Opposition

Luke 9:51-56

There's a part of the passage that is in the footnotes of my Bible, since it only occurs in "some manuscripts." Some parts of the Bible have this kind of asterisk. One large one is the story of the woman about to be stoned for adultery, and Jesus makes the "He who is without sin, cast the first stone" statement. It's interesting that today's asterisked passage also has to do with certain people feeling more righteous than others and are ready to punish (kill!) the ones they see as unrighteous. Actually, the whole passage isn't asterisked, just the extension of Jesus' statement as he rebukes his disciples.

Here is his rebuke, as it reads in the NIV:

"And He said, 'You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.'"

I was convicted as I read His words, because there is someone in my life whose behavior I seem to so readily judge. Too often my mind entertains all the chastisement I can give from my "righteous" perspective... in effect, my words would be like "calling down fire" on them. Why is it so easy to sit in judgment on our fellow believers in Christ?

When I behave that way, I don't know what kind of spirit I am of. God, help us to know and act in your spirit -- a spirit of Love, Power, and Self Discipline.