Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call  down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 So they went on to another village. (Luke 9:53-56 NLT)

Remember when you were a kid or when your kids got in trouble for fighting and someone would say "He started it." Two wrongs do no make a right. The Samaritans rejected Jesus because He was going to Jerusalem. Prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans went both ways. Both were wrong. Prejudice is still wrong. Reverse prejudice is still wrong.

James and John wanted to zap the Samaritans for rejecting Jesus. But Jesus would not let it happen. He was going to Jerusalem to pay for the sins of all people, to open God's Kingdom to all who would return to the Lord in repentance and faith. 

Two rights can make things better. Jesus' death and resurrection were the right things for us. Telling people about Jesus and letting God's Word and Spirit work in them is the right thing to do. Hearing about and believing in Jesus is better than rejection and revenge.