way to Jerusalem. Seeing this, James and John, his disciples, said, “Lord, do you want us to
call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?” Jesus turned and rebuked them,and they went on
to another village.

As they went on their way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus As they went on
their way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and
the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

To another, Jesus said, “Follow me!” But he answered, “Let me go back now, for, first, I want to bury my father.”
And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them, and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Another said to him, “I will follow you, Another said to him, “I will follow you,Lord, but first let me say good bye to
my family.” And Jesus saidto him, “Whoever has put his hand to the plow, and looks back, is notfit for the kingdom
of God.”

Read: Elisha leaves aside his yoke and oxen, and follows Elijah. Paul invites us to drop the yoke of hatred and
walk in the freedom of the Spirit. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their spirit of vengefulness, and expresse surgency
in calling people to follow him.

Reflect: The “sons of thunder” truly lived up to their billing: for people’s in hospitality, they wanted to burn up the village!
Some early versionsof the gospel have an addition, telling us how Jesus rebuked: “You do not know what sort of spirit
you are of. For the Son of man has not come to destroy men's lives, butto save them” (v. 55b-56a). Jesus’ frustration is
understandable: None of the disciples seemed “to get” his gospel. Mark 9 is full of events of Jesus’ mercy and compassion;
butthe disciples were busy fighting asto who was the greatest among them, and forbidding someone from healing in Jesus’
name simply because he wasn’t “authorized”. Clearly, they were ruled by a spirit of narcissism, jealousy, and vengeance.
The Spirit of Jesus was all about selfgift, inclusiveness, and forgiveness.When will they – we – get the message?

Pray: “Lord, give us your Spirit ofself-donation, compassion, and inclusive love.”

Act: Examine your heart as to what delays your total embrace of Christ’s Spirit.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2022