Luke 9:55-56

What were they going to use their powers for? It was a really carnal reaction, was it not?

Jesus extended at least a measure of friendship here to His enemies. They rejected Him, but He did not respond in kind. Jesus used His powers rightly in every circumstance. Every word—I am sure even every expression of His face—every action He took was in the image of His Father in exactly the way God intended all the way back there at Adam.

By contrast, His disciples wanted to use their powers to destroy. They were being influenced by a destroying spirit and they did not know it. "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." Very interesting. There is another player on the scene, is there not?

Luke 9:55-56

So that was Christ's commission or purpose and by extension, by being sons of God, it is our responsibility as well. Jesus sets James and John straight in their attitudes, and His unequivocable response comes through in His statement that "He turned and rebuked them." Jesus lets James and John know that their attitudes should be meek and gentle. Then He reminds them of His reason for coming, "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

Luke 9:55-56

Luke is the only one who records this. Christ did not try to overthrow, but instead, He submitted (like a gentleman would) to the slight of shutting Him out, and was longsuffering. He was not quick to judge His fellow man to condemnation. Again, "I will draw you with the bands of a Man."