Luke 9:1-36
Notes
Transcript
Show the Luke Bible Project Video
There are five different scenes that we are going to look at this morning. Rather then read all five accounts up front we are going to them one at a time and I’ll make a few comments on each.
Jesus Sends out the Twelve - 9:1-9
Jesus Sends out the Twelve - 9:1-9
Read the text
Luke 9:1-9
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. 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. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. 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.
Pray
Retell the story:
Jesus sends out his disciples to do the same ministry he has been doing.
Introduce anxiety: Let’s focus in on beginning of this story for a second.
Notice, Jesus says “Go do ministry without Jesus and without the stuff you might normally pack... and be ready for people not to welcome you.”
Instead of a packing list we have a "do not pack" list
Reminds us of our worst nightmare... naked on the first day of school
Illustration: Like when Gandalf dies in Lord of the Rings, "Can we go on?"
illustration: Like when Obi-Wan Kenobi
We don’t know if the disciples were freaking out, but this probably felt like a stretch.
Resolution: The disciples obey and it works out in a spectacular way.
Pattern: Jesus is preparing his disciples for a future reality. This is what a good teacher does. He prepares his followers for what is coming next.
Question: What is Jesus -- your teacher -- preparing you for right now?
Application: The Experiencing God Outline
God is at work around you,
God pursues a love relationship with you,
God invites you to join him,
God speaks to you,
You are brought to a crisis of belief,
You must adjust your life,
You experience God.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - 9:10-17
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - 9:10-17
Read the text
10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Retell the Story:
The Apostels have this amazing (and exhausting season of ministry).
Jesus plans to take the Apostles out to a restful place
But the crowds pursue Jesus with their needs and Jesus welcomed them.
The need for food and lodging arises.
Jesus uses this to teach the Apostles a lesson… He feeds the 5000 from two loaves of bread and the five fish.
Anxiety: daily needs are in conflict with the work of God. The frail human condition is bumping up against Jesus meeting the great spiritual needs of these people.
People need to eat and people need the messiah and his message. The disciples think that the work of God has to temporarily be put on pause so that these physical needs can be met.
This is an age old conflict between what we need and what is better.
Amplified and Personalized: We know God is at work around us, ministry is happening... But the daily need tempts us to shut it down and figure out that immediate need. I know of so many people who would be doing God's work if the pressing need were just cleared up.
It reminds me of Baltimore City: we have rising crime rates and the need to police the city, but we all want to invest in the future, bring in better education, bring in positive resources. The pressing need is to address the criminal element. But what we really want is a healthy community.
Resolution: The Jesus miracle
God allows these conflicts... this tension between needs, because it brings us back to the one who can resolve the conflict. I mean just look at this incredible miracle. Jesus takes a small resource and meets the need and beyond.
We have needs in our life: shelter, clothing, food, relationships. Money is the means through which we get those things. The need and the money can drown out God altogether. He put that need there so that we would depend upon him. Ironically, here in Fells Point we are surrounded by people who have no time for God because they are trying to meet the need independent of him. And God permits this. People even find their identity in their ability to meet their needs. "I'm good at making money."
The people of God all throughout the Bible are a people who are being nourished by God along the way. This whole story should have reminded the Jewish participant of how God provided for the Children of Israel in the wilderness. They should have been saying "Oh yah, God takes care of his people."
The disciples are saying “Send them away”. Jesus is saying “come to me”.
Illustration: Every week we are feeding 20-25 families with food donated by Trader Joe’s. We create a list so we can make sure everyone is getting a share.
Application: Stop divorcing your presents needs from God. Rather look at your needs as God's knock upon your heart: "let me in."
Who do People Say That I am - 9:18-22
Who do People Say That I am - 9:18-22
Read the text
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.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Luke 9:
Retell the story:
Once again Luke shows us Jesus in private prayer. He does this more then any other gospel writer.
Jesus asks them who two questions: First, “Who do the crowds say I am?”, Second, “Who do you say I am?”
Peter responds by saying “The Messiah of God”.
Jesus goes on to tell his Apostles that he is is going to be rejected, suffer, killed and rise on the third day.
Anxiety: Belief in Jesus beyond the general consensus (The disciples believed Jesus was more then just Elijah, John the Baptist or a prophet.)
Anxiety: Jesus is the Messiah who will be rejected, suffer, be killed and rise from the dead
This is the minority report.
The conflict is two fold: first, the disciples are holding an extreme position that will lay hold of them. Second, Jesus lays out the plan and it includes rejection, suffering and death.
This reminds me of the early scenes of the movie Deep Impact. Leo Bieterman discovers a comet heading for earth. Scientist realize the planet is doomed and they keep it secret for a little while. The general population doesn't know it yet and it is being kept a secret.
Personalized: Once you become a Jesus follower there is a contrast between your view of life and everyone else. You know a fact as significant as this idea that a comet is going to hit earth.
Going further: Not only do the disciples believe that Jesus is the Messiah (the greatest anticipation of Israel), but they find out that this Messiah is going to be rejected, suffer, die and rise from the dead. We know from other accounts that Peter rejects this revealed plan: “Lord don't let it be.”
Belief in Jesus as the Messiah… the Christ… This is the jump-out-of-the-plane moment for the skydivers. You are in the plane one moment like every other normal human who rides a plan and the next moment you are hurling through the air with a backpack on with a parachute that hopefully works.
Resolution: Believe the very declaration: You are the Messiah.
Do you believe that? Do you know what that means? The whole Old Testament has anticipated this individual. Are you going to grab a hold of those statements and trust God? Or are you going to play it safe, hang back with the crowd, give Jesus a degree of respect, hedge your bets... You can't believe that Jesus is the Messiah and remain a member of the crowd.
The Call to Be Disciples - 9:23-27
The Call to Be Disciples - 9:23-27
read the text
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Summary:
We will see this material again in chapter 14.
Paradoxical nature of Jesus teaching
You want to live, you must die
You wan to be first, you must be last
You want to be exalted you must humble yourself
You want to be rich you must be poor
Anxiety: You must lose your life if you want to be my follower.
Have you ever considered a hobby from afar and then realized the cost was too high? Sticker-shock
Hobby Example: Aviation = To start with, you’ll need to go to aviation school which can cost more than $5,000 and a good plane will cost you about $100,000. Renting a plane is a cheaper option for about $80 per hour but even this rental price can be pricey if you fly on a regular basis.
Example: I was committed to going to a friends wedding... even told him "I'll be there." Then I looked up the tickets. Not only was it expensive, but I wouldn't be able to get home in time for church Sunday.
Jesus is asking for the disciples lives. Is there anything more costly? I know of no higher call then a call for the whole life. This isn't just the call that Jesus is giving to people who will be pastors. This isn't just for the people who want a lot of rewards in heaven. No, this is the baseline. This is Jesus universal call to anyone who wants to be his follower.
Illustration: What about a 30 day money back guarantee? Nope. What about a 7 day trial period? Nope. What about a 48 hour buyers remorse policy? Nope. What about a taste test before I buy the whole cone? Nope.
Question: What if I want to be a follower of Jesus but I'm not ready to give up my life? Answer: you will find yourself more miserable then people who don't follow Jesus and less fruitful then who who do follow Jesus.
Resolution: We only make these types of decisions when there is a trustworthy second-party. Yes, there is risk involved. You will lose your life. But Jesus also says that you will gain life.
Illustration: Jesus is moving you from being a fan on his Facebook page to being a wholly devoted follower. He is asking you for total surrender of who you are.
Illustration: Imagine a King conquering a city… you are that city. When the foreign king comes into your city through the penetrated walls he knocks on the door of your castle and asks for your full surrender.
Jesus isn't asking of his disciples anything beyond what he has modeled. He just finished saying that the son of man must be rejected, suffer, and die. And the resurrection is promised. If we are are followers of a resurrected Lord then we don't need to fear the costs. The cost is great. But the victory over death should seal the deal for us. We don't turn a blind eye to the cost, but we can trust the one we are following because he has overcome the world.
The Transfiguration - 9:28-36
The Transfiguration - 9:28-36
Read the text
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Anxiety: Jesus' appearance is altered, two long-gone prophets appear with him, and a voice speaks from heaven bearing him witness.
Anxiety: Jesus' appearance is altered, two long-gone prophets appear with him, and a voice speaks from heaven bearing him witness.
Sometimes the experience is the conflict. Sometimes people will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is from God and they are left wondering "What should I do with that?"
To use a pop-culture reference it is our Double Rainbow moment: “What does it mean!?!?”
I have people come to me and say "Pastor, I had this dream." Or "Pastor, I think I met an angel."
Example: When I was a kid my dad God a call from a man who thought the top of his Christmas tree formed the shape of a cross.
People want to do with these experiences what Peter did = superstition commemoration.
Resolution: If the experience is from God let the experience glorify Jesus. Listen for Jesus all that much more closely. Follow him all that much more diligently.
Resolution: This glorified Jesus has already been with them for months. It shouldn't have taken this supernatural experience for his words to be punctuated in their hearts. 9 other Apostles didn't have this experience, but the same obedience was expected of them.
If you have a supernatural experience authored by God it should be considered a generous gift from heaven that only makes Jesus bigger in our hearts and minds.
And take warning from the fact that Peter goes on to deny the Lord at the crucifixion and get things wrong when it comes to legalism. It just goes to show that these supernatural experiences don't hinge on our good behavior and don't necessarily improve our behavior.
Conclusion:
The movement of these stories is towards an intensifying love and trust in Jesus. There is a magnetic pull that is coming from all five accounts. Each account throws a grappling hook into our will and pulls us towards Jesus as King.
Actions:
These 36 verses should prompt us to have a conversation with God along the lines of “God, I surrender. I am willing to trust you. Teach me what it means for me to follow you in my life. Forgive me for holding back. Forgive me for trying to preserve and protect my life instead of surrendering to you.”
Trust and faith in God (the underlying currency of these fives stories) is fed by our Bible reading. says that faith develops and grows in us by hearing the Word of God. For thousands of years Jesus followers have incorporated the discipline of Bible reading into the daily schedule. That means you put into your schedule a block of time — 10 minutes, 30 minutes — where you read a passage from scripture.