2nd October 2012 Luke 9:51-56

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 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. Then he and his disciples went to another village.

I have been having quite a lot of conversations recently with people who are worrying that they might be being a "bad" christian or making mistakes.  They have either been told or have thought that they might be failing Jesus and that they could be punished for not abiding by whatever strict rules or codes they had heard about.  This passage is one of very many teachings in the Bible that Jesus does not call down fire or retribution; he does not hold grudges or lay blame.  Jesus is about love and forgiveness and that is the message that we need to share with those who are finding out about Jesus.