Never giving up
But he turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9: 55)
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. (Luke 9: 51-56)
Those who proclaim the gospel should not expect that all men who hear the Word of God will immediately welcome it. Often reactions to hearing the Gospel will be rather indifferent or it will even be outright rejected. Jesus' disciples are not asked to win but to continue fighting. In fact, those who sow do not always see the fruits of the labour. Sometimes men come to God long after His Word has been sewn. Hence, Jesus reproaches James and John for not having enough patience to wait. Do we always sow even when it seems useless? Or do we give up immediately?
