I wonder how the conversation went between the disciples and the people in the Samaritan village? The Messiah is coming you say? Whose Messiah? Is he staying long? Oh – Jerusalem you say? – well he can’t be our Messiah, he’s going the wrong way.

For Samaritans, Jerusalem was not their sacred city – they believed the most important, holiest place, was Mount Gerizim.
The disciples, with their passion and faith in Jesus, had expected the Samaritans to welcome them with open arms perhaps?

It’s very easy when you are passionate about something, to expect others to feel the same – but unless it is relevant to them, they simply won’t. We spend long hours wondering how to take the message of Jesus to those who know nothing of Him, and, like the disciples, are we surprised at their indifference?

The disciples were hurt and angry that the village had been unwelcoming and perhaps sought to emulate Elijah in having it consumed by fire – but Jesus told them no. Indeed; what would that have said about the followers of Jesus that when they are not welcomed, they need to punish, to have their revenge?

Unless we live out our faith and help others to see the relevance of it to them, through the difference it makes to our lives, then the welcome we receive will be predictable!

Jesus’ friends have come across someone “casting out demons in your name”.  It sounds as if they tried to stop him because they thought he was jumping on the bandwagon, or maybe giving himself a status that in their eyes he hasn’t earned? They had, after all, just had the conversation with Jesus about who was the greatest – perhaps they were trying to change Jesus’ mind? Status was important to the disciples and here was a man using Jesus’ name and casting out demons.

Last year the Gospel choir I sing with was asked to sing backing vocals for a Neil Diamond tribute show.  I told everyone, because I was excited, that I was singing at the theatre, but I stressed to everyone “it’s not the real Neil Diamond though,” not because I was disappointed, but because I didn’t want them to think it was the real one.  Possibly because I didn’t want them to think it was VERY important, just a little bit important. I don’t think the real Neil Diamond minds too much about tribute acts; after all, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, don’t they? The tribute actor isn’t trying to fool anyone, they know he is a tribute and it will become apparent that while he won’t be authentic, he will be almost as good, and the songs will still be the same.  

Perhaps that’s how Jesus felt – it isn’t about status, and those people casting out demons weren’t doing it in their own name, they weren’t pretending they were the Messiah – they were using Jesus’ name; and apparently it was working. False prophet – or tribute?

We can be very sentimental about children, especially in churches that do not have any. We think we should treat them as if they are adults and tie ourselves up in knots about how much they understand about Communion.

There is no evidence Jesus was at all sentimental about children. He had younger brothers and sisters and no doubt remembered that children are just as capable of being unpleasant, selfish human beings as those of us in any other age group. But maybe he also remembered two characteristics of many small children that adults tend to honour less.

The first is a willingness to trust even when they do not understand, especially when a parent that loves them is involved. When we try to reduce God to what we can understand, claiming that this is what a scientific age requires, we downsize God until we have an idol of our own construction. We have decided greatness is ours not God’s.

The second characteristic is a sense of wonder that flows into what we would once have called reverence. We may not be good at nurturing this but many of us can remember moments when we felt it, long before we could have composed a theological essay. Worship is mechanical without a sense of wonder; but with it worshipping a mysterious and majestic God is possible for all, regardless of intellectual competence.

It should be no surprise that those close to truly great people frequently comment on their innate humility. Whatever hype surrounds them, they know that they are not the centre of the universe. Some of them know who is.

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me;
I am poor, and needy too.
2 Guard my life; save me, my God,
For your servant trusts in you.

3 Lord, be merciful to me;
All day long to you I call.
4 Give your servant joy, O Lord,
For to you I lift my soul.

5 You, O Lord, alone are good;
You are ready to forgive.
To all those who call on you,
You abound in steadfast love.

6 Hear my earnest prayer, O LORD;
Listen to my troubled cry.
7 In distress I’ll call on you,
For in mercy you’ll reply.

8 Lord, among the many gods
There is none to rival you;
Deeds that others may perform
Never match what you can do.

9 Lord, the nations you have made
Will come near and praise your name.
10 You alone are God; your deeds
Bring to you outstanding fame.

11 Teach me, LORD, your way, that I
From your truth may not depart;
So that I may fear your name,
Give me a devoted heart.

12 Lord, with all my heart I will
Praise your name unceasingly.
13 For your love to me is great;
From the grave you rescued me.

14 Proud men are attacking me;
And the ruthless men of strife,
Who have no regard for God,
Seek to take away my life.

15 But, Lord, you are merciful,
God of grace and tenderness,
Slow to anger, rich in love
And in cov’nant faithfulness.

16 Turn your face towards me, Lord,
And to me compassion show.
Give me strength and save my life;
On your servant grace bestow.

17 Grant a sign of favour, LORD,
Which my enemies may see;
Then they will be put to shame,
For you help and comfort me.