Luke 9: The Kingdom of God

Chapter nine begins with sending out the twelve disciples to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal and moves on to the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus next has a discussion that follows on previous inquiry regarding who Jesus is. not once, but twice in this chapter; with the transfiguration in between. Jesus also talks about the cost of following Him.

Verses 1-6 Sending out the twelve disciples • Jesus sent out the disciples to both preach the , heal, and cast out demons. • Luke makes it clear that Jesus didn’t send them out without giving them the power and authority to do what He sent them to do. God will never ask us to do something without the required gifts to accomplish the task. • Jesus told them to take nothing with them; for they would be provided for. • Jesus wanted them to learn to rely on the fact that God would provide for them on their journey. Note: There is a strong message here; God will provide both the physical needs and spiritual gifts for us to serve Him during our journey of faith with Him. • Jesus didn’t send them out to strong arm people; if the message wasn’t received – move on - simply forget about that community (shake the dust off your feet) and move on. • The twelve went out and did exactly as Jesus asked. This had to be very fulfilling for the disciples.

Verses 7-9 Herod confused • Herod (-this is the son of ) was puzzled when he heard about Jesus’ ministry and everything that was happening. Some even thought that Jesus was the risen from the dead. • Herod even remarked about the fact the he beheaded John and not here is another prophet like him. • Herod Antipas had some spiritual curiosity and so he wanted to see who was causing all the fuss, doing miracles, and even to figure out if Jesus might be a political rival. Note: We need to remember the prophecy again of Malachi 4:5-6, regarding the promised Messiah.

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• Some even thought John had risen from the dead. There was much confusion; was John the Messiah, was Jesus the Messiah, or was this Elijah. • One can only speculate on all of Herod’s motives when he said he wanted to see Jesus. :32 notes that Herod wanted to kill Jesus.

Verses 10-17 Apostles return and the feeding of the 5,000 • Luke spends little time on what the disciples had to say to Jesus about what happened on their journey. Luke must figure we know based on what Jesus sent them to do and the power and authority given to them. It does emphasize to us thought that Jesus wanted to know and hear from them on what happened • They went away to a private deserted place belonging to , but the crowds found out and followed. • Jesus didn’t turn the crowds away. Note the language; “He received them.” • Jesus received them and taught them (about the Kingdom of God) and healed those who needed healing. • After a long day, the disciples had, had enough and suggested that the crowd by sent away to find food and lodging. • Jesus instead (on the heels of their being sent out to teach and heal people) challenges the disciples to give them something to eat. • The disciples, despite their recent success through of this as impossible, given the huge number of people. • Jesus wanted to teach the disciples and give them a part in His work. He tells the disciple to organize the people in groups of fifty. This work also provided for an accurate count. • Jesus then took five loaves and two fish and prayed and passed them out to the multitude. Luke is making it clear here that Jesus is seeking the Father’s blessing on this feast and thank Him for it. • John, in his writing of this, notes the source of the loaves and fish to be a small boy. Note: We need to reference 2 Kings 4:42-44 here, and note that Elijah once fed 100 men with 20 barley loaves and a few ears of grain and there were leftovers. • Everyone ate and was filled and there were 12 baskets left over.

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Verses 18-27 Who is Jesus and Jesus telling of His death • Not long ago, before his death, John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. • Jesus now, with all the speculation from many different people, finally gets the disciples alone and asks; “Who do people say I am?” • The responses include Elijah or one of the old . Note: Elijah prophesied against corrupt rulers and this led people to think that maybe Jesus would be the “king-like” or political savior they were looking for. • Jesus then asks the disciples who they think Jesus is. • Peter responds; “God’s Messiah.” • Luke doesn’t go into as much detail of Matthew or Mark on Jesus discussion with Peter and the disciples. • Peter knew the truth and we know that this response could only come from God giving Peter this information. • Jesus again tells the disciples this must remain a secret. Jesus didn’t want His true identity known until His ministry on this earth was complete. It was not time for Jesus be crucified yet. • Jesus wanted to be clear that this teaching couldn’t occur until later. • Barclay notes; “Before they could preach that Jesus is the Messiah, they had to learn what that meant.” • Jesus uses this as a bridge to tell the disciples that he will suffer, be crucified, and then be raised on the third day. • Jesus was telling the disciples what it really meant that Jesus was going to be the Messiah. The Messiah, Jesus, was going to be a suffering servant, not a political messiah. • This certainly wasn’t what anyone wanted to hear. They were all hoping for a comeback of a nation; a Davidic like savior of their nation. • Jesus teaching not only include suffering and crucifixion, but resurrection as well. • Jesus now begins to clarify to the disciples what it will really mean to follow Him. It is not going to be an earthly conquering or earthly kingdom, but one of serving others and suffering to do just that. • Jesus uses the words; “carry your cross” to describe this. Everyone knew that this meant, because when the Romans crucified someone, they carried their own cross. • This teaching also emphasizes that this will not be our choice. The cross we bear will be chosen for us as it was for Jesus and the disciples.

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• Jesus continues this teaching, emphasizing that one who seeks to save their life, will eventually lose it. • In other words, we must follow Jesus, wherever the journey leads, if we want to know eternal life. Note: We can use our Baptism as a context for this teaching. When we are baptized, we die in Christ and are resurrected in Christ as well. • Jesus teaches that is doesn’t do any good to gain everything in this life, what that will cause us to lose eternal life. • Remember; Jesus avoided this temptation in the wilderness following His Baptism. • Jesus goes on to say that we cannot be ashamed of Him or His Words. Some of Jesus Words seem harsh, seem demanding, seem radical, but they are true, and we are called to follow Him. • Our faith walk is difficult; there will be times when social pressure, peer pressure, and arrogance will tempt us to deny Jesus (to be ashamed of Him). • Jesus informs them that there is a reward in the end; the Kingdom of God (Heaven) awaits. While suffering and death will occur; the promise, the reward of Heave awaits.

Verses 28-36 Transfiguration • Just over a week later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John and goes up a mountain to pray with them. • While there, Jesus is transfigured; His appearance becomes radiant. Matthew put it this way; “His face shined like the sun.” • The three disciples are allowed to see Jesus in a different light; they are allowed to see Him in His glory. God is reminding the three disciples here that while Jesus will suffer and die; He is still the Messiah, He will be raised, people will see His glory. • After this; and Elijah appear with Jesus and are recognized by the disciples (God at work in them). • Jesus talks with them; imaging the three disciples watching all this, imagine the conversation between those three! • Why Moses and Elijah? Moses represented the Law (that Jesus came to fulfill) and Elijah the Prophets (who’s prophecy Jesus fulfilled). • Luke tells us that the three disciples were heavy with sleep and likely missed part of this discussion.

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• Charles Spurgeon notes that Jesus’ transfiguration came while He was praying. Our own blessings, our own change comes to us when we pray as well. • Luke also notes that they see Jesus transfigured when they are fully awake; this was not a vision or a dream the disciples had. • Peter, once again, wanting to do the right thing, suggests building three tabernacles here and staying. Peter didn’t want this “mountaintop experience” to end. • A cloud however comes over them and they were afraid. • We’ve seen over and over again that when the disciples experience God’s extreme glory, they are afraid. • Again, it is important to emphasize, this is not a dream; they are in the cloud and experiencing the Glory of God. • The voice then comes from the cloud; “This is My Son, whom I have chosen, listen to Him.” • God makes it clear here that Jesus is not the same as Moses and Elijah, but God Himself. Jesus is the Messiah and above all. • God also makes it clear to the disciple that they are to listen to Jesus! • The cloud disappeared after this and they were again, alone with Jesus. • The three never talked about this experience; perhaps because they were so stunned by it all, didn’t really understand, or the Holy Spirit kept them quiet until the appropriate time.

Verses 37-43 Demon possessed boy • Immediately when they came down; they encounter a father and his demon possessed son. Note: How often do we encounter Satan immediately after a mountain-top experience? It is not surprising; Satan wants to immediately challenge our experience with God’s glory. • The man even tells the Jesus that he asked the disciples, but they couldn’t cast out the demon. • Jesus lets them know that this failure was due to lake of prayer and fasting. • Guzik reminds; it isn’t the prayer and fasting that makes us worthy to cast out demons, but the fact that prayer and fasting brings us closer to God and in line with His will and power to do such things.

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• It also suggests that there are levels of demons and some require more power and authority to cast out; after all, the disciples had, had success earlier in this endeavor. • This was also a wonderful teaching lesson for the disciple; their failure taught them to rely on the Father for their power and authority. Their future ministry would depend on it as they waited for the Holy Spirit to descend on them at Pentecost. • Adam Clarke notes; “They (disciples) were confounded at their want of success-but not at their want of faith, which was the cause of their miscarriage.” Question: Do we fall into this trap as well? Do we want the success in ministry without the prayer, without the faith, without the sacrifice it takes to have it? • Jesus shows some frustration over this lack of faith; lack of focus and desire. • None-the-less, Jesus casts out the demon. The demon tries his best to hang on (throwing the boy down and convulsing Him). • Think about this in light of the mountain top experience; Satan will do everything to distract us from the truth. Satan will throw us down, place temptations in front of us, do anything to keep us from confessing our faith, coming to Him and being baptized. • Jesus wasn’t impressed and rebukes the demon and the boy is healed.

Verses 44-50 Jesus again tells of his suffering and death • Given what has happened and given the amazement of people; Jesus, again wants to get the disciples focus on the reality of His mission and the Kingdom of God. It is easy to get distracted when thing likes this occur. • Yes, this is wonderful, the healings, the casting out of demons, but this isn’t the mission for Me; the mission is the cross and the resurrection. I’m not here to create an earthly kingdom. • The disciples then began their discussion of who is the greatest among them. Seems a bit out of place given what just happened. Were some of the disciples jealous or Peter, James, and John or did they have some arrogance because they were chosen to go with Jesus up the mountaintop? Question: Do we fall into this trap and ask these kinds of questions? • Jesus, decides to remind the disciples (and us) of the basics, by using a little child as an example.

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• Jesus wanted to remind the disciples that His role, their future role, would be one of servanthood. If you want to be great, you must be the least, like this child. • As C. Marvin Pate states; “The principle being established by Jesus was that in the Kingdom of God there is a reversal of values involved. The last will be first; the least will be the greatest.” • Jesus then goes further to state that this child reflects Him. Jesus was like a child, a true reflection of the Father; humble, loving, and only concerned with the will of the Father. • We know Jesus is the greatest of all and He is reminding us why; because He served like a child. • Jesus then challenges the disciples; the least among you will be the greatest. If you want to be the greatest; you must serve like the least. • Jesus is telling us all; embrace servanthood, embrace the cross. Society tells us to step on people on our way to the top; Jesus is saying the opposite. Note: I’m reminded of a quote from Zig Ziglar; “You can have everything you want in life, if you just help other people get what they want.” • With this lesson in mind, John says; “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbad him because he does not follow with us.” • Jesus then tells them; let him do what he is doing. After all, those who do not oppose us are on our side. • Were the disciples jealous here, or selfish, or upset because others had power through faith as well? • Jesus wanted the disciples to be generous and glad that others would be able to minister as well. Note: We can learn from this; when we see those not against Jesus, they are still on our side in some way. Jesus is saying, let God sort it out. • Guzik points out; Paul saw men preaching Christ from different motives; but he could rejoice because Christ was being preached (Philippians 1:15- 18).

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Verses 51-62 Opposition and the cost to follow Jesus • Jesus knew that the time was coming for Him to be received, that is, crucified and resurrected. • Jesus’ resolve had changed; “He steadfastly set His face to go to .” • A shift occurs here in the Gospel and Jesus ministry. No longer is Jesus going to hide who He is. • Jesus sends messengers ahead to prepare for Him; but because Jesus was going to Jerusalem, these (unlike the ones before), did not welcome Jesus. Why the difference, because they viewed Jesus heading to Jerusalem with being Jewish. • The disciples were upset by this and asked if they wanted with village destroyed as Isaiah did? It is worth noting that James and John were confident that they could accomplish this; is their faith (though misguided right now) getting stronger as well? • Jesus tells them no; this is the wrong approach. Jesus again teaches them; My ministry (our ministry), the Kingdom of God is not about revenge or destroying people, but about saving them. Note: When we, when the church takes over a judgment role of people, we are doing what Jesus is telling us not to do here. Jesus is saying, love these people just as I do; we want to save them, not destroy them. • As Jesus is heading to Jerusalem someone (we don’t know who), tells Jesus he’ll follow Him wherever He goes. • Jesus doesn’t say not; you can’t follow (like He did with the Legion). Instead, He tells the man that following Me isn’t what you think it is; I don’t have a place to go on this earth. I don’t have a home where I can go and lay down and be safe. • Jesus wants us to know that following Him will be difficult. • Jesus then asks another as He did the twelve; “Follow Me.” The man responds that he first has to go bury his father. • This seems a reasonable request to stay and care for his father until he dies; but Jesus said no, follow me now. • Note that sometimes our choices to follow Jesus require us to give up things in life that are not bad. Sometimes we have to let go of good things in this life to follow Jesus and to the will of the Father. • Guzik notes here; the first man didn’t think things through and the second man thought about things too much.

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• Jesus states; “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.” • Jesus is telling us here that family obligations, or any obligation that seems important cannot be put ahead of Jesus work. • Jesus wasn’t afraid to discourage disciples; a tendency that most of us do not have. Often times we want everyone to be a disciple even though some are not cut out for being a disciple; Jesus is being truly honest here. • Jesus again tells of what it takes to follow Him; you can’t be determined to do something else and follow. • As Barclay puts it; “No plowman ever plowed a straight furrow looking back over his shoulder.” • Again, back to verse 51; Jesus’ face was steadfast to Jerusalem, He didn’t look back.

Question: Do we look back? Does our church look back? Is our church looking back right now?

Sources: Guzik, ; Luke Study Guide, blueletterbible.org Bock, Darrell L.; The Luke NIV Application Commentary Matthew Henry Commentary Spurgeon, Charles; Commentary on Luke Morris, Leon; Tyndale Commentaries Barclay, William; The Clarke, Adam; Commentaries: Luke Pate, C. Marvin; Moody Gospel Commentary: Luke G. Campbell Morgan; The Gospel According to Luke

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