Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62

What caused James and John to have such a powerful reaction? The rejection by the Samaritans was more than a “No Vacancy” sign. It wasn’t a polite refusal. Whatever their rejection was it put the Sons of Thunder in the mind of the fire-from-God type punishment. The fire of God fell on Sodom (Genesis 19:24-25) and it exploded against those who were disrespectful toward worship (Lev 10:1-2 and Numbers 3:4, Numbers 16:35). It fell on the disrespectful soldiers sent to bring Elisha in for questioning. (2 Kings 1:9 and following) While the fire from God is not without precedent it was rarely used and represented only the most horrific disrespect toward God or His called servant. James and John may have been hot under the collar for a good reason. Samaritans had the ability to be thoroughly nasty people. So the rejection by the Samaritan village that was less than gracious might not be unexpected. But these circumstances had the brothers ready to defend Jesus’ honor.

Interestingly, Jesus rebukes James and John but not the city. Jesus apparently had nothing to say to or about the Samaritans, but rebuked His loyal followers before moving on.

This is nearly the opposite of how we in the church respond. Often times the church seems incapable of reproving, rebuking or correction of its own. We will allow the most egregious behavior within our own while at the same time offering the most aggressive condemnation of those outside of our own little group. Let’s be honest we would rather call fire down on people who are different from us than to carefully examine our own lives and attitudes. Before I call fire down on anyone I need to check my own heart and see if I might need a little purifying myself.

“Lord, grant me a grace filled heart toward those who do not know You, and vigorous aggression toward the sin in my life. AMEN”

Luke 9:37-50

Luke 9:37-50

From the mountain top experience to a “life is the pits” experience is what happens to Jesus and the three apostles with Him. After the Transfiguration they have to first face a stubborn demon. The spirit did not come out at the disciples’ command. We get the idea that chaos was about to erupt in the crowd. When the boy is brought to Jesus the spirit seizes the boy. The word used here was used of Olympic boxers who delivered a knockout punch. Jesus heals a boy and three related events occur. First, everyone is amazed and marveling at God's great blessings. Second, Jesus begins talking about going to the cross and the disciples did not understand Him. Third, an argument breaks out among the disciples about who is going to be the greatest, at which point, Jesus sits the child beside Him.

While these are not unrelated events, though at first glance that may seem to be the case. The power of God being manifested and the support of the crowds cause the Twelve to think of the coming Kingdom. In their mind, that means a political kingdom, it means political power and they all want to have an important role in that Kingdom and a part of that power. Jesus emphasizes the cross, but the disciples could not understand how that would fit into the Kingdom plan. They are driven by their own agenda. They could not comprehend the Lord’s agenda. Jesus places a child at his side. Remember the place of honor and power is beside the king. Power in the kingdom is derived from the cross not from popular support. Power in the kingdom is expressed in service not in the ability to command. Power in the kingdom is not for the benefit of those in authority but for the benefit of the helpless. The only way not to lose sight of our calling as disciples is to constantly focus on the cross.

“Lord, never allow my agenda to cause me to loose sight of the Cross. AMEN”

Luke 9:28-36

Luke 9:28-36

There is so much in the Transfiguration that you could develop a book solely for its study. But there's a single phrase that we might overlook that has application for us. In verse 33, we read, “…not realizing what he was saying”. Peter wasn't babbling incoherently; he was saying what was on his mind but what was on his mind didn't make sense!

He didn't like the idea of a suffering Messiah and after the great confession said as much. From his perspective this is much more attractive, more enjoyable, more marketable option. Rather than a cross, Peter prefers a mountaintop experience of glory and celebration. Like a TV producer Peter wants the grand show of the glorified Jesus with two supporting celebrities-no less-to continue.

The “Tabernacles” was a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, the most joyous Feast of the Jewish year. It was sort of weeklong party combined with a family reunion and Thanksgiving banquet. Let's be honest, that sounds a lot better than a torturous death on the cross. Between the two, the choice seems pretty simple.

Add to this a bit of desperation and we can see Peter’s earnestness. Luke says, “They were parting.” It appears that the departure of Elijah and Moses was gradual not sudden. Peter sees that they are leaving and in desperation proposes a way to keep the celebration going.

Peter's not knowing what he was saying was not incoherent nonsense; but rather, he did not know what the Lord wanted. He didn't understand the will of God. Yes, there is glory and celebration and a righteous party. But it is on the other side of the Cross. When Jesus says, “I'm going to suffer,” He knows what He's talking about. Listen to him!

Much of the church today is like Peter. We want a faith that is perpetually a party. Instead, we need to listen to Jesus accepting the invitation to the cross.

“Lord, grant me the grace of suffering for my Lord as you suffered for me. AMEN”

Luke 9:18-27

Luke 9:18-27

For Christ and the disciples there is an unbreakable link between the confession and the cross. It is in the great confession that Jesus begins telling most directly about what will happen at Calvary. The conversation flows seamlessly from “the Christ of God” to “let him deny himself”. This is the hardest part of the Gospel. To deny oneself is not some special level of discipleship for a select few, it is the core of being a disciple.

Certainly the end of slavery in the western world has been a good thing, but with the loss of the institution we have lost an understanding of how completely one person could own another. The slave is completely the master’s, an extension of the master without rights, dreams, possessions and aspirations of his/her own. As disciples, we deny our rights, our dreams, our possessions, our aspirations and ourselves. We not only die to the world we die to ourselves. This complete self-denial is perhaps the most rare thing on earth. Paul describes it as being crucified with Christ, it is indeed rare.

How much of our lives revolve around the simple words, “I want”? We have tasted the innocent and sweet gifts of God, good things He gives for our benefit and blessing and having enjoyed them we have pursued them as our goal for life. No disciple can look at another to judge if the other disciple is denying self or living under the cross. However, we must all do that for ourselves everyday.

“Lord, help me take up my cross and die to myself. AMEN”

Luke 9:1-17

Luke 9:1-17

Jesus sent the disciples out with the commission and command to operate on faith. “Ministry with the minimal” might be a way to describe what they did. Verse 3 is a passage that is never quoted in church planting training or any new ministry venture. In the American church we have placed such an emphasis on massive stockpile of resources that it may have compounded our ineffectiveness. We might do well to meditate on the contrast between how Jesus sent his disciples out and what we believe we need to “do Church”. We've become so accustomed to the massive amount of stuff that a church owns that we think it is the norm. Even the smallest of churches has lots of stuff and feels that if they could get better stuff and more stuff they could be more effective.

Jesus essentially tells the disciples they are the tools of the trade. You don't need anything except My calling and My sending. Those two things are all you need. Big church or small church, if we depend on buildings, programs, and materials to be successful we will never succeed and will feel like we need just a little more.

However, we do live in a material world where food, shelter, and clothing are part of the requirements. The story of being sent out without provisions is placed next to the greatest story of Jesus' miraculous provision. But even in this story there is the call for the disciple to “be all in”. They gave their meager resources before receiving God's grand provision. Perhaps what is holding the church and the disciples back in our day is not that we have too few resources, but that we would rely on them too much. So, what do I do as a disciple? What are the positive applications of this passage? Perhaps this is a challenge to my real role as a disciple and disciple maker. Generosity towards serving, missions and out reached is worthwhile. But we ought not wait for another penny to provide provisions to the church. Those resources can get in the way of real ministries.

“Lord, help me to realize Your message and Spirit are all I really need. AMEN”