Luke 9
There is no better privilege than to serve God in any way – and that’s exactly what happens at the start of chapter 9! The twelve disciples have been following Jesus for long enough, and Jesus sends them out into the surrounding villages to preach the message and to heal the sick. He tells them to keep the message simple, and to be modest in their circumstances. How great an example is this to today’s church – keep it simple and modest!!
Meanwhile we have Herod appearing again, troubled this time that this new prophet and teacher may be John (who had been beheaded by Herod by this time)! Guilty conscience, perhaps?
The disciples returned, full of amazing stories of their recent missionary expeditions. When they tried to withdraw in private, the crowds continued to follow them, prompting Jesus to tell the disciples to feed them. The disciples looked around, saw 5000 people, and quickly decided it was impossible.
The miracle of feeding 5000 with the loaves and fish is one of the greatest public miracles that Jesus performed – and proves a humble lesson to the excited disciples who had returned feeling jubilant. Whilst we rejoice in the miracles that we witness as God works through us, we should never feel that it’s our place to claim any credit! Jesus shows us clearly that He is the one who can do everything that we think is impossible!
While Herod (among many others it seems) has been confused about the identity of Jesus, Peter proves that he has seen the truth, confessing that Jesus is the “Christ of God”. Jesus warns the disciples that dark days are ahead for them all, then challenges the whole of his listeners that serving Jesus will never be an easy task.
While the disciples were fairly confident about Jesus’ identity, the chapter continues with a very clear confirmation of his divinity! The Transfiguration amazes the three closest disciples, and while they want to build shrines to the three figures – Moses, Elijah and Jesus – God the Father speaks to them confirming Jesus as his Son, his Chosen One. Another fantastic yet humbling occasion for the disciples.
The disciples had attempted to cast out a demon from a young boy, and when the boy’s father confronts Jesus about it, He again shows his divinity by rebuking the demon and healing the boy immediately. From another triumphant episode, Jesus gives another stark warning that He would be betrayed and killed by the very followers praising him!
Humility seems to have been a difficult message for the disciples to learn, because they soon start to argue about which of them was the greatest – perhaps telling each other about their experiences when Jesus sent them out into the villages. Jesus uses a child to show them that there is no such thing as the “greatest follower”, and it seems that the disciples immediately missed the point by complaining that others were using Jesus’ name and authority other than their own closed group! Then they wanted to call fire upon villages that rejected Jesus’ presence! When you see the word “rebuked” in the Gospels, it means “more than angry”. Nowadays “rebuked” is what we do to children, almost like saying “Tut tut!” However, in it’s proper interpretation, it is like the feeling that you don’t just want to shout at the person, but almost become physical in your anger! When Jesus rebukes the disciples, perhaps the message finally sinks in!
Again Jesus challenges his followers that following him will not always mean “mountain top” experiences, but that you will need to sacrifice your whole life and everything that means anything to you in Christ’s service. Many may have turned away at this point, but those who are true to God will follow regardless of the challenges.
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