included, were unable to heal a boy possessed by an evil spirit and were rebuked by the Master.

James and John were looking for an opportunity to prove their faith (that previously on occasion failed to produce miracles) and exercise their new-found priesthood power, received from Elijah, just like Elijah.

The response: "He 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."

The story concludes with this simple phrase: "And they went to another village."
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We are naturally inclined to revenge, pride, anger, returning spite for spite. When someone offends us we want to get even and prove they don't know who they're messing with.We want to have the last word.

Jesus has other ideas. He was fine with just moving on to another town. Let them be. He loved them even though they did not welcome him.

When he was being crucified by the Roman soldiers he exclaimed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I am amazed by Jesus' love and compassion. There is not enough forgiveness and compassion in the world. Well would we be to follow his admonition, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

I hope we can do a better job of forgiving and forgetting; of being compassionate; of excusing people who are inhospitable towards us; of having charity--the pure love of Christ--towards everyone around us.

Jesus said he was sent not to destroy, but to save, and if follow that example we will have more peace in ourselves.