The attraction and yearning to experience God's presence never fades. As prophesied by Zechariah, people from many cities and nations are drawn to Jerusalem to seek the Lord. They say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you"(v23). Indicating that outsiders desiring to join God's people forge a new relationship. The presence of God is a magnet for fraternal worship and new followers.

Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, signalling His mission and resolve. However, a Samaritan village refuses to receive Him, simply because His destination is Jerusalem. His disciples' response was resentful, especially James and John, who reacted and urged Jesus to rain down storms from heaven. But Jesus rebukes them, showing that His kingdom is not built on retaliation, and nature is not commanded to destroy. Resistance can arise when Jesus' ways challenges human expectations. Hence, encounter with Christ and new realities provide occasions for repentance by placing things at their rightful place. God's presence invites connection. In Zechariah, people seek relationship with God and His people. In Luke, Jesus embodies that presence-but is rejected. True relationship requires openness, as Zechariah shows in faith-seeking people; Luke shows how prejudices can block that openness. In the end, God's way is peace, not force. Jesus paves a new kind of relationship based on grace, not destructive domination. The issue isn't whether God is with us-but whether we, resolutely are willing to go with Him.