Save them, not destroy them

Luke 9:51-56 (NASB) When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went on to another village.
Reading this passage reminds me that I should not be condemning nor quick to get angry when people don’t do the right things, which happens a lot lately. Sometimes some people are not going to listen. They will not receive Jesus the way we expect them to receive him. Sometimes people will not care about who Jesus is. So no need to get angry, instead go to someone who might be looking for him. Go to the ones who are needing him and are searching to know God instead of hating him. Don’t let hate consume you but rather let the love of Christ shine through you. I need to remember that next time I see the chaos around me and I pray you do too.