Luke 9

Introduction

Most things we learn in life go like this: get a little bit of information/instruction, try, learn. Repeat.

When it comes to following Jesus though, my experience with people is that we seem to want more before moving forward.

More of something that will convince me I will be successful.

More knowledge

More plans

1-6: OTJ

Education model: classroom. Can you learn to pass the test?

How do we learn how to live? Hesitant to try.

No one learns how to follow Jesus in a class room.

An apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading)

Apprentices

APOSTLES - The 12. Their first assignment

They were assigned things that he had been doing - concern with people's bodies as well as their souls.

Unclean spirits

Cure diseases

Adequately Equipped for this training mission - Their license

Given the authority and power to do what he told them to do.

And a prelude to Luke 10 - sending out of 72 others (disciples).

For them to carry on his work after he was gone, would need to practice.

Instructions

Don't make special preparations for the trip. No staff (to fight off wild animals), no food, no money.

Just go.

Instructions here are applicable to the context.

At the time, there were some preachers who made a good living by appealing to the public (carried beggar's bags). You have one job.

Later he told them to take a bag, money, sword.

How would they be provided for?

Find one home in each city and stay there.

Luke 10 - A person of peace. No other home. There were acceptable limits for a stranger/guest length of stay. Don't stay longer than that.

Not welcome: shake dust

Jews did this when returning from Gentile countries. Their dust made them dirty.

Symbol that Israelites who rejected Jesus’ kingdom were no better than they perceived the Gentiles

And they preached the good news and healed everywhere.

This is what apprentices do. This is how they get to know the Father's business.

This is how they become Jesus' friends.

Short Memories

Jesus gave them what they needed to do what he told them before.

They trusted that then.

This time was different.

Interrupted Retreat/Debrief - Luke 9:10-17

Crowds followed. 5k men plus women and children.

Not bothered. Welcomed them, spoke the KOG and healed - all the things he and the apostles had been doing.

Lasted all day.

Hungry, tired.

Retreat over. Send people to homes, hotels, get food.

Jesus: You give them what they need

You’ve been doing it…do what you’ve learned and been doing.

BUT JESUS...

Barley loaves - food of the poor

Can’t buy food, closest market is too far away and they didn’t have enough money.

Serving Dinner

Traditional Jewish prayer

Bread was broken

Full meal for all with leftovers

The Turning Point

18-20 Peter acknowledges who Jesus is - the Christ of God.

Here’s what that means: My purpose

Suffering

Death

Resurrection

And here’s yours: take up your cross every day.

They knew what it meant.

When a man picked up his cross it was a one way trip. No going back.

It is the ultimate act of self-denial.

Followers, disciples, apprentices of Jesus don’t learn from him how to be successful in life; taking what we can to get and be the best. That’s a losing proposition.

Followers of Jesus learn from him how to die to an entire way of life in order to receive his and it must be done every day.

We are given life not for ourselves but to spend it for others.

Life isn't measured by accomplishments, good things we get or do. It's no good to have it all but lose ourselves. Nothing can compensate for that.

Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.

An Example - Luke 9:57-61

I will follow you!

Are you ready for being homeless? Probably not.

Follow me! Going to stay home until my dad dies.

Proper burial was very important to the Jews. To leave the father unburied was scandalous. Duty of burial took precedence over the study of the law, temple service, etc. Demands of the kingdom are more urgent still.

Let the dead bury their own dead. You are to proclaim the kingdom of God. Let those without spiritual insight perform the duties they can do well. Burial is very much in keeping for the spiritually dead. This man who has seen the vision must not delay his calling.

Follow me! Hesitation

Saying goodbye to family like Elisha did when he followed Elijah.

Following Jesus means more.

Don’t look back when you are called to go forward.