What I’m Thinking: Fire from the Sky

When Jesus’ disciples asked if he would punish a village with fire from the sky, he said no.

Here’s a transcript:

I apologize for the scratchy voice. I’m recovering from a respiratory infection, and, well, the voice comes back more slowly, but I’ll do the best I can. And if you can’t understand what I’m saying, you can try the transcript at holycrosshilo.com.

I’m thinking about the ninth chapter of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 9:51-62). Jesus decided to set his face towards Jerusalem, that is, to begin a journey — what would be his final journey —towards the capital city not just of the Hebrew people were also of the Jewish faith. But along the way, he went through a village of Samaritans. But because he was going to Jerusalem, the Samaritans would not receive him. Jesus’ disciples asked, “Shall we ask God to send fire from heaven to destroy them?” Jesus said, “No,” and they went on their way.

Two thousand years later, we don’t ask God to send fire from heaven. We send it ourselves. And it doesn’t much matter what nation loads the airplanes with bombs. What matters is that death and destruction fall from the sky. And while you can say some targets are legitimate military targets, the simple truth is that people die.

People die.

Sometimes they’re soldiers — whose lives are also worth a great deal in the eyes of God. Sometimes it is civilians. Sometimes it is children.

Shall we send fire from the sky? Jesus said no.

Peace is so precious. Yet we squander it.

Shall we send fire from the sky?

Jesus said no.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.