Jonah - Part 2

Jesus told His disciples, just before He ascended, these now familiar words (Acts 1:8):

"you will be my witnesses (martyrs) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth"

Ah, those dreadful Samaritans. But let's remember what happened on their journey to Jerusalem only about 2 months prior (Luke 9:51-56). When the days were approaching for His ascension, Jesus and the twelve traveled to Jerusalem, through Samaria where they were not received. John and James volunteered to command fire to come from heaven and consume those ungrateful Samaritans!

And now... we are to go love them and testify to them about the resurrection for their salvation?

I wonder how much John and James battled "Jonah Syndrome"?
(Compare to Jonah 3:9-4:4)

• John and James preach to the Samaritans, positive those pagans would reject them, and they could walk away satisfied in the coming judgment of Samaria.
• The Samaritans repent and God relents and forgives. Samaritans are now brothers to John and James.
• But it greatly displeased John and James and they became angry.
• John and James pray: "We didn't want to come here because we knew you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. Therefore take our lives. It is better that we are dead."
• God replies: "Do you have good reason to be angry?"

And so it was that many Jews could not tolerate the inclusion of those wicked Gentiles - certainly the Spirit could not dwell in them. And by this rejection, they tragically looked beyond the filth of their own stain. May we never underestimate the depth of our wickedness.