"As the time drew near when JESUS would be taken up to heaven, HE made up HIS mind to go to Jerusalem. HE sent ahead of HIM some messengers, who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for HIM. But the people would not receive HIM, because HE was on HIS way to Jerusalem. Seeing this, James and John, HIS disciples, said, 'LORD, do YOU want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?' JESUS turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village." - Luke 9:51-56
(The first paragraph reminds us that between the two provinces of Galilee and Judea, there was Samaria. Its people were Samaritans, non-Jews, and the two people really hated each other. When Jews from Galilee were going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, every door was closed to them throughout Samaria.
It would seem that each time JESUS meets Samaritans, it is to teach us a new way of seeing those who do not share our faith. Religions have often been aggressive, at times very violent, especially those religions that see themselves as a revelation of the only GOD. This was already the case in the Old Testament. JESUS is not part of such fanaticism, teaching us not to confuse GOD's cause with ours nor with the interests of our religious community. There is absolute respect for those GOD leads by another road. What a contrast with the legends of the past that this account awakens in verse 54 [see 2 Kings 1:9].
Here JESUS tells HIS apostles to be less impulsive: the Samaritans who refuse to welcome JESUS on this occasion are not guiltier than those who close their doors to a stranger. Why destroy this little village, if by doing this they still had to look for a place in another village? It was better to move on without delay.)
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