Luke 9:52-56 52And he sent messengers ahead of him. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, so as to make preparations for him. 53But the people did not welcome him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
The first thing Jesus encountered on his way to Jerusalem was rejection. This episode is a prelude to what he would experience on his journey to the cross. The Samaritans become symbolic in Luke’s Gospel for outsiders of Judaism, as implied by the story of the good Samaritan in 10:25-37. Jews and Samaritans had a long history of animosity, stretching far back in Old Testament history to the twelve sons of Jacob. The rivalry continued throughout Israel’s history and became more intense during the kingdom periods. The ten northern tribes split from the tribe of Judah and the small tribe of Benjamin in 921 B.C. because of the poor decision of Rehoboam.
The Samaritans lived north of Jerusalem in the area controlled by the northern kingdom of Israel. After the destruction by the Assyrians in 721, some people from the northern kingdom of Israel remained in the land. After the invasion by Babylon, those of the north who were left intermarried. The Samaritans believed they were the faithful remnant of Israel and the ones who followed the Law. Their Bible consisted of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. In the first century, their place of worship was Mount Gerizim.
Most Jews traveled around Samaria on their way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Jesus chose to go through it. He purposefully sent some messengers to prepare his visit to one of the villages. It is unclear if this was his common practice, but it would make sense to make arrangements to find a place to stay. This short mission was a test for these two disciples as they went in faith and obedience. They were essentially going into “enemy territory” to people who did not like them. The response they received was not welcoming but rejection. Somehow the people of this village had heard that Jesus was heading toward Jerusalem. Why did he not go to their holy site?
These Samaritans would rather live in their ignorance and prejudice than experience the miraculous power of God. They were too nearsighted to see past their own views and perspectives. Their problem of narrow, tunnel vision is common. People are afraid to let Jesus visit them because they are more comfortable with their own thinking and afraid to step out in faith to accept him.
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