But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do You want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9:53-55 ESV)
Punishment
James and John wanted to punish the Samaritans who rejected Jesus. They wanted to control and aim God’s wrath on Christ’s behalf. The were righteously angry and wanted to help Jesus by getting rid of those pesky nay-sayers.
But Christ surprised them. He does not allow them to bring fire from heaven. He does not consume them. He does not punish their sin of rejecting Him, which is the worst sin of all.
I believe He did not act in wrath at that moment because He was on His way to take all of God’s wrath on Himself. He was probably disappointed or angry at those folk who were rejecting Him.
He is disappointed and angry at every sin.
But He does not bring any wrath from heaven because God’s wrath was about to powerfully and profoundly flash down from heaven at the cross.
God, even Jesus Himself, always punishes every rebellion, every sin, every transgression, every unrighteous thought, word, and deed.
But He punishes Jesus instead of the ones who deserve it.
That’s the gospel.
It might be the most peculiar thing of all.
We are peculiar, God’s wrath came on Jesus instead of us.