Day 108 What is the significance of facing Jerusalem?

What is the significance of facing Jerusalem? In the passage..." 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."

Apparently, there was such dislike from Jews toward the Samaritans they would travel as far away as possible. Today's reading illustrates the great distrust from Samaritans toward Jews. Notice the disciples response to the problem. They were missing the point is Jesus crossing barriers. In crossing barriers, humanity has not changed much at all. (For more read day 108, November, 2006)