Two Year Gospel Study Week 44

Awake Us Now

Luke 9:51-56; “Fire From Heaven”

Our study today starts with a verse stating that Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Jesus was, without any hesitation, heading to Jerusalem, into the very city in which He knew He would suffer, be crucified and die. Knowing full well what was ahead - He resolutely - without hesitation - headed to Jerusalem. No shrinking back! Jesus was relentless in accomplishing what the Father desires.

What does the Father desire? He desires that ALL come to know Him, His love, mercy, forgiveness and life transforming power. God’s desire is that ALL people repent and come to a knowledge of Jesus our Savior.

And so to follow through on God’s heart, Jesus is relentless in pursuing the Father’s will and relentless in His pursuit of each one of us.

As we explore the next verses we read that the people in Samaria did not welcome Jesus because He was headed for Jerusalem, and they didn’t like where He was going nor did they like the people in that city. Doesn’t this make you wonder how many people have missed out on all Jesus has to offer because they are offended at something He has said, or done or something that the Bible declares.

REJECTION: Jesus was rejected over and over again, by: 1. Israel’s leaders 2. His own family 3. Samaritans

How do we feel when we are rejected? Bitter? Angry? A desire to get even? Retaliate? The Samaritan’s rejection of Jesus elicited this response from Jesus’ disciples, James and John: “Lord, do You want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”

This is not what Jesus wanted and He rebuked them but there would be a day God would send fire from heaven and that was at Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’ ascension, when the Holy Spirit was poured out. On that day people in Samaria were filled with the Holy Spirit and drawn to the knowledge of Jesus the Messiah. Transformed. Changed forever! Gaining life, forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy. That is precisely what Jesus is still doing and desires to do today, to draw us to Himself, transform us from within and to give us joy and hope because He set His face toward Jerusalem and He went there for each one of US!

Jesus rebuked James and John that day, but in the days to come He would also transform them. This is all taking place about 6 months before Jesus’ death and resurrection and about 8 months before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is determined to accomplish all the Father desires and He is still determined to do that today in each of our lives. His desire is to fill us with His Holy Spirit, to know Him and to show His incredible love in the way we treat others.

Jesus is working to change the world one person at a time, beginning with you and me!

There also is a lesson in not growing weary - maybe we are looking around and wondering how much longer the Lord will put up with all the garbage going on in the world.

But then we see the testimony of Jesus’ life and how much our Savior gave of himself to accomplish our salvation. When we see this we too are changed. We realize our attitudes change as well.

What God calls us to do through the life and ministry and resurrection of Jesus, is to pray for a different kind of Fire. Holy Fire. The fire of the Holy Spirit!

To forgive as we are forgiven in Christ. To love as we are loved in Christ. To serve as Christ has served us.

God’s heart is that people return to Him.

God’s heart is for Revival! Awakening!

What we see in Jesus is the Father heart!

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life. This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.