The answer is: Call down fire from heaven

Luke 9:54 - The vengeance belonged to God, it was not for them to attempt it and so Jesus rebukes them.

James and John, the brothers known for their fiery spirits — often nicknamed the "Sons of Thunder” — had a pretty intense plan for the unwelcoming Samaritan village. They’d witnessed Jesus’ miracles and the rejection of their Master fired them up so much that they wanted to unleash divine retribution! But fear not, Jesus had other ideas.

When they asked if they should call down fire from heaven, it was reminiscent of the Old Testament stories where Elijah called fire down to consume his enemies. These narratives echoed deeply with the Jewish understanding of God’s judgment. However, Jesus takes this moment to teach them a critical lesson. Rather than engaging in vengeance or animosity, His mission was one of love and redemption, even toward those who rejected Him.

This story gives a terrific snapshot of how different the Kingdom of God is from the kingdoms of this world. While human nature often recoils in revenge, Jesus exemplifies grace and mercy, turning his disciples from retaliators into ambassadors of peace. Moreover, considering the animosity between Jews and Samaritans — darkened by centuries of history — this moment was not only personalized with rebuking James and John but also revealed a broader call to embrace even those considered adversaries.

In essence, the Gospel asks us: How do we respond to rejection and hostility? Instead of thunder, perhaps we’re called to offer compassion instead— a real act of transformation for those who let anger ignite first!