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What is your reaction when rejected?
Sad? Angry? Upset? Bitter? Asking questions?
Why are you rejecting me?
God understands all these feelings.
God understands you where you are coming from.
But ask yourself….
How long will you dwell on those feelings…
1 day?
1 month?
1 yr?
10 years?
You decide.
Jesus is our God.
But experienced rejection like you.
The gospel today tells the reaction of John, James & Jesus to reaction.
John, James & disciples want fire to come down to people….
Because they were rejected….
The apostles are like you & me.
They feel anger too.
Imperfect.
Jesus on the other hand….
Calmly accepted…
Focused to go to Jerusalem…
Went to the next town
With disciples.
Rejections can remove our focus.
On our mission.
On our goals in life.
Because of the pain.
But there is a time for everything.
We can get up.
And move on to the village….
To the next mission…
To the next person….
We can calmly accept the rejection like Jesus did.
Do not dwell on feelings for too long.
Jesus is counting on you….
First reading is about Zechariah prophesing that people of all nations will go to Jerusalem someday.
For God is with them in Jerusalem.
True enough, people now go to Jerusalem because of Jesus.
Tuesday oct 1 2019
First Reading ZECHARIAH 8:20-23
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, `Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, `Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'”
What do these verses mean to me?
● Zechariah the prophet announces people of nations want to go to Jerusalem
● During Zechariah’s time, Jews returned from Exile, reconstructing the House of God
● The Jews are similar to the temple
● Jews are rebuilding their lives in Judah, no longer Babylonian slaves
● Jews in the story have no idea people in the future will be interested to visit Jerusalem
● Jerusalem now due to its rich culture, history & significance in Jesus life is visited by Christians, Muslim & even non believers.
● Zechariah’s prophecy came true in our time
● People now go to Jerusalem also to seek God
Thus says the LORD of hosts
Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, `Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I am going.’
Still true even to this day.
In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, `Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'”
Gospel LUKE 9:51-56
When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; but the people would not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?”But he turned and rebuked them.And they went on to another village
What do these verses mean to me?
● We can see that John & James have stronger faith
● James & John want fire to come down to the village who rejected them
● Though James & John had stronger faith, Jesus was teaching them together with other disciples
Jesus’ lesson for apostles: allow the Samaritan to reject Jesus.
Allow Samaritans to reject the disciples.
Allow Rejections.
● As followers of Jesus, we have to learn that lesson too
Allow people to reject you…
Despite your best intentions…
It is not you, if you have your best intentions…
It is them…
It is all about them.
● The village of Samaritans were not ready for Jesus
Not ready for Jesus’ healing…
for Jesus’ blessings…
for Jesus’ miracles…
We sometimes block God’s blessings, healings, miracles because….
We do not want to welcome the idea….
We want to stick to what we believe in…
We reject the possibility…
Of a miracle…
Of a blessing…
Or healing…
● Sometimes, we are like the Samaritan villagers
● We reject Possibilities
What does it relate to Jesus?
Jesus did not allow fire to come down to people who rejected Him.
Jesus is a merciful God.
Jesus understands these people are not ready…
Maybe it is not the right time.
What is Jesus’ response for rejection: Move on to the next village
Not dwell on feelings of rejection.
Jesus was focused on his mission.
To go to Jerusalem.
Move on instead of being bitter for Rejection
Drink Daily: God`s Word 