August 5

He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. - Luke 9:55.

THESE are the words of our Saviour to two of his disciples. The circumstances which led him thus to address them are thus recorded: “When the time was come that he should he received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face, and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem”-that is, these Samaritans perceived he was going to attend a Jewish festival, and not one of their own, and the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.

Now it is remarkable that they were just by the very place where Elijah had inflicted those judgments of God which came upon the men Ahaziah had sent to apprehend him; this, probably, led these disciples to think of asking permission to follow his example. And so when his disciples James and John (oh sad!) saw this, that is, the conduct of these Samaritans, they said, “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” This showed some love to their Master, and also a willingness to do nothing without his consent and approbation. This was good; but there was something else with which he was acquainted. “He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of.” Elias did not act from private resentment; he did not act as a man; he acted as a prophet of the Lord-he had a special call to do what he did. You have no such call. His was pure zeal for God; yours has in it a sad mixture of the leaven of prejudice, subsisting between the Jews and the Samaritans, above which you are not able at present to rise.

You should consider, also, that the dispensation under which he was placed, and the dispensation under which you are placed, are very different from each other; for “the Son of man is come not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Elias was under the Law; you are under Grace. “Grace as well as truth came by Jesus Christ.” Elias came in order to inflict judgment upon the wicked; “I am come to seek and to save the lost.”

Yes; the gracious and compassionate Saviour went about doing good. He never destroyed one life; he never injured one individual. No; “he came to bless us, in turning every one away from his iniquities.” And in him may we be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.