Mosques, temples, and churches. What do they have in common in today’s world?

It seems they get bombed. Most recently the Easter Sunday explosions in Sri Lanka which shattered the lives of hundreds of celebrants gathered in three Roman Catholic churches as well as guests and staff in several luxury hotels.

There’s a surprising story in the Bible about a time Jesus stopped His disciples in their impetuous desire to destroy.

In Jesus’ day Jews and Samaritans detested each other. So when He and His disciples passed through a Samaritan village on their way to Jerusalem needing a place to stay, and were refused, right away two in the group — James and John — asked Him, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

They’d seen firsthand the authority of Jesus — but in their outrage they failed to take note of a crucial detail.

His power was manifested in love and forgiveness and healing. In teaching others, including them, to turn from wrongdoing. Never for reasons of revenge.

Their desire for payback brought a rebuke from Jesus—which must have left them more than a little chagrined. In some manuscripts Jesus goes on to say, “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.”

That’s an interesting phrase, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of.” Jesus was telling them this spirit was not coming from God. Neither was the voice speaking to the Sri Lankan suicide bombers.

It was sobering on the drive home from Easter church to learn what had happened in Sri Lanka. It made Easter — the power of Jesus’ indestructible, saving life — even more precious. Because I know the terrorists and their lies did not win.