I love the story of Elijah. He was the prophet of fire. Maybe, I love it, because left on my own I would love to call fire from heaven and toast those who don't have any respect for the name of the Lord. Just like the disciples of Jesus, James and John the sons of Zebedee, when a Samaritan village refused to accept Jesus. HOWEVER, Jesus rebuked them, because, he came on earth to give life to people and not to make ashes out of people. Luke 9:51-56
I originally wanted to talk about Elijah, but, the lessons I learned are for my keeping and would be shared only when God says so. So, let me just wrap up about Elijah. Elijah is an ordinary man - the Bible is clear about that. He get hungry, tired, afraid, angry, vengeful, and anything common to man - except to go against his God. The God he serves considers him righteous, so, answered his prayers and honored him with great wonders before the eyes of men. He serves a GOD without any equal - the one and only TRUE GOD.
Now, going back to Jesus. Why Jesus did not allow James and John to call fire down from heaven? Those people outright rejected GOD himself. Don't they deserved to be barbecued or toasted or charred?
Jesus said NO. So, it is a NO. 'Leave them alone until the final harvest because you may pull out the plants GOD himself have planted.' Jesus was thinking of his sheep - the sheep given to him by his Father. His sheep could be one of those godless people's relatives or some of their offsprings or some of their descendants. Those unbelieving people who rejected Jesus could have been one of our 'great great great great great' father or mother. (In Samaria, many foreigners had lived, so, who knows it had been one of our kins.)
Jesus saw us and may have thought: No, don't destroy them for my children's sake. My children are way more important than getting revenge. Besides, they're doing more harm to themselves than insulting me.
Jesus knew what his purpose is when he came on earth. That he followed with all of his being and that forbid him from destroying those people before their right time. Men, if you know the heart of Jesus, would you disrespect him? I don't think so. You probably fall down at your feet and worship him, and turn your life around him.
Do you know what he gives to people who accept him? Read Isaiah 61:2-3.
- A crown of beauty, oil of joy, and a garment of praise.
It is not a life always full of light, Jesus said there would be seasons of darkness. (In seasons of darkness, God shakes the shakable.) He can never leave his children alone. So, even in darkness his children must trust and rely on their God.) However, to those who light their own fires, and love the torches they have set ablaze what you will receive from God's hand? You would lie down in torment. Isaiah 50:10-11
Jesus is a double-edged sword; he brings salvation (beauty, joy, and gladness) to those who belong to God; and judgment to those who belong to the enemy of God. So, don't be deceived JESUS CAN NEVER DO WRONG. So, his followers must be dead to sin.
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May God open the eyes and ears of his children and turn their lives around Jesus. May God bring torment to those who light their own torches in Jesus name. Amen.
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