Calling Down Fire From Heaven

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. [Luke 9: 52-55]

This story in Luke 9 has always intrigued me. James and John sound a lot like the religious right I hear today. Once one become convinced of his or her moral and political correctness of one's position, then any means can be used to justify the ends. Thus, a zealous opponent of abortion can "justify" murdering a doctor who works in an abortion clinic as "saving" the lives of the unborn. The only problem is look at the reaction of Jesus. He "rebuked them". In October of 1553, John Calvin had the same problem in Geneva with a Spanish physician by the name of Michael Servetus. From Calvin's point of view, Servetus was a heretic. If a heretic teaches someone something that is false, then that person could cause others to lose their soul. Thus, the only solution in Calvin's mind was to permanently remove the heretic. Servetus was condemned to die by being burned at the stake. It was reported that they stacked green wood around his feet and placed a wreath full of sulpher on his head. Accounts of Servetus' death suggested that he suffered for over 30 minutes in a smoldering, smokey fire that caused him a great deal of suffering before his death. Not exactly what we would expect from a Christian point of view is it?

Titus 1:9-11 suggests that an Elder "must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach -- and that for the sake of dishonest gain." But the only weapon at the disposal of an Elder is the Word of God. Never were Jesus's disciples commanded to take up arms. In fact, the one time that Peter raised his sword in defense of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene, Jesus commanded him to put his sword away as he healed the ear of the servant whom Peter had attacked. After Jesus rebuked James and John, the scripture says they went on to another village. It seems to me the message is like the parable of the sower. Some are going to get it. Some are not. And, all we can do is sow the seed and let God do the harvesting. As much as we want to call down fire from heaven on our enemies, the example of Jesus is to do good to those who persecute you. Loving your neighbor as yourself. That is what it is all about.