“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, ‘Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.’” (Luke 9:55)
If we seek to define the character of Christianity, there is abundant testimony in Scripture to describe what may be called the Christian spirit, the distinguishing disposition of the heart of a Christian as Christian. This Christian spirit flows from the temper and life of Christ and is evidenced by love, grace, meekness, peacefulness, forgiveness, and mercy.
So in the encounter recorded by Luke above, it is not surprising that Christ rebuked James and John’s suggestion to call down judgment from heaven on the Samaritans when they rejected His message. His disciples thought His mission was to overthrow enemies and establish a kingdom by force. They misunderstood. The purpose of Messiah’s first coming was “to seek and to save that which was lost.” His earthly ministry supported that mission by extending mercy, longsuffering, forgiveness, grace, and the gospel message of salvation to all He encountered.
The Holy Spirit indwells the child of God. And as true disciples of Christ live obedient to the Word and will of God, the character of Christ is displayed in their words and conduct. Christ described this spirit of Christianity in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:5, 7, 9): “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Paul points to these same traits in Colossians 3:12-13: “Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.” He further lists them in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” And again in Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”
James makes a clear contrast between the spirit of Christ and the spirit of this world so that none may deceive themselves by a false profession: “If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not; and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits” (James 3:14-17).
Everything pertaining to holiness of heart belongs to true Christianity. Yet those particular graces displayed by Christ in His redeeming work and in bringing us into union with God and one another show the spirit of Christianity most clearly. Jonathan Edwards rightly observed: “these virtues are such as humility, meekness, love, forgiveness, and mercy. These things therefore especially belong to the character of Christians.”[1]
Contemplations:
- The character of Christ. Lord, help me represent the character of Jesus Christ Himself, the supreme head of the Christian church. I want my life to reflect the same meekness, patience, and mercy that Christ displayed. My speech and actions should not contradict the name I bear, but honor Him who has redeemed me.
- Learning of Christ. Lord, You tell me in Matthew 11:29: “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” These things are especially Your character, so they must also be especially my character. I confess how often I am quick to anger or slow to forgive. Teach me to put pride to death and to follow Your gracious example.
- Sharing Christ’s fullness. Lord, You are full of grace; and Christians all receive of Your fullness, including such graces as a pure spirit and gentle temper. Those same qualities found in Christ’s character are also available to me. I often fail to draw upon Your fullness, but You lack nothing. Make me depend on Your grace and not my own strength, for only You can shape my spirit after Yours.
- Following the Lamb. Christians are to be followers of Christ; and they are so, as they are obedient to that call of Christ, Matt. 11:28-29, “Come unto me and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly of heart.” Lord, help me to follow You as I ought, Rev. 14:4, “These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” May I not wander after the spirit of this age, but walk after You, no matter the cost, trusting Your meekness and lowliness to be my strength.
Prayer (adoration)
Lord God, eternal Father, full of majesty and glory, I lift my heart in adoration to You. You are holy, perfect, and righteous in all Your ways. You have revealed Yourself in Jesus Christ, who came not to destroy but to save, not to crush but to heal, not to condemn but to redeem. I stand in awe of such mercy. The character of Your Son shines brighter than all the splendor of men. He is meek, He is lowly, and He is full of grace and truth. I worship You for giving Him to be my Savior.
You have made known that true greatness is found not in power but in humility. Your kingdom is marked not by wrathful judgment but by patience and compassion. In Christ I see Your heart, a heart that welcomes the weak, pardons the guilty, restores the broken, and calls sinners into fellowship with You. I adore You because Your wisdom is not of this world. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy.
I delight in the Spirit You have given. The Spirit of Christ dwells within me, shaping me, sanctifying me, causing the life of Jesus to be seen in my mortal body. I praise You that Your Spirit is not harsh or cruel, but tender, gracious, and strong. I exalt You that Your Spirit produces fruit in me—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
How glorious is the Savior who rebuked His disciples when they wished for fire to fall on His enemies. He would rather give Himself to death than call down destruction. That is Your Spirit, Lord. I bow before You, acknowledging that without Your grace I would be filled with envy and strife, but by Your mercy I am taught a new way.
Let every part of my soul be lifted in praise to the one who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. You are worthy of all honor. You are beautiful in holiness. You are glorious in kindness. You are exalted in meekness. To worship You is life, to behold You is joy, and to know You is eternal blessing.
I worship You, Father, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Luke 9:55:
Romans 8:7, Col. 1:21, Col. 3:12, 1 Cor. 13:4
[1] Jonathan Edwards, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996), 159–160.
