1

Sunday School Lesson Outline – Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church – 3317 Toledano Street – New Orleans, La.

February 9, 2020 --- Two Lessons in Discipleship --- Luke 9:51-62

Unit III – The Life of Discipleship

Introduction: ―Dr. John R. Rice, in Poems That Preach, wrote: I had walked life’s path with an easy tread, Had followed where comfort and pleasure led; And then by chance in a quiet place I met my Master face to face. With station and rank and wealth for goal, Much thought for body but none for soul, I had entered to win this life’s mad race— When I met my Master face to face …. I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me; And I faltered, and fell at His feet that day While my castles vanished and melted away. Melted and vanished; and in their place I saw naught else by my Master’s face; And I cried aloud: ―Oh, make me meet To follow the marks of Thy wounded feet.‖ My thought is now for the souls of men; I have lost my life to find it again, Ever since alone in that holy place My Master and I stood face to face. It is possible to be a genuine believer in Christ without being a genuine disciple.‖ – BE&I (See A Lesson In Tolerance on Page 7.)

I. MISUNDERSTANDING DISCIPLESHIP -- Luke 9:51-56

Luke 9:51-52 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to , 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the , to make ready for him.

A. Travel to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-52).

1. ―During the time Jesus had been teaching and performing miracles, He seemed to primarily focus on training His disciples. That training was now complete, and He set His attention to His final trip to Jerusalem.‖

a. ―He had faced opposition along the way; He was about to face His greatest opposition from the Jewish religious leaders.‖

b. ―Luke says He headed toward Jerusalem because the time was come that he should be received up.‖

c. ―This refers to His ascension, but many other things had to happen first.‖

Practical Point 1: ―Discipleship is about facing the risks of obedience and remaining determined to follow God.‖

2. ―In His determination to act according to God’s plan, Jesus stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.‖

a. ―The Greek word for the phrase stedfastly set is sterizo, and it means to set fast or to turn resolutely in a certain direction.‖

b. ―He was well aware of the fact that it was His Father’s will for Him to die, so He would let nothing deter Him from accomplishing that will, no matter how difficult it was going to be.‖

c. ―It is a natural human propensity to run from things that will be difficult to face, but Jesus shows us that we can face them with God.‖

3. ―As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, He sent messengers ahead of Him to help prepare for His coming.‖

a. ―We are not told who these messengers were or exactly what their messages contained, but we know His arrival was announced before He got there.‖

b. ―One such village was inhabited by Samaritans, who were not friendly toward Jews.‖ 2

c. ―Jesus, however, was willing to share His message with anyone and everyone, so He planned to travel by way of that particular village.‖

Luke 9:53-54 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

B. Incensed by Samaritans (Luke 9:53-54).

1. ―We read that the Samaritans did not receive him because He was on His way to Jerusalem.‖

a. ―They rejected Him because He was going to minister in a place they despised.‖

b. ―The Samaritans were descendants of mixed marriages that resulted from when the Assyrians took the northern nation of Israel into captivity.‖

c. ―At that time, the Assyrians purposely mixed races by taking some from the homeland to other places while bringing some from other places into the homeland. (Therefore, the Samaritans were not purely Jewish.)‖

Practical Point 2: ―Never assume that obstacles mean you are not in God’s will.‖

2. ―The Jews resented the Samaritans and the Samaritans resented the Jews. (See woman at well in John 4.)‖

a. ―The Samaritans resented the Jews because of conflicting ideas of where to worship.‖

b. ―However deep these feelings ran, Luke makes it clear that it was simply because Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem that these Samaritans were against Him and did not want Him in their city.‖

3. ―James and John immediately became incensed and wanted to retaliate on Jesus’ behalf.‖

a. ―They wanted to call fire down from heaven to consume them, as had once done.‖ (See Elijah on page 6.)

b. ―Jesus had earlier instructed His disciples that when they were rejected in any city, they were to shake the dust off their feet.‖

c. ―The prejudice displayed by the Samaritans, however, made James and John so furious that they wanted to destroy them.‖

Luke 9:55-56 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

C. Lack of spirituality (Luke 9:55-56).

1. ―Jesus rebuked them for their attitude, indicating they were far too quick to judge.‖

a. ―The Greek word epitimaō means to censure or charge sharply.‖ (It is the same word used when Jesus rebuked demons, or fevers, or stormy winds.)‖

b. ―He informed the two brothers in no uncertain terms that their request for judgment did not fit with His current ministry.‖

c. ―He had not come to destroy, but rather, to offer salvation to people.‖

2. ―Jesus Himself sometimes issued strong warnings of judgment, as we see in :13-15, but those judgments were God’s will and in His timing.‖ 3

a. ―For the present, the disciples were to change their attitudes, leave the Samaritans in God’s hands, and move on to another village. (There would be no calling down of judgment at that time.)‖

b. ―What Jesus did was leave us an example of how to handle one of the most difficult situations of life.‖

3. ―It is a very hurtful experience to be rejected by others, especially when, as far as we know, we have done nothing to deserve it.‖

a. ―Nevertheless, our first obligation to the Lord is to determine that we will not retaliate.‖

b. ―Although it can be difficult to accept, we must realize that God has a purpose in what He has allowed, including how it has made us feel.‖

c. ―We need to leave all judgment to Him and seek to learn from the situation, even if it is a lesson of showing mercy.‖

4. ―What is required of us is a willingness to forgive the person who has wronged us.‖

Practical Point 3: ―A Christian’s response to opposition and prejudice must be filtered through God’s love.‖

II. COSTS OF DISCIPLESHIP -- Luke 9:57-62

Luke 9:57-58 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

A. Leaving home (Luke 9:57-58).

1. ―The three incidents recorded next apparently occurred soon after Jesus and His disciples left , as is implied by the opening statement in verse 57.‖

a. ―The first man who stepped up to address Jesus is not identified, but he had an offer to make.‖

b. ―He said, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.‖

c. ―The same incident is recorded in :19, where we read that this man was a scribe.‖

2. ―This man was enthusiastic, but he evidently had unrealistic expectations of what discipleship involved.‖

a. ―He was probably caught up in a rush of enthusiasm, but relying on emotions alone when we determine to serve Jesus will not keep us faithful when the journey becomes difficult. (We must be willing to give up worldly security and luxury to become a loyal follower.)‖

b. ―Jesus gave the scribe an example from the world of nature.‖

3. ―He said, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.‖

a. ―Foxes and birds have a home they can return to every night but Jesus had to depend on the hospitality of others as He traveled from place to place.‖

b. ―He was unable to even use the same pillow from one night to the next— or even have a pillow at all!‖

c. ―The message to the scribe was clear: Jesus could see that he was not ready to commit himself as fully as he needed to.‖

Practical Point 4: ―Discipleship is about choosing to obey God over personal comfort.‖ 4

Luke 9:59-60 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

B. Leaving expectations (Luke 9:59-60).

1. ―While the scribe had volunteered to follow Jesus, this next man was called by Jesus to follow Him.‖

a. ―It was always an honor to be chosen and called by a rabbi as a follower, but it should have been a special honor to be called by the Son of God.‖

b. ―This was a call like the one Jesus had given to His apostles (5:27).‖

c. ―Instead of accepting eagerly as the apostles had, this man made an excuse for being unable to follow.‖

2. ―The man had something else he needed to do first, namely, bury his father. (It is doubtful that his father was dead, however.)‖

a. ―If that were true, he would have been home taking care of these matters already. (So he was really postponing discipleship to an indefinite future time when family responsibilities had been settled.)‖

b. ―After his father’s death and burial, he would be willing to follow Jesus.‖

c. ―He was unwilling to make a commitment now. (In other words, he was unwilling to leave his family and their future expectations of him.)‖

3. ―Jesus said in essence that the man needed to take responsibility for the living rather than for the dead.‖

a. ―Jesus meant that unbelievers (the dead) should take care of their deceased relatives.‖

b. ―Jesus needed people who were dedicated to spreading the message of the kingdom of God.‖

c. ―The spiritually dead could take care of the physically dead, but only the spiritually alive could tell about salvation and being right with God.‖

Practical Point 5: ―True disciples are those who are ready and willing to serve.‖

Luke 9:61-62 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

C. Leaving relationships (Luke 9:61-62).

1. ―The third person Jesus encountered had a few things he wanted to do before he began his discipleship.‖

a. ―He was not asking for as long a delay as the previous man, but it was a delay nevertheless.‖

b. ―He did not need coaxing to follow Jesus, but he wanted to return home to say farewell to his family.‖

c. ―Jesus’ response was that His work needed to be done immediately, with total commitment.‖

2. ―Jesus’ explanation came again from the world of farming.‖

a. ―When a person is plowing, he must keep his eyes forward without looking back.‖

b. ―Jesus spoke this way because He was heading to Jerusalem and would be rejected there.‖

Practical Point 6: ―Jesus requires total commitment from those He calls.‖

Compiler: Rev. Kenneth E. Thompson From: Expositor and Illuminator, Union Press, Cleveland, OH: Standard Lesson Commentary NIV, Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH; Power Bible CD, Online Publishing Co., Wordsearch 9 Basic Edition, Wordsearch Bible Software, Austin, TX.

5

Sunday School Lesson Text With NIV And Interlinear

February 9, 2020 --- Two Lessons in Discipleship --- Luke 9:51-62

Lu 9:51 ¶ And (de) it came to pass, (ginomai) when (en) the time (hemera) was come (sumpleroo) that he (autos) should be received up, (analepsis) (kai) he (autos) stedfastly set (sterizo) his (autos) face (prosopon) to go (poreuomai) to (eis) Jerusalem, (Hierousalem)

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (NIV)

52 And (kai) sent (apostello) messengers (aggelos) before (pro) his (autos) face: (prosopon) and (kai) they went, (poreuomai) and entered (eiserchomai) into (eis) a village (kome) of the Samaritans, (Samareites) to (hoste) make ready (hetoimazo) for him. (autos)

52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; (NIV)

53 And (kai) they did (dechomai) not (ou) receive (dechomai) him, (autos) because (hoti) his (autos) face (prosopon) was (en) as though he would go (poreuomai) to (eis) Jerusalem. (Hierousalem)

53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. (NIV)

54 And (de) when his (autos) disciples (mathetes) James (Iakobos) and (kai) John (Ioannes) saw (eido) this, they said, (epo) Lord, (kurios) wilt thou (thelo) that we command (epo) fire (pur) to come down (katabaino) from (apo) heaven, (ouranos) and (kai) consume (analisko) them, (autos) even (kai) as (hos) Elias (Helias) did (poieo)?

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" (NIV)

55 But (de) he turned, (strepho) and rebuked (epitimao) them, (autos) and (kai) said, (epo) Ye know (eido) not (ou) what manner (hoios) of spirit (pneuma) ye (humeis) are of. (este)

55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, (NIV)

56 For (gar) the Son (huios) of man (anthropos) is (erchomai) not (ou) come (erchomai) to destroy (apollumi) men's (anthropos) lives, (psuche) but (alla) to save (sozo) them. And (kai) they went (poreuomai) to (eis) another (heteros) village. (kome)

56 and they went to another village. (NIV)

57 ¶ And (de) it came to pass, (ginomai) that, as they (autos) went (poreuomai) in (en) the way, (hodos) a certain (tis) man said (epo) unto (pros) him, (autos) Lord, (kurios) I will follow (akoloutheo) thee (soi) whithersoever (hopou) (an) thou goest. (aperchomai)

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." (NIV) 6

58 And (kai) Jesus (Iesous) said (epo) unto him, (autos) Foxes (alopex) have (echo) holes, (pholeos) and (kai) birds (peteinon) of the air (ouranos) have nests; (kataskenosis) but (de) the Son (huios) of man (anthropos) hath (echo) not (ou) where (pou) to lay (klino) his head. (kephale)

58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (NIV)

59 And (de) he said (epo) unto (pros) another, (heteros) Follow (akoloutheo) me. (moi) But (de) he said, (epo) Lord, (kurios) suffer (epitrepo) me (moi) first (proton) to go (aperchomai) and bury (thapto) my (mou) father. (pater)

59 He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." (NIV)

60 (de) Jesus (Iesous) said (epo) unto him, (autos) Let (aphiemi) the dead (nekros) bury (thapto) their (heautou) dead: (nekros) but (de) go (aperchomai) thou (su) and preach (diaggello) the kingdom (basileia) of God. (theos)

60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (NIV)

61 And (de) another (heteros) also (kai) said, (epo) Lord, (kurios) I will follow (akoloutheo) thee; (soi) but (de) let (epitrepo) me (moi) first (proton) go bid them farewell, (apotassomai) which are at home at (eis) my (mou) house. (oikos)

61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." (NIV)

62 And (de) Jesus (Iesous) said (epo) unto (pros) him, (autos) No man, (oudeis) having put (epiballo) his (autos) hand (cheir) to (epi) the plough, (arotron) and (kai) looking (blepo) back (eis), (opiso) is (esti) fit (euthetos) for (eis) the kingdom (basileia) of God. (theos)

62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)

Elijah

The incident referred to regarding Elijah is recorded in II Kings 1, where King Ahaziah on three occasions sent fifty men to capture Elijah, who called down fire from heaven to destroy two of the groups. The third captain came on his knees begging for his life (vss. 13-14), so God told Elijah it was safe for him to go down to meet them. James and John were fiercely loyal to Jesus, but they and we must realize that judgment is solely God’s prerogative.

7

A Lesson In Tolerance

The direct way from to Jerusalem led through Samaria; but most Jews avoided it. There was a centuries' old quarrel between the Jews and the Samaritans (Jn 4:9). The Samaritans in fact did everything they could to hinder and even to injure any bands of pilgrims who attempted to pass through their territory. For Jesus to take that way to Jerusalem was unusual; and to attempt to find hospitality in a Samaritan village was still more unusual. When he did this he was extending a hand of friendship to a people who were enemies. In this case not only was hospitality refused but the offer of friendship was spurned. No doubt, therefore, James and John believed they were doing a praiseworthy thing when they offered to call in divine aid to blot out the village. But Jesus would not permit them.

There is no passage in which Jesus so directly teaches the duty of tolerance as in this. In many ways tolerance is a lost virtue, and often, where it does exist, it exists from the wrong cause. Of all the greatest religious leaders none was such a pattern of tolerance as John Wesley. "I have no more right," he said, "to object to a man for holding a different opinion from mine than I have to differ with a man because he wears a wig and I wear my own hair; but if he takes his wig off and shakes the powder in my face, I shall consider it my duty to get quit of him as soon as possible.... The thing which I resolved to use every possible method of preventing was a narrowness of spirit, a party zeal, a being straitened in our own bowels—that miserable bigotry which makes many so unready to believe that there is any work of God but among themselves.... We think and let think."

When his nephew, Samuel, the son of his brother Charles, entered the Roman Catholic Church, he wrote to him, "Whether in this Church or that I care not. You may be saved in either or damned in either; but I fear you are not born again." The Methodist invitation to the sacrament is simply, "Let all who love the Lord come here."

The conviction that our beliefs and our methods alone are correct has been the cause of more tragedy and distress in the church than almost any other thing. Oliver Cromwell wrote once to the intransigent Scots, "I beseech you by the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken." T. R. Glover somewhere quotes a saying, "Remember that whatever your hand finds to do, someone thinks differently!"

There are many ways to God. He has his own secret stairway into every heart. He fulfils himself in many ways; and no man or church has a monopoly of his truth.

But—and this is intensely important—our tolerance must be based not on indifference but on love. We ought to be tolerant not because we could not care less; but because we look at the other person with eyes of love. When Abraham Lincoln was criticized for being too courteous to his enemies and reminded that it was his duty to destroy them, he gave the great answer, "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" Even if a man be utterly mistaken, we must never regard him as an enemy to be destroyed but as a strayed friend to be recovered by love. -- Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT).

8