Rivalry

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 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. And they went on to another village.
Luke 9:51–56
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Rivalry
There are many rivalries that exist today. Some are good-natured, like those between sports teams. Others are more detrimental and sinister, such as the famous feud between the Hatfields and McCoys. In cases such as that, violence and hatred rule the day, and it becomes almost impossible for the opposing sides to see the other as anything less than human. So was the case between the Jews and the Samaritans. By the time Jesus was incarnate, the Samaritans were a despised group whom many felt were beyond redemption. When Jesus’ overture to the Samaritans is rejected, His apostles imagine that harsh retribution is in order. Such thinking was typical, unfortunately, as the age-old conflict had not yet been laid to rest. We, too, may easily resort to similar bad judgment when faced with insults from those we see as beneath us, Yet, Jesus makes peace, not only with God but also between people. In Christ, all who repent are fully reconciled to the Father. Christ came to remove all sinful division and enmity from His people and from His Church so that we would love others just as He loves us.