Paul Zach and Liz Vice sing, ‘I Want Jesus to Walk with Me’.

I want Jesus to walk with me.

I want Jesus to walk with me.

All along my pilgrim journey,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me.

When the shades of life are falling

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me

In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me

When my heart within is aching

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

I want Jesus to walk with me.

I want Jesus to walk with me.

All along my pilgrim journey,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 9:51-56

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. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

Jesus ‘sets his face to go to Jerusalem’. He is determined to go, yet we get a hint of what his resolution costs him. If you were accompanying him on the road, what would you want to say to him?

Jesus rebukes the Sons of Thunder when they want to punish those who don’t accept him. How do you feel about those who reject or ignore Jesus? Is there any part of you that sometimes rejects or ignores him within your own life?

Now we hear the reading repeated. Notice what thoughts and feelings strike you and why. We know what Jesus will have to face for our sake once he gets to Jerusalem. How do you find yourself responding to this scene?

Luke 9:51-56

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. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

The Samaritans are only a few among the many who are hostile towards Jesus and reject his ministry. It’s easy to sit in judgement on them and on those who condemned Jesus to death, but what do you find yourself wanting to say to him within your own heart at this time?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen