Luke 9:51-10:24 - Barefoot Discipleship

Luke 10:1-24

Introduction

Today we begin a new series in Luke’s gospel.

Luke tells us his purpose in writing his gospel in Luke 1:1-4 READ.

He wants to convince us that this is a carefully investigated account - including eyewitnesses - so that we can know with certainty, the things that have been fulfilled.

Luke's gospel is about the coming of the Kingdom of God. It’s about the fulfilment of the Promises of God.

When we start reading in the bible about the kingdom of God, we're on the back foot.

We live in an era of democracy - government of the people for the people.

One of the reasons we love democracy is that it gives us a painless way of getting rid of leaders without a civil war.

If we don’t like the one set of leaders, we can exchange them for another set!

Democracy is great because we can get rid of leaders without having to shoot them or getting shot ourselves! A bloodless coup!

In our age of personally autonomy we don't want to live under a King.

We prefer small, limited and accountable government. For we all know that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

We want the government to run lean, and have as little as possible influence and interference in our lives.

So, the idea of a kingdom is foreign to most of us.

If you live in a republic, a kingdom is not what you want. For a kingdom means a king.

And a king is demanding and authoritative - and might put limits on our personal freedoms - and I won't stand for that!

The part of Luke we are looking at this term (9-12) which is all about following Jesus - is in fact the part that calls us to be subjects of the King.

The centrepiece of Luke 9-11 is Luke 9:23.

Luke 9:23 NIV

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

The challenge is to say 'no' to ourselves - no to self-government.

No to the world and it's pressures, values and priorities.

These chapters are a description of what true Christian discipleship looks like.

They’re uncomfortable. They’re radical. These chapters will - if taken seriously, disrupt our lives.

And yet, following Jesus is the most wonderful cause to live for - and if necessary - to die for.

Let’s look at the timing of the Kingdom: We are in . . .

Injury time 9:51-56

Can you remember the quarter final game between France and SA Rugby world cup 2023?

The score is a nail biting France 28 - 29 South Africa.

At 80 minutes - the clock turns red and France have possession of the ball, and are poised to run for it.

They lose the ball forward, and Cheslin Colby kicks it out, ending the game and securing a Springbok win - by 1 point!

In the story of the Kingdom of God - we are in injury time.

Up to this point in Luke’s gospel, Jesus has been in Galilee.

Chapter 9:51 is a key turning point in the ministry of Jesus.

He resolutely sets his face towards Jerusalem. There’s no turning back. He is on the road to his death.

It’s time for the cross 9:51. It is time for salvation. It’s injury time.

In 9:54 The overzealous disciples see that Jesus is rejected by the Samaritans who did not welcome him, and James and John offer to call down fire from Heaven to destroy them!

It’s not the best evangelistic strategy! But 10/10 for their enthusiasm!

In v55 Jesus rebukes them. It’s not the time for judgement. It’s the day of salvation. It is the day of peace.

3 things about following Jesus:

Lets count the cost

Luke 9:57-62

As we begin our journey on the road with Jesus, lets count the cost:

We are introduced to three potential followers of Jesus:

In v57 ‘I will follow you wherever you go’

In v59 Jesus calls one to follow him

And in v61 another said ‘I will follow Lord . . . ’

Look at how Jesus handles these three interactions:

Jesus before comfort v57-58

In the first case Jesus says - v58 READ.

Here is the over enthusiastic disciple: Unconsidered discipleship. He hasn’t read the T’s and C’s.

At face value it sounds like absolute devotion: I will follow you wherever you go.

I will follow Jesus whatever he asks of me. Do you understand what it is you’re saying?

The king of kings has nowhere to lay his head. The Son of Man has nothing - no human rights, no comforts, no luxuries.

Do you really want to follow Jesus?

Do we understand, and will we accept that following Jesus is not always the comfortable option? In a culture increasingly hostile . . .

We need to be careful how we apply this:

This is not meant to send us on a guilt trip.

We’ve just studied Ecclesiastes - where we were told to receive good gifts from God and enjoy them.

But there is a warning we all need to hear;

There is a danger that we lose sight of the cost of following Jesus.

Will you follow Jesus anywhere?

Will you give up that relationship because it dishonours Jesus?

Will you give up that ambition or plan because is comes before Jesus?

Will you set aside that hobby or activity that distracts you from Jesus?

Will you stand against that expectation on you because it takes you away from following Jesus?

He may ask you to leave your chosen career and follow him wherever he will go - ask Sam.

Jesus before family v59-60

This is unique to Luke READ 59-60

These must rate some of the most uncomfortable words in the bible:

Isn’t this cult-like?

It sounds like a cult!

Is he calling on us to reject family and family responsibility!

That is what cults seek to do - to separate people out from their families.

We stay away from people like that!

What Jesus is doing is using hyperbole (an exaggerated form of speech), to say:

If you follow Jesus your life is defined by an overarching priority that is greater than all other priorities.

We’re in overtime.

Even in one of the most pressing adult responsibilities - burying our parents, there needs to be a sense that there is something bigger - more important.

Over everything is a commitment to the proclamation of the gospel.

No looking back - v61-62

v62: Here is a warning: not to look back.

There is a long history in the bible of looking back: From Lot’s wife - to the Israelites in the desert - and the warnings in Hebrews 11:10 - looking forward to the New Jerusalem.

It’s a tremendous temptation to look back. and so the call to discipleship is a call to follow Jesus - with no regrets! Setting our eyes forward towards the task that lies before us.

Count the cost.

Lets do the work

Luke 10:1-7

We are being conscripted into the Kingdom - but what is the work of the Kingdom of God?

Ask earnestly: v2

It's urgent: - 'earnestly' [lit. 'beg'].

We only pray about what we think is important. The more important we think it is, the more urgently we pray.

I wonder when last were we urgent about those who don't know Jesus?

Verse 2 tells us, there is an urgent need in our world.

There is a harvest that is waiting to be reaped. And the Great God who made the heavens and the earth - the God who effortlessly spoke everything into existence God, the God who commands angel armies, whose will is unopposed, whose power is unlimited - relies on human labourers - to gather others in to his kingdom.

Let’s pray for workers.

All gospel fruitfulness is dependant upon the Lord who owns the harvest. Gospel work requires prayer.

God is in charge. There is going to be a bumper crop. So lets pray.

Start today - praying for a name.

Go trustingly: v3

Increasingly our message is seen as irrelevant, ridiculous and offensive. We are lambs amongst wolves.

It's a message that is vilified and rejected, and therefore those that carry the message are rejected and vilified.

I wonder if we realise how offensive it is to say Jesus is Lord - in a culture so committed to personal autonomy?

The news of another Kingdom - and another's rule - will be rejected - and those that bear that message stand to be rejected too - do we want to follow Jesus?

The followers of Jesus are lambs amongst wolves.

Telling others about Jesus - announcing the Kingdom of God is as unnatural to us as it is for a lamb to hang out with wolves.

Being a true follower of Jesus is not comfortable. If it is comfort you are after - you've come to the wrong place.

I don’t think this means all of us are called to preach - but our priorities need to be clear. We all have a role to play in the process of Gospel Proclamation.

Say confidently: v4-5

And - unlike any other kingdom in the history of the world, God's kingdom is not established by war - but by a declaration of Peace [v5].

The first word of the gospel is peace. Isn't the word peace what our world needs?

Peace is the total well-being, prosperity, and security of God's people because God is with his people.

God's strategy for conquering the world it not military action. It’s not conversions at the end of the sword.

It is the proclamation of a message of PEACE.

The KOG shouldn't be a message of peace - for we are rebels against the King. It is sure and certain judgment - yet he comes with a message of peace - for it is overtime - the time of salvation.

In v4 Jesus issues a strange instruction: Don't wear shoes!

It is a hark back to the OT.

Barefoot discipleship - Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

7 How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

In the days before instant communications and Nike, news would spread by barefoot runners - who would run great distances to get the news back to various places. And often they would arrive with feet that were filthy, bloody and bruised.

But if those filthy feet brought news of Peace - instead of war - they were beautiful feet.

It is the time of the gospel of peace.

It is good news and the KOG is established by declaring that because of the death of Jesus, there can now be peace between man and God.

V8 - Welcome and hospitality is a sign of peace.

v9 - cluster of healings - all signs of peace and what it would like to live in the KOG.

Lets anticipate the response

Luke 10:10-24

People accept or reject 10:8-16

v8 - the message of peace may be receive a warm welcome.

But - the wonderful message of peace may also be rejected: Luke 10:10-16 READ.

Even though the world needs the gospel of peace, it doesn't always recognise that.

These verses are a reminder to us that the natural state of the human heart is one of rebellion and rejection of the King who comes declaring peace.

But the rejection of the gospel leads to judgement. Although it is the day of peace and not the day judgement - the day of judgement does lie ahead.

V16 is striking: rejection of the gospel preached is rejection of Jesus, which is rejection of God.

Judgement is a fact. It is not fiction. It's really going to happen. The gospel is the announcement of peace for those who accept the new King.

The fact that you reject it doesn't change the reality. Jesus is coming to reign. he comes with a loving offer of amnesty - don't reject it, because then he will come in judgement.

V13 shows us villages that had heard and seen Jesus' miracles had rejected visible kingdom.

The message of peace is good news. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to make peace - by dying for our sins to be forgiven.

The devil falls 10:17-20

Satan’s kingdom is dismantled as Jesus’ Kingdom is proclaimed. As it is proclaimed, people put their trust in the message, and Satan’s kingdom shrinks.

Almost every time Jesus preached, he had to deal with a demon.

This is how God has chosen to spread the KOG - by the proclamation of Peace.

We all have a role to play. Our priority should be that the gospel of peace is preached. What is your part in that? You can pray, you can invite, or can live you life in such a way that it leads to questions about your lifestyle choices.

We’re in overtime. We are in the day of Peace. Judgement is coming.

Conclusion

The gospel and you:

Luke 10:20 NIV

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Do you know that?