<<< Go back to Luke chapter eight <<<
(51) A first mission (Luke 9:1-10, 6th September 2009)
(52) Abundant hospitality (Luke 9:10-17, 4th October 2009)
(53) Suffering, death and victory (Luke 9:18-27, 18th October 2009)
(54) The glory of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36, 1st November 2009)
(55) Frustrating Jesus (Luke 9:37-48, 22nd November 2009)
(56) Setting course for battle (Luke 9:49-62, 6th December 2009)
>>> Go on to chapter ten >>>
Jesus has been doing the work of God's kingdom himself, but now the “twelve” are ready – even though they have much to learn – to undertake a task as his apostles. Jesus has shown and preached what the kingdom is about; now they will do the same with his power and authority (9:1-2). However, they are to take no supplies (9:3), unlike the chapter 8 mission. Why is this? Well, as Jesus later points out (22:35) every need will be met: he is making this an easy first mission, breaking them in gently to his service. Jesus is a gracious king who understands his people and only asks of them what they are ready to face. But, furthermore, the ease of this mission speaks of the fact that opposition isn't yet fully grown towards Jesus. Some hate him (4:29) but others who will hate him are currently uncertain (9:7-9). Luke is showing how the division of Israel over Jesus grew gradually. Some will reject, however, and so the apostles must be both preachers and inspectors of the towns they visit. Jesus says that when receiving hospitality they must remain at only one house (9:4). This presumably is because their mission will be fast-moving and also to show that they are not out simply enriching themselves. But it's also a mechanism for testing responses: if the good news is welcome then their host will gladly have them around for as long as needed; but if the good news is rejected their welcome will quickly wear off. In such cases the apostles are to make public testimony against the town by shaking the dust off their feet (9:5), thus warning them of God's future judgement upon them if they continue to reject Christ. Well, the apostles set off and do a good job on this mission, such that even Herod starts to pay attention to Jesus (9:7-10) although his later hostility is not yet visible (13:32). This mission reminds us of the hardness of the human heart. Here we see that the Lord gave so many opportunities to the Israelites to return to him! John the Baptist preached; Jesus preached; the apostles individually visited towns. Yet still Jesus ended up crucified. Which reminds us that only a heart changed by God's Spirit will truly respond with repentance and new life. Secondly, this mission encourages Christians to work for God's kingdom. These apostles were ignorant in many ways and, as we see later, prone to sin. But Jesus gave them power, authority, and a task to do. This should encourage believers not to make excuses but rather to review what they are doing for the Lord, however small. Related to this, church leaders must encourage this, being willing to delegate as Jesus did. Finally, we see in the apostles' mission that however weakly we serve the Lord, others still have a responsibility to respond to God.
(1) Are you excusing yourself from any service to God which you could in fact undertake? What will you do about that? (2) Pray for the church that we'll see God raise up Christians to share together in the work of the kingdom, particularly in areas where the church is weak.
Click here to return to the contents listing
Jesus is soon to launch into his journey to Jerusalem (9:51) and on that trip his experiences and his teaching will set the standard for his followers' lives (9:23), and the famous incident in our verses sets the scene for what's coming. In v10 the apostles have just returned from their mission (9:1-9) and Jesus takes them away for some solitude at Bethsaida, since he has some private things to say to them (9:21). However, they are disturbed by the crowds and so Jesus ends up spending the day teaching and healing (v11). This teaching occurs, however, in a “remote place” where no food or lodging are available. Jesus has had to move away from Bethsaida and no-one suggests going back. It seems that they found no hospitality there, as becomes clearer in chapter 10 when Jesus condemns the town (10:1-14). To follow Jesus is to meet with rejection by others; the same thing happens today to Christians all around the world. However, Jesus gives a demonstration of his ability to care for his pushed-away people by feeding the large crowd. The disciples recommend to Jesus that he sends the people off to find local hospitality (as they received on their mission) but Jesus tells them to feed the crowds themselves (v13). This suggestion the apostles find ridiculous since they have only 5 loaves and 2 fish! But Jesus knows what he is doing. With similarities to the experience of the Israelites in the desert, Jesus splits the people into fifties and sets the disciples over them; he then provides them with miraculous food – just as the Israelites were able to find manna and quail (Ex 16). However, there are differences as well from the “Exodus”. The food is different; it doesn't appear from nowhere, but rather is food they already had, multiplied by Jesus; and at the end there is food left over, unlike with manna (Ex 16:20). These point to Jesus' people being different to the Israelites: not following them in their moaning, distrusting rebellion but instead living by faith and acting in loving generosity towards others. And so as a community they will find their limited resources achieving abundant results, under the blessing of their Lord (v16-17) This is an important lesson which the apostles are going to need to remember: on the road to Jerusalem; after Jesus has died; and when Jesus returns to heaven. How will they cope with all the needs of Jesus' people then? They must trust him to provide as they share the little they've got. These lessons are still true today. Following Jesus still brings trouble; serving him often results in sacrifice. How do we cope? Firstly by giving one another mutual support – sharing what we have. Secondly by praying and trusting in our Lord, who is able to provide for all our needs (Mt 6:31-34)
(1) Do you have anything in particular, at the moment, that you are asking of the Lord? It's good to pray like this so that you can clearly see his answers. (2) What could you give away to help and serve other Christians? Does it seem too small to be worth giving? Do you worry about not having it yourself? Why?
Click here to return to the contents listing
Having just seen 5000 fed, the disciples may now think the way ahead will be easy. But in fact – Jesus explains – the journey he is about to undertake will be one of struggles ending with apparent defeat and the disciples can expect the same for themselves. In v18 Jesus is praying – as he always does at key times in his work. Then he turns to the 12 and asks who the crowd believe him to be. They reply that the crowds are confused (like Herod, v7) thinking him to be a resurrected prophet (v19). But, as Peter testifies, the 12 think otherwise: they know he is the “Christ of God” (v20). In response Jesus says two things. Firstly, they are to keep this secret, for now, in line with his policy of testing Israel (v21; 8:4-18). Secondly, they must understand his future as the Christ: it will mean suffering and death, before victory comes (v22). Jesus explains this whilst referring to himself as the “son of man”. This title shows us that Jesus stands with his people in their trials and temptations, an idea which is particularly clear in the light of an Old Testament passage which Jesus' name for himself points to: Daniel 7. Daniel dreamt of God's people being crushed by a worldly empire until God intervened to rescue and put them into an eternal kingdom of peace. In his dream Daniel saw God's people represented as one “like a son of man” (Dan 7:13) coming to God's judgement throne for vindication. Jesus, by using that title, is seeing Daniel's dream worked out in his own life: he will be crushed by the “iron empire” of Rome (Dan 7:7), only then to rise back up and be victorious. (although the shocking twist, Lk 9:22, is that the beast will be represented in its attack by the leaders of Israel!) This teaching must have bewildered the disciples – the Christ will be be smashed and defeated? Yet it had to be this way because Jesus' people are sinners worthy of God's eternal punishment, and so if Jesus was to rescue them, he had to suffer and die in their place. However, this has implications for Jesus' followers since they will join Jesus in his experience – just as Daniel saw all God's people being attacked. Jesus will be crucified; his people will carry a daily cross (v23). This isn't literal crucifixion (you only carry a physical cross once!) but does mean Christians will sometimes feel like condemned criminals in the troubles they face. In this Jesus knows his people will be tempted to give up, so he makes three strong statements to build up their resolve; turning away from Jesus will lead to eternal loss! So they must not fear: (i) death (v24); (ii) the loss of lifestyle (v25); or (iii) other people (v26). However, Jesus finishes on a positive note: those who remain faithful to him, will see the reality of God's kingdom – even in this world (v27)
(1) What do you find hard about following Jesus Christ? Do any of Jesus' warnings ring true in your life? How do his words help? (2) Think about Christians who are experiencing a daily cross more acutely than you are. Pray for them.
Click here to return to the contents listing
In this passage three apostles are chosen to see Jesus' victorious glory unveiled ahead of time. The apostles have recently spoken of Jesus as the Christ (v20). However, Jesus then had to explain that the road to his glorification is one of hardship and death (v22). This principle of “trouble first and then victory” for God's people is first found in the Old Testament. It can be seen in various places, including the Exodus – which connects into our passage. In the Exodus, Moses lead the Israelites on a hard, desert journey to a land of peace and blessing. Jesus himself is about to begin a troubled journey to Jerusalem (v51) which will bring him and his people into God's eternal land of resurrection joy. Now at the start of his trip Moses met with God on the top of a mountain and similarly Jesus now does the same (v28) by climbing up to pray. But unlike Moses, Jesus takes three eyewitnesses with him (2 Pet 1:16-18). Moses could not bring people close to God (Ex 24:1-2), but Jesus can (Heb 10:19-22). The three, however, do not understand their role and simply find the mountain prayer-time exhausting (v32). Yet their drooping eyelids are soon wide open, because the whole scene begins to change around them. Jesus turns gloriously bright and two other shining men appear and speak with him (v29-31). The three apostles are awestruck by this and do not know what to say. However, as they listen to Jesus discussing his “exodus” to Jerusalem (v31), and when they realise that the two new men are Moses and Elijah, then a wrong conclusion is reached. Peter assumes that the Festival of Booths is about to take place and that Moses and Elijah have returned in order to join Jesus at it; so Peter suggests putting up three shelters (v33). This annual Jewish festival looked back to the Exodus and was celebrated by the Jews erecting shelters in which they would live for 8 days (Lev 23:39). But Peter needs to know that now something much more wonderful is happening. So God comes down in a cloud and speaks, telling the three to put the past to one side, and concentrate on the future: Jesus' exodus will far surpass Moses'. Jesus is the Son who has been chosen (v35) to be successful where Moses, and also Elijah, failed. The work of Moses and Elijah was very similar. In particular, both failed to lead rebellious Israelites out of desert conditions and both were taken away by God, outside of the promised land. But Jesus will succeed where they failed and lead his people into the resurrection world. And the three will be witnesses to this (although not immediately, v36) Christians must constantly remember Jesus' future glorious return and live looking forward to it. This hope is what will keep us from giving up in the midst of hardships now.
(1) Read about the Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. Track through the journeys they took and where they ended up. Then ponder what sorts of discussions they may have had with Jesus about his “departure” there on the mountain. (2) The gospels regularly name the eye-witnesses who saw and heard Jesus in particular circumstances. How could you use this fact to show non-Christians the reliability of the Bible's record about Jesus and to explain just who Jesus is? (3) Each day of the coming week give yourself a few minutes to think about Jesus' return. Take the time to imagine the glory of that public coronation day. Then think about what it will bring to you. Write down all you're looking forward to. (4) Read through from the start of Luke 9 and turn the contents into prayer. Talk to the Lord about the hardships and the hopes of following him.
Click here to return to the contents listing
Trusting the Lord can be intensely hard, especially when he feels far away; an example of this appears in our verses. Jesus has started to prepare his disciples for the tough life which lies ahead of them. He's told them of the suffering and death which he faces and which will overflow into their lives (9:22-27); he's warned them to keep going. But this will not be easy, as is seen from events which have been occurring during Jesus' absence. As Jesus descends from the mountain tension is in the air. A desperate man brought his only son to be cured by Jesus. However, Jesus was away and his remaining disciples, despite previous successes (9:1-2), could do nothing for him (v38-40): it's all been a disastrous failure! But how does Jesus react? With frustration! Echoing the words of Moses (Deut 32), he clearly sees that the people are no better than their forefathers. Moses discovered that the Israelites would turn away from God at a moment's notice: every time there was a new problem, or Moses was away for a while. The same happens with Jesus. He goes away for a few hours and in his absence his disciples fail to heal one boy (who has been ill for years – Mark 9:21). As a result people begin to call into account whether Jesus can be trusted (Mark 9:22-24). So Jesus speaks sternly in v41, asking if they imagine that he's always going to be around to justify them trusting him? Will he put up with such a bad attitude forever? No he will not. Just as Moses warned the Israelites, in the end the Lord judges those who will not trust him from the heart. However, the time for judgement is not yet and so Jesus compassionately heals the boy (v42-43). We must ask if we frustrate Jesus in the same way. Ready to “believe” in him when life is going well but quick to change when life becomes tough. Do difficult times of life cause us to stop praying and turn away from obeying his commands? If so then we are showing that we do not really trust him with our lives because if we did then we would persevere with him during the hard times. However, the temptation to give up is very great and hence Jesus issues a warning to his disciples (v44) about coming troubles and being ready for them. But sadly they cannot understand him because their own minds are taken up with victory and greatness (v45-46). Therefore Jesus rebukes their pride by taking a child and highlighting that he is passionately concerned with those whom the world despises and ignores (v47-48). It is the “least” who will become great: those who do not make much of themselves but rather serve others no matter who they are. But such an attitude is only possible if we are trusting in the Lord for our lives and not behaving selfishly like the man, the crowd and the disciples.
(1) Ponder all three accounts of the man meeting Jesus at the base of the mountain - in the other gospels they are found in Mark 9 and Matthew 17. Can you think of situations today in which people show a similar attitude as the man, towards Jesus? (2) Would there be times when a Christian should be as negative towards others as the Lord Jesus is here? If so, which people? Unbelievers? Or only those who claim to be Christians and know God? Is there anyone you need to speak to in this way? (3) Take daily time during this week to think about the compassion and kindness of the Lord Jesus here. Consider how this should reassure you when you let him down. (4) Read Deuteronomy 31 and 32, and then Romans 11. What does Paul say about Israel's failure to follow the Lord? What lessons does he have about ourselves? (5) Consider Jesus' teaching on humility. Are you acting towards others as the Lord commands in Luke 9:48? Pray about your treatment of others.
Click here to return to the contents listing
Here Jesus determinedly sets course for Jerusalem (v51) where he must fight with evil and die, in order to win victory. And in our verses Luke records five incidents which expose Jesus' determination to do this and what it means for his followers. In the first (v49-50) Jesus' disciple John tries to stop a man who is also battling evil because even though he uses Jesus' authority, he's not one of the official 12. But Jesus does not agree because if he is prepared to fight for the same cause, it's proud folly to stop him. In the second (v51-56) John and James are aggrieved that a village in Samaria will not welcome Jesus because of their disagreements with the Jews (Jn 4), so the brothers decide to behave like Elijah and call down fire (2 Kings 1). But again Jesus does not agree because as he's already told his disciples (v22) his mission is with Israel! It's not time to launch campaigns against other nations, even half-Jews like the Samaritans. Later, after Pentecost, Jesus will send preachers to call them to God (Acts 8). In the third incident (v57-58) Jesus speaks with realism to a keen follower (Jesus is expanding his workers – ch10), showing the huge personal cost of his coming fight and thus what it will mean to go with him. In the fourth (v59-60) a follower whom Jesus calls, wishes to wait until his father is dead and buried. But Jesus presses the urgency of the task on him: when battle is engaged, all those able to fight must do so and leave the dead to the dead. Jesus and his followers must pursue God's holy plan like Nazirites (Num 6:7). Finally, in the fifth incident a follower wants to have a family farewell before joining Jesus. But that betrays a lack of awareness concerning the importance and urgency of Jesus' task. Only those with clear single-mindedness can serve in God's kingdom. So Luke, then, paints a picture of an intense and pressurised time as Jesus begins his journey: Jesus knows what it means and so must others! Of course, this was a unique point in history and Christians will not feel similarly pressurised in their service of God all the time. However, there come moments when intense circumstances break out in our personal lives, in the church, or in the country and which need us to apply these verses by: staying humble; not getting distracted; accepting the cost; making God our priority; and not turning back to a comfortable life. Furthermore, these verses also remind us that Jesus' priority of building God's kingdom must also always be our own (Matt 6:33). This means personally living holy lives, being a real part of a church and being glad for any evangelism, even by those with whom we disagree (Phil 1:18). Finally we are taught here not to hold onto this world but be willing to make sacrifices for God. Are you?
(1) Reread today's passage and let the determination and urgency of Jesus' actions and words sink in. Then read 1 Corinthians 7:29-35 and see how Paul encourages Christians to pursue single-minded devotion to the Lord. Apply this to yourself.
(2) Think about Christians who are currently under pressure. Maybe you know some personally; or maybe you can consider Christians in persecuting countries. In the light of our passage today, how should you pray for them?
(3) Examine your heart for pride. Are there other Christians whom you look down upon; think yourself better than them; or write off? Do you live in a humble way (Philippians 2)? Are you rejoicing in the preaching of Christ, whoever does it?
(4) Take time to look at the world from God's point of view. Use what you know of God's plans from the Bible to see what really matters to Him. Write down a list of God's priorities, and compare them with your own. Turn the results into prayer.
Click here to return to the contents listing