In Luke Chapter 9, Jesus was headed to Jerusalem and would be passing through a Samaritan village:
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
Three disciples (Peter, James, and John) had just witnessed the transfiguration on the Mount where Jesus had appeared with Moses and Elijah. They must have been pretty excited about their leader and His abilities by now. It had become obvious to them that they were among the elite of the day. They had been selected by the Messiah and were anticipating overtaking the existing government of the day. They had first hand knowledge of Jesus’ power and authority. They were yet to fully understand the plan of the Cross. The villagers did not share the same excitement:
53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
Notice the response of the “Beloved” disciple- burn ‘em up! John did not yet have the revelation of Love. If anything, he was bloodthirsty. Since they did not embrace the Messiah, they must be enemies and need to be taken out of the picture. Jesus never promoted any form of elitism because His ministry was to serve all mankind. He found it necessary to rebuke and warn those who were on the wrong path. There were also times He remained silent so as to fulfill the Scriptures concerning His death. Further, His ministry on earth included the necessary correction of the interpretation of the Law. Jesus found it necessary in this situation to rebuke both James and John:
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
This must have had a great impact on John. He could see this great example of the plan of salvation. Jesus did not come for but a few, He came for all of us. His message was not restricted to few, but intended for the whole world.
We must be cautious that we don’t try to restrict the Gospel but instead look at all men and women as being a part of the plan of salvation. Yes they may currently reject certain aspects of the Gospel, but in the end, all mankind is to be restored. This is truly a doctrine of Good News.
In the epistle of Titus, Paul urges us to be zealous of good deeds and warns against pursuing the wrong path:
3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 3:10 Reject a factious man (follower of false doctrine) after a first and second warning, 3:11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Both Jesus and Paul admonished us to pursue the Truth in Love. Yes, we must be corrected if we veer away from the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive this correction, we show signs of maturity and we know what manner of spirit we are.