As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,
Jesus resolutely set out for
Here was the response of James and John:
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village. Luke 9: 54:-56
Realize that James and John were only with Jesus less than three years at this point. Yet look at the arrogance in assuming that God would prefer they be destroyed rather than be saved. Jesus rebuked them of course because judgment is left for God alone. Jesus knew that the Samaritan could still be saved. He knew that the Gentile could still be saved. He knows today that the Muslim can still be saved.
That brings us to our key verse for today. Jesus is saying that there are other sheep. Sheep not just of the pen that you think comprises His pasture. The time will come when Jesus will return and rule over all. Then there will be one flock listening to the one voice of the one Master. But that time has not yet come. I hear all the time the Christian lament that Jesus should come soon. Yes the world has fallen and with each passing day the evil grows worse but there is still work to be done between this time and the time that there is but one flock. Our charge is to show the love of Jesus Christ not to beat people over the head with the cross. Jesus specifically explains this:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
I can hear the response already from some "but they are our enemies!" That is ok because here are the words of Jesus again:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5: 38-42
