Don't BeDistracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part III

Don’t Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part III

The enduring racial strife between the Samaritans and the Jews is a possible source of distraction for the Lord Jesus Christ.  After the Assyrian desolation of Israel in 722 BCE, some of the remaining Jewish tribes intermarried with their conquerors; thereby creating the biracial people whom we know as the Samaritans.  The Jews who refused to intermarry despise the Samaritans.  You can imagine the pejorative and profane names that were exchanged between the two groups.  Consistent with that historical baggage, the Samaritans in the village that Jesus visits enroute to Jerusalem reject Him and His message.  Luke does not tell us their specific reasons.  In addition to the obvious racial hatred, perhaps, they disagreed with His mission.  In as much as Jerusalem was his destination, the Samaritans surmise that His intentions are not favorable toward them.  Yet, the Lord Jesus does not allow their assessment to distract Him.

Their failure to comprehend His message does not deter Him from pursuing and completing His destiny.  Jesus forges ahead to Jerusalem.  In so doing, He shows us the importance of discarding unsolicited and useless opinions of others.  We must learn to put other people’s thoughts and feelings in their proper place.  Often, people do not understand who we are.  If we let them, they will live vicariously through us.  More significantly and unfortunately, they will limit our goals and dreams to their incapacities.  Rather than challenge themselves to change and grow, they settle for the “pathology of normality.”  Keeping them company in their blissful ignorance is their desire for us.  Since they have chosen to cloak their shortcomings instead of resolving them, these persons prefer that we do the same.  However, they can only have a powerful impact if we permit them.  A practical way of handling them is ignoring them.  Another method is saying “Thank you for sharing.  I am working upon self-development.” 

In total contradistinction, James and John take offense to the reaction of this Samaritan village.  These disciples fail to appreciate that feelings are not facts.  They allow their emotions to take control.  Their egotistical reaction leads to a potential abuse of divine power.  They desire to use Christ’s power to annihilate a village of undeserving men, women and children.  Imagine the genocide that would occur had the Lord assented to their worthless request.  James and John’s example teaches us to channel our emotions to godly purpose instead of satisfying the vengeful thirst of our egos.  The disciples’ reaction to the insult of the Samaritans further demonstrates their ignorance of Jesus’ mission.  They, too, did not comprehend the destiny of the Lord.  Accordingly, their emotions lead them to lose sight of the divine purpose.  Their own self-centered objectives and motives distract James and John.

How do we handle the myriad distractions of life, good and bad?  Again, the “good” distractions are often more counterproductive than the “bad” ones.  Primarily, I suggest that we seek fervently the guidance of the Holy Spirit as it relates to issues and activities that should command our energies and efforts.  Concentrate upon the issues that the Lord puts upon your heart.  If your heart burns, then pray for empowerment to be the Lord’s instrument in resolving a given issue.  Professor Frederick Buechner submits that our calling emerges at the intersection of the world’s greatest need and our hearts’ deepest desire to meet those needs.  As with the use of time and talent, the gift of tithe and financial resources flows from the passions of the heart.  We simply do not have the money to contribute to all worthwhile causes.  Let the Holy Spirit move your heart about those ministries, not-for profit organizations and para-church entities to which you should contribute.  For those to which you do not give, the Lord will move upon someone else’s heart to meet those needs. 

Secondarily, we must watch the danger of indulging our physical instincts and self-centered fears and motives.  Often, base physical impulses can distract us.  Addiction which has a spiritual antecedent, crystallizes from an over indulgence of an initial physical and pleasurable activity.  Many very talented and gifted persons have fallen prey to the clutches and imprisonment of addiction in its many forms.  President Harry S. Truman cautioned his male staff about the three “Ws and P,” wine, women, wealth and power.  Alcoholism, drug abuse, sex, greed and a thirst for raw power impede countless people from fulfilling their destinies in life.  Furthermore, grandiosity and fear are two other great inhibitors of your goals and dreams.