31: Who IS This? (Luke 9:1-9, 18-20)

While the ministry of Jesus was highlighted by miracles, parables, and principles, the identity of Jesus that has caused considerable turmoil between His followers and His detractors. Indeed, the identity of Jesus was of great concern to the ancient audience that gathered to see His miracles and hear His teaching. While Jesus rarely gave clear answers to acquaintances regarding His identity, He both welcomed and invited His disciples to discuss the issue when He asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Interestingly, as was true in the first century, the identity of Jesus continues to deeply divide and uniquely unite people from all walks of life. Today we discover why. PRAY

Who IS This? So far, throughout this writing Dr. Luke has been setting us up for this climatic moment, when the apostles of Jesus answer this question based on the evidence of what Jesus has done & the experience of doing life with Him.

Luke 9:1–2 (NIV)

1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Now the apostles will live up to their name. These twelve are being 'sent out' (which is 'apostle' means) to proclaim the kingdom of God.

To proclaim the kingdom of God is a speak of the King's domain - His authority over all creation. This was 2-fold: To warn of God’s wrath & offer God’s peace. This was the message of John the Baptist, Jesus, & His disciples.

The miracles of driving out demons & curing diseases provided evidence that the message they proclaimed was truly from God.

Luke 9:3–4

3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.

Why did Jesus tell them this? Jesus uses this as a training exercise to demonstrate the He will provide food, protection, & shelter, even when He is not physically present. This lesson will be very important in the coming days when Jesus leaves & the Spirit comes.

So they were to take nothing for the journey. Later, Jesus asks the apostles about this experience and they remembered that all their needs for provided for on this mission.

Luke 22:35

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

On a side note: This is an example of why we should ask whether this is DESCRIPTIVE or PRESCRIPTIVE for us. Descriptive is what DID happen and prescriptive is what should happen. Is this a command for us to take no provisions when you go on a mission trip?

I can only imagine knowing that the guy going with you to Haiti has no bag, no change of clothes, no money, and likely no passport…and NO DEODORANT! Don’t blame your lack of planning Jesus saying…’take nothing for the journey’.

What about the time when Jesus later commands them the apostles to take money, bag, & a sword in Luke 22:36-37? Obviously, Jesus gave the apostles these particular commands - prescriptive for them - descriptive for us.

Also, they were to stay in the house that took them in. They weren’t to upgrade to a bigger home, with more enjoyable people, and better food. They were to be content with what God had provided for them. They would be grateful and stay in that home until they left that town.

But what if they entered a town that did NOT welcome them?

Luke 9:5

5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

When judgment came to that city, the apostles didn't 'even want to have a speck of dust from the streets left on them.'This was 'a testimony that the messengers had been in the city but their message had been rejected.'

This is exactly what happens in Luke's sequel: Acts 13:51

Acts 13:51 (NIV)

So they [Paul & Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.

Luke 9:6 (NIV)

6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

R.C. Sproul calls this 'a spiritual blitzkrieg'- a fast paced, lightning-like advance to conquer the enemy.

Sproul writes: “It is one thing to imagine the impact that Jesus made when he, by himself, preached and taught and healed. But now that ministry had been magnified; twelve other people doing the same thing, under his authority.”

Who IS This?

Robert Stein asks this question in his commentary: “Who is this before whom nature, the spirit world, disease, and death prostrate themselves?”

It was this magnified ministry of Jesus that caused others to wonder what in the world was going on.

Luke 9:7–9 (NIV)

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

As bold as John was, as many as he baptized - he did no miracles…nor could he give his disciples the authority to do miracles…so the question everybody wanted answered was…Who IS This?

Next week TJ will teach the following section, but we are going to skip over to v.18 to finish today’s study…and get an answer to the question…

Luke 9:18–19

18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

First, you need to know that there was no thought of reincarnation in the Jewish world. So, when people said that Jesus was John the Baptist who had been beheaded, they thought that Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected from the dead.

Elijah never died. God took him to heaven while Elisha watched it happen. As we learned earlier in the Luke Series, Malachi 4:5 prophesied that Elijah was to appear before 'the dreadful day of the LORD...'

The other prophets died hundreds of years before. So some thought Jesus was a resurrected prophet now going by a different name. This is a HUGE statement of faith!

…But it isn’t right.

Then Jesus turns to the guys He has been investing in…the ones who have seen Him feed thousands (as you’ll study next week); they have experienced His power to heal diseases & cast out demons. They’ve even watched Him calm the storm & sea…and raise the dead!

And now it’s time to answer the question they have been asking each other: “Who IS This?” Imagine Jesus looking them in the face and asking…

Luke 9:20

20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Your translation might use the more literal rendering, “The Christ of God.” Remember that the Greek ‘christos’ is the word for the Hebrew ‘Mashiach’ or English Messiah. This word was used of David & several others who were anointed by God…but Peter’s answer is more than just ‘another anointed one’….

In fact, Luke has mentioned how significant Jesus was throughout His gospel. Early on Dr. Luke notes that Jesus was the Messiah.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:26 (NIV)

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

FINALLY - the apostles of Jesus get it! The answer to the question Who IS This? …Jesus is God’s Messiah - the ONE Israel had been waiting on for over 400 years!

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

Luke gives us the cliff notes of the conversation. Let’s finish with this passage from Matthew that shows us more.

Matthew 16:16–18 (NIV)

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

What is this ROCK? The Roman Catholic church says it is Peter…but that’s NOT what the entirety of the New Testament says…The ROCK…the FOUNDATION…is in the statement that Peter made: Jesus is ‘the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’

And…

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

It is HIS identity that brings us security. Throughout the New Testament the apostles of Jesus don’t point people in trusting their own good deeds or gaining knowledge to know God. Instead, they point to JESUS…the Messiah…the Son of the living God.

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

Where is YOUR hope?

Other people? That hero, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend might be a great person…but that person isn’t a very good GOD. That person won’t fulfill your deepest need.

Where is YOUR hope? Material possessions? That vehicle, house, or bank account…it doesn’t fulfill for long.

Where is YOUR hope? Your religious devotion or good works? If you could be good enough…why did Jesus go to the cross?

Shape Ball - NOTHING

Where is YOUR hope?

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE ISBIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS-418087427000

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

BIG TRUTH: Our Hope is Found in WHO HE IS

You need to know WHO Jesus is…

Answer the question “Who IS This?”. Read John 1:1-14; chapters 5,8,10…and 20:26-29. Go back and read Luke 5:17–26.

Give Jesus 1st place of your life. Stop forcing things that DON’T FIT.

PRAY