Overcoming Evil With Good
Samaritan Opposition
51As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[a]?" 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and[b] they went to another village.
Bee's Thoughts:
Dear Lord,
You are so forgiving and we need follow Your example. Help me to forgive fully those who have hurt me do much. Set me free from my own prison cell of unforgiveness if any. Let me love my enemies and thereby fulfill Your law of love.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Tommy's Thoughts:
Like James and John, we sometimes do feel like retaliating when others reject or scorn us. Although we may not necessary be doing something clearly evil, but in a subtle way, we try bringing down that person whenever there’s an opportunities or treating them unfairly all the time.
Today passage shows how Jesus rebuked this attitude of retaliation because judgment belongs only to God. Instead of repaying evil with evil, we are called to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:19-21) and leaving vengeance to God.
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me about not taking things into my own hands; but instead trusting You to be the Judge for all injustice. Teach me to have the patience and wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent, and always act in peace and with gentleness. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
