Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Dumbest Question Ever
The last time I was at an out-of-town doctor’s office, I asked an honest dumb question. I’d already been to this medical clinic twice, so when I arrived for the third appointment the receptionist handed me the iPad so I could check myself in. I know the drill, but I asked, “Do I have to do this? I was here four weeks ago and nothing has changed.” She replied, “Yes. That’s the only way we can check you in.” I wasn’t having especially happy thoughts as I sat there wasting my time answering the same questions with the same answers as last time. In retrospect, here’s a brilliant question: Why can’t the check-in process be two simple questions: “Are you here?” “Has your personal information changed?”
Here’s the backstory to James and John’s dumb question: “As the time drew near for Him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for His arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because He was on His way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, ‘Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village” (Luke 9:51-56 NLT). Obviously, James and John utterly misunderstood their Master and His mission.
I doubt that Jesus was shocked when these two disciples asked if they could burn the Samaritans to a crisp because they rejected Him. For Jesus had previously nicknamed them the “Sons of Thunder.” Perhaps James and John thought that calling down fire would demonstrate their zeal, love, and loyalty to Jesus. But Jesus let them know that they were to have a different spirit. They were to practice love, mercy, forgiveness, and forbearance. Burning up people was not on Jesus’ to-do-list. He didn’t come to destroy sinners but to give them the gospel and an opportunity to repent.
Jesus knew James and John’s fiery dispositions when He called them to be His disciples. But they had to learn the right way to use their enthusiasm properly and in the Spirit of Christ. They needed to use it against Satan and evil, not to destroy the very ones Jesus came to redeem and save.
After such an outrageous question from the brothers, Jesus may have rolled His eyes, shook His head, and sighed. We know they were reprimanded for their hateful attitude and proposal of revenge. After being with Jesus for years, shouldn’t they have known they were asking a dumb question? No matter, He didn’t miss the opportunity to teach the boys of thunder that following Him meant they were to live a life of compassion.
Jesus’ deep empathy and love for humanity is beautifully illustrated throughout the four gospels. “But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 NKJV). Jesus still has compassion for all the lost and hurting people who will welcome Him into their life. Now we, as Christ followers, are to do the same.
The Key: Stop asking dumb questions and start showing some compassion.