Luke 9:49-56: For us or against us?

Luke sticks a couple of snippets together that feature John and his brother James. They were some of the more well known disciples, although we don't think much about them these days. Really, it's only Peter who we feel that we know in depth, and possibly Thomas, poor chap, because he had nipped out for something or other when Jesus made his first resurrection appearance, and had to suffer for a week before Jesus popped up again.

But James and John were in the inner circle - invited up the mountain with Peter to witness the resurrection, and given their own nicknames like he was. They were  called Boanerges, which apparently means Sons of Thunder.

Today we get a clue why they might have earned the name. They come across as a bit over-zealous, rebuking someone who was trying to copy Jesus, and wanting retribution for some ungrateful Samaritans.

Jesus shows he is prepared to be generous - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - and he's not worried about someone else making dents in Satan's kingdom. And as for the Samaritan village that wouldn't offer them houseroom - treating them like Sodom and Gomorrah seems a little bit of an over reaction.

Zeal is a difficult thing to deal with. Enthusiasm is good, commitment is to be prized, but somehow zeal is more dangerous. Too near the edge of fanaticism? Inclined to be exclusive and judgemental?

Jesus cares for everyone, not just those who say yes. So he remembers mercy.

So should we.