Luke 9:46-50
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 23 viewsNotes
Transcript
Observations:
Observations:
v. 46, We are not told how much time passes before the disciples begin arguing among themselves regarding who was the greatest.
Note, this arguing of status is a key focus over the next four verses.
vv. 47-48, Jesus, knowing their hearts, pulled a child to Him and taught His disciples that the great ones are those who receives the least among the people, as they receive Christ who came for the least. To receive Christ is to then receive the one who sent Christ, the Father
Status and position were of supreme importance in first-century culture. Each member of family and society knew his or her position in this hierarchy. Though children were certainly loved and cared for by their parents, they had essentially no social status
People of position and status were “welcomed,” that is, treated with honor and respect as social equals or superiors. Here Jesus, the disciple’s honored master and teacher, shockingly places a child on the same social status as Himself.
Receiving the least vs. being the least ?
In the first, Jesus points out that true greatness is found in a humble heart of servanthood and love for others, which welcomes the most vulnerable members of society. Welcoming (or honoring) the weak and vulnerable is the same as welcoming Jesus, since they are special recipients of his grace. Welcoming Jesus, in turn, is the same as welcoming the Father, since Jesus is the Father’s Son and representative (cf. 9:35). Jesus sums up by noting that “he who is least among you all … is the greatest” (9:48). “Least” here means not social inferiority, but those willing to take a lower place in order to lift up and encourage others.
v. 49, Next we are told that John and the disciples attempted to prevent a person not following among the disciples who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus
Clearly, the previous immediate instructions of Jesus completely fell upon deaf ears, as when Jesus negates the matter of socio-status, the disciples engaged in boundary-making on the basis of conventional notions of perceived honor. This man did not belong to the community around Jesus, so his behavior was disallowed.
The failure of the disciples is represented at its most basic level in this: Jesus had implored the disciples to honor those of no status at all, but they have refused partnership with one who did not share the status they assumed for themselves
Note, people were successfully casting out demons in Jesus’ name. People were figuring out that there is power in the very name of the Christ!
The instruction to submit petitions in the name of Jesus are not really introduced to us in Scripture until the Last Supper, notably emphasized in John’s Gospel (Luke doesn’t seem to mention this asking in Jesus’ name).
v. 50, Jesus instructs him, along with the disciples, not to hinder a person who is not against their mission. Such a person is for them.
The statement is proverbial, and we would expect it to be a general rather than an absolute truth; in fact, Jesus cites the inverse statement in 11:23: “He who is not with me is against me.”
Exegetical Idea/Big Idea:
After a sharp rebuke by Jesus stemming from a lack of faithfulness from His, disciples, His disciples show their density once more by arguing over status among the twelve.
To deflate the egoism infecting His disciples, Jesus brings a child to Him and declares that the greatest one is the humblest one (Phil 2:5-8); to receive the least is to receive Christ and to receive Christ is to receive the Father.
The disciples once again miss the point Jesus is teaching, as they attempt to stop a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus because he did not share the same “status” as the disciples assumed for themselves. Jesus instructs them to leave him be, as such a person is for the mission of Christ.
Big Idea:
Fresh after a rebuke connected to their faithlessness, the disciples are blinded by their arrogance. Jesus cites humility and unity essential of being His disciple.
Homiletical Idea
Homiletical Idea
As Christians we must not let our status as leaders in the Church fog our visions of ourselves. We are to keep in mind the expectation of the Christian, in that they have the attitude of Christ (Phil 2:5-8) and thereby walk in a manner worthy of the calling by which we have been called, preserving the unity in the body, the unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:1-6).
Liturgical Idea
What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)
What should we confess to God? (Repent)
What should we ask God for? (Request)
What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)
What should we live out for God? (Service)
Intro:
Intro:
Recap:
Luke 9:37-45, After the Transfiguration, the inability and ignorance of the disciples are exposed, notably after receiving the power and authority of their Master to exorcise demons and to heal diseases (Lk 9:1).
The supremacy of the Messiah, God’s Chosen One, is contrasted with the inefficiency of the Messiah’s chosen twelve.
His concluding words to the twelve are on the Passion, which points to a time where their ignorance and inability will be covered by His grace and remedied by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Prayer
Read Luke 9:46-50
Head- What does it mean?
Head- What does it mean?
(15-20 min.)
vv. 46-56, The Inability and Ignorance of Jesus’ Disciples Pt. 2
vv. 46-56, The Inability and Ignorance of Jesus’ Disciples Pt. 2
v. 46,
v. 46, We are not told how much time passes before the disciples begin arguing among themselves regarding who was the greatest.
Note, this arguing of status is a key focus over the next four verses.
Summarize:
After a sharp rebuke by Jesus stemming from a lack of faithfulness from His, disciples, His disciples show their density once more by arguing over status among the twelve.
vv. 47-48,
vv. 47-48, Jesus, knowing their hearts, pulled a child to Him and taught His disciples that the great ones are those who receives the least among the people, as they receive Christ who came for the least. To receive Christ is to then receive the one who sent Christ, the Father
Status and position were of supreme importance in first-century culture. Each member of family and society knew his or her position in this hierarchy. Though children were certainly loved and cared for by their parents, they had essentially no social status
People of position and status were “welcomed,” that is, treated with honor and respect as social equals or superiors. Here Jesus, the disciple’s honored master and teacher, shockingly places a child on the same social status as Himself.
Summarize:
To deflate the egoism infecting His disciples, Jesus brings a child to Him and declares that the greatest one is the humblest one (Phil 2:5-8); to receive the least is to receive Christ and to receive Christ is to receive the Father.
vv. 49-50,
v. 49, Next we are told that John and the disciples attempted to prevent a person not following among the disciples who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus
Clearly, the previous immediate instructions of Jesus completely fell upon deaf ears, as when Jesus negates the matter of socio-status, the disciples engaged in boundary-making on the basis of conventional notions of perceived honor. This man did not belong to the community around Jesus, so his behavior was disallowed.
The failure of the disciples is represented at its most basic level in this: Jesus had implored the disciples to honor those of no status at all, but they have refused partnership with one who did not share the status they assumed for themselves
Note, people were successfully casting out demons in Jesus’ name. People were figuring out that there is power in the very name of the Christ!
The instruction to submit petitions in the name of Jesus are not really introduced to us in Scripture until the Last Supper, notably emphasized in John’s Gospel (Luke doesn’t seem to mention this asking in Jesus’ name).
v. 50, Jesus instructs him, along with the disciples, not to hinder a person who is not against their mission. Such a person is for them.
The statement is proverbial, and we would expect it to be a general rather than an absolute truth; in fact, Jesus cites the inverse statement in 11:23: “He who is not with me is against me.”
Summarize:
The disciples once again miss the point Jesus is teaching, as they attempt to stop a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus because he did not share the same “status” as the disciples assumed for themselves. Jesus instructs them to leave him be, as such a person is for the mission of Christ.
Big Idea:
Fresh after a rebuke connected to their faithlessness, the disciples are blinded by their arrogance. Jesus cites humility and unity essential of being His disciple.
Heart- Do I buy it?
Heart- Do I buy it?
(15-20 min)
Open the discussion for any questions.
(Let group answer these questions)
What verses stood out to you and why?
What personal reflections did this reading trigger?
What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)
What should we confess to God? (Repent)
What should we ask God for? (Request)
What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)
What should we live out for God? (Service)
As Christians we must not let our status as leaders in the Church fog our visions of ourselves. We are to keep in mind the expectation of the Christian, in that they have the attitude of Christ (Phil 2:5-8) and thereby walk in a manner worthy of the calling by which we have been called, preserving the unity in the body, the unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:1-6).
Hands- So What? How then should I live?
Hands- So What? How then should I live?
(10-15 min)
Walk with God: What does this look like personally in your walk with God?
Keep Christ first: What does this look like personally when we keep Christ first?
Keep sin out of your life: What does this look like personally when you are keeping sin out of your life?
Personally,
It looks like confession, repentance, perseverance of peace