Unwavering Resolve

Unwavering Resolve

 

 

 

 

 

“When the time came for Him to be taken up, He set His face resolutely to go to Jerusalem. And He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village” (Luke 9:51–56).

 

 

 

      As we meditate on this passage, we desire to receive the lessons that it gives us:

 

(1)   First, we meditate on the words, “When the time came for Him to be taken up” (Lk. 9:51).

 

(a)    Here, the phrase “when the time came” comes from the Greek word συμπληροῦσθαι (symplērousthai), which is the present passive infinitive form of symplēroō (συμπληρόω), meaning “to be completely filled” or “to be fulfilled” (Internet).

 

(i)               The specific meaning of this word goes beyond the simple idea that time had passed and the moment had arrived.  Rather, it signifies that the decisive moment prepared within God’s plan of salvation had fully ripened. It indicates that Jesus’ earthly ministry had entered its final phase, and that the time was now fully complete for the core redemptive events—His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—to take place (Internet).

 

·        One interesting point is that today’s passage, Luke 9:51, is connected to the conversation Moses and Elijah had with Jesus about His “departure”: “They appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (v. 31).  Here, the word “departure” is the Greek word “Exodus”.  This signifies that just as the people of Israel were liberated from Egypt, Jesus would complete the work of salvation by liberating humanity from sin through His death—an ultimate exodus (Internet).

 

(2)   Second, we meditate on the words, “He set His face resolutely to go to Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51).

 

(a)    Here, “set His face resolutely” comes from the Greek word ἐστήρισεν (esterisen), the aorist active indicative form of the verb stērizō (στηρίζω), which means “to fix firmly” or “to establish steadfastly” (Internet).

 

(i)               “This word goes beyond simply changing direction; it refers to a state of fixing one’s heart so firmly that it does not waver even in the face of obstacles or suffering.  Jesus clearly recognized the suffering and death of the cross that lay ahead, yet with solemn determination He decided to go to Jerusalem in order to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.”— “Unwavering Resolve” (Internet).

 

·          Through this word, Luke proclaims that Jesus’ Galilean ministry had come to an end and that the full journey toward the cross and ascension had begun.  The reason Jesus did not turn aside despite the rejection by the Samaritans that follows (Lk. 9:52–56) is contained precisely in this word “esterisen” (ἐστήρισεν)—“He set His face resolutely” (Internet).

 

-           One interesting point is that Jesus prayed for Peter, saying: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen (στήρισον) your brothers” (Lk. 22:32).  Peter obeyed Jesus’ words and strengthened his brothers through what he later wrote in 1 Peter 5:10: “And after you have suffered a little while, [God] Himself will restore you and make you strong, firm [στηρίξει, stērixei], and steadfast.”  What, then, is the relationship between Luke 22:32 and 1 Peter 5:10?

 

n  Luke 22:32 and 1 Peter 5:10, connected by the word stērizō (στηρίζω, “to strengthen, to make firm”), reveal Peter’s remarkable spiritual journey of failure, restoration, and the fulfillment of his calling.

 

1.      The Relationship Between Command and Fulfillment (The Continuation of Mission)

 

Luke 22:32 (Command): Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, but He also knew that Peter would be restored. Therefore, He gave Peter his mission in advance: “When you have turned back, strengthen (στήρισον) your brothers.”

 

1 Peter 5:10 (Assurance): Years later, the aged Peter writes to suffering believers and proclaims that God Himself will “make you firm (στηρίξει).”  He is fulfilling the mission entrusted to him by Jesus—establishing and strengthening the saints.

 

2.      A Change of the Subject: From Peter to God

 

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus commands Peter to do this work.

 

In 1 Peter, Peter confesses that the ultimate One who accomplishes this work is God.

 

Peter, who once failed while trying to protect the Lord by his own strength, ultimately came to realize that the power to strengthen the brethren does not come from human will, but from “the God of all grace.”

 

3.      The Necessity of Suffering and Trial

 

Luke 22:31–32: Satan’s testing—“sifting like wheat”—is shown to be a process necessary for growth.

 

1 Peter 5:10: The “little while” of suffering endured by believers becomes the very means by which God makes us complete and firm (στηρίξει).

 

Summary The relationship between these two passages is a beautiful biblical contrast that proves this truth: Peter, who once failed, was restored through Jesus’ prayer and became one who now strengthens others.  Through the epistle of 1 Peter, Peter bears witness to the grace of God that he himself experienced (Internet).

 

(3)   Third, we meditate on the words that Jesus sent messengers ahead of Him, so they went and entered a Samaritan village in order to make preparations for Jesus.  However, because Jesus was on His way toward Jerusalem, the people of that village did not welcome Him (Lk. 9:52–53).

 

(a)    What, then, were the messengers trying to prepare for Jesus? Primarily, it was lodging and food for the large group traveling with Him.  “At that time, not only the twelve disciples but also many women and followers were traveling together with Jesus.  Since the region of Samaria was hostile toward Jews, it was not easy for a large group to suddenly enter and find a place to stay.  Therefore, messengers were sent ahead in advance to secure safe lodging and meals” (Internet).

 

(i)               An interesting point is that the expression “to send messengers ahead” calls to mind Malachi 3:1 (“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me”).  “This goes beyond merely arranging sleeping accommodations; it has a strong ministerial character, seeking to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah on this decisive journey toward Jerusalem and to prepare people’s hearts to receive Him” (Internet).

 

(b)   However, the reason the Samaritan villagers did not welcome Jesus—because He was traveling toward Jerusalem—reveals that the core of their rejection lay in religious exclusivism and a mismatch of expectations.  The fact that they rejected Him not simply because there was no room, but specifically “because He was going to Jerusalem,” carries the following deep meanings (Internet):

 

(i)               An age-old conflict over the place of worship: At that time, the Samaritans believed Mount Gerizim to be the only legitimate place of worship, whereas the Jews insisted on the temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem signified, in their eyes, that He was rejecting the Samaritan religious system and choosing Jewish identity.  To the Samaritans, His journey to Jerusalem appeared as an act of disregard toward them, and thus they lost any willingness to receive Him as a “prophet” or “Messiah.”

 

·        Disappointment that He was not a Messiah “for us”: The Samaritans also awaited their own Messiah (the Taheb).  If Jesus had stayed in Samaria and taken their side, they would have welcomed Him enthusiastically.  However, His destination was Jerusalem, a place they despised.  When they realized that Jesus’ ministry did not align with their regional and religious interests, they immediately closed the doors of their hearts (Internet).

 

-        Here, Taheb (תאהב) comes from an Aramaic root meaning “the One who returns” or “the Restorer.”  It symbolizes a figure who would restore the relationship between God and the people and recover the lost true worship.  The Samaritans believed that when the Taheb came, he would rediscover the tabernacle vessels hidden on Mount Gerizim—regarded as their holy place—and fully restore the sacrificial system that had been interrupted.  One reason the Samaritans rejected Jesus was that the Taheb they awaited would naturally honor Mount Gerizim, yet Jesus had firmly resolved to go toward Jerusalem, the very opposite pole (Internet).

 

(4)   Fourth, we meditate on the words spoken by the disciples James and John when they saw that the Samaritans did not welcome Jesus: “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Lk. 9:54)

 

(a)    James and John, who had received from Jesus the nickname “sons of thunder” (“Boanerges,” Mark 3:17), were men of very impulsive and fiery temperament.  When they saw that their Master, whom they served, was rejected by the Samaritans, they could not tolerate it and immediately asked Jesus for judgment and retaliation: “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Lk. 9:54) (Ref.: Internet).

 

(i)               This request is rooted in the Old Testament account of the prophet Elijah calling down fire from heaven when confronting soldiers (2 Kgs. 1:10–12).  Having just witnessed Elijah personally at the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:30), they believed that Jesus’ authority was greater than Elijah’s and that they themselves therefore had the right to carry out such judgment.  Just as Elijah had called down fire to destroy the soldiers sent to arrest him, they believed that they too could judge the Samaritans by the power of the Messiah (Internet).

 

·        “The disciples thought that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to be enthroned as king.  Therefore, they regarded the Samaritans who obstructed the king’s path as ‘enemies deserving judgment.’  However, Jesus’ destination was not a throne of judgment but the cross.  Their words reveal that they had forgotten that He came not to destroy, but to save” (Internet).

 

-           “The deep-seated hostility that Jews harbored toward Samaritans, once given religious justification (‘they did not receive Jesus’), manifested itself as violent condemnation.  This stood in direct opposition to Jesus’ teaching, ‘Love your enemies’” (Internet).

 

(5)   Finally, fifth, we meditate on the words that Jesus rebuked James and John and went on to another village with them (Lk. 9:55–56).

 

(a)    “The disciples mistakenly believed that simply because they were on Jesus’ side, they had the right to condemn others.  By rebuking them, Jesus taught that God’s reign is established not through hatred, but through patience and mercy” (Internet).

 

(i)               According to some manuscripts and ancient translations (NASB, footnotes of the Revised Korean Version, etc.), Jesus said the following at that moment (Internet):

 

·        “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of” (Pointing out their failure to discern between satanic anger and the work of the Holy Spirit).

 

·        “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

 

-        “Jesus made His purpose unmistakably clear to the disciples.  He demonstrated that the power of the Messiah does not lie in the ‘violence’ of destroying enemies, but in the ‘salvation’ that gives life to those who are perishing” (Internet).

 

n  “True victory is not in calling down fire from heaven to burn enemies, but in melting the hearts of enemies through the love of the cross” (Internet).

 

(b)   When the Samaritans did not welcome Him, Jesus neither retaliated nor forced them into submission.

 

(i)               Jesus did not fight against or retaliate against the Samaritan village that rejected Him; He simply left the place.  This shows that the gospel is spread not through coercion or violence, but through peace. It serves as a practical example of the instruction He later gave to His disciples in Luke 10:10–11, to “shake the dust off one’s feet” (Internet).

 

·        “Jesus’ goal was not to subdue the Samaritan village, but to complete the salvation of humanity in Jerusalem (through the cross and the ascension).  It reveals His firm determination to move silently forward toward the ultimate mission God had given Him, without wasting energy on trivial criticism or rejection” (Internet).