Tag: Luke 9
Rebuked by Jesus
Scripture reading for March 14: Luke 9
“When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. And He sent messengers ahead of Him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for Him. But the people did not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” Luke 9:51-56
Jesus had been consistently revealing to His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem where He would die and be raised on the third day. As the time drew near, He ‘set His face’ towards Jerusalem. He saw His destination and divine purpose clearly. The disciples still did not see as Jesus saw. (Luke 9:44-45) Their minds were still set in the Jewish culture and their religious understanding from the Law and Prophets. Jesus chose to go to Jerusalem through Samaritan territory. His ministry was to all peoples and nations. But the Samaritans were a mixture of Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. There was jealousy and religious hostility in their culture, and they refused hospitality to Jesus and His disciples because they were Jews going to Jerusalem for Passover.
James and John, the messengers sent by Jesus, were indignant over the religious attitude of the Samaritans in refusing hospitality. They went to Jesus with a proposal–calling down fire on these Samaritans and destroying them on the spot! They likely got this idea from the prophet Elijah who called down fire on his enemies. (2 Kings 1:10) The forgot Jesus’ teaching to love your enemies and do good to them or just to leave and shake the dust off as a witness against them. (Luke 9:5) Jesus rebuke them and they went to another village that would receive them. Adopting Jesus’ worldview often takes time and some failures can be teaching points!
Have you ever wanted to get even with someone who has mistreated you or your family? Have you tried to use Scripture to justify your attitude or actions? Are there actions that you need to take in repentance to adopt Jesus’ worldview?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for wanting vengeance on those who have mistreated me. Thank You for rebuking me when I have wrongly used Scripture to justify my attitude or actions. Teach me to love my enemies and do good to those who mistreat me. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Amen.
The desire for greatness!
Scripture reading for March 15th: Luke 9
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 9:46-48 “An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside Him. Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.””
The image of God in us gives us a desire for being known and achieving greatness. We know that we have potential and are called to rule. This desire can be something that leads us to competition and jealousy. When worked out through the world’s ways it can be very destructive. But when led by the Spirit, godly people can achieve true greatness through humble service!
Jesus showed His disciples that the way to true greatness was found in kind treatment of children. The child that Jesus used represented the weak, vulnerable, and impressionable of society. His disciples were to welcome them and treat them with kindness and compassion. As they humbly served the least, they would achieve true ‘greatness’ in the eyes of God.
Observations for over-comers: Beware of jealousy and competing for power or position, even in the church culture. Humbly serve the least and God will exalt you! “Should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people,” declares the Lord, “but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” (Jeremiah 45:5)
“Follow Me!”
Scripture reading for March 16th: Luke 9
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Luke 9:57-58) Many people think that following Jesus will be a power trip of miracles, signs, and wonders. At the height of Jesus’ popularity, many were crowding around Jesus and like this man, vowed to follow Him. Jesus did not let this man off easily. He warned him about the road He would travel. Each person must count the cost!
“He (Jesus) said to another man, “Follow Me!” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60) This man had a direct invitation from Jesus to become a disciple. He had concerns about His own father and possible inheritance at his death. Jesus rebuked him and gave a specific command to go and preach the kingdom of God. We have no indication of whether or not he obeyed.
Another man proclaimed his willingness to foll0w Jesus but wanted to go say ‘goodbye’ to his family. “Jesus replied, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Following Jesus involves full commitment and sacrifice. Serving Jesus means putting Him first above personal desires and family responsibilities. Are you willing to follow Jesus? It is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are out of this world!