Understanding the mission of Jesus Christ.
Basic break down starting at verse 27
27-45 seem to mainly convey the Magesty of God
45-50 show the mistakes of the desciples
51-62 Lead up to the crucifixtion on the cross.
57- 62 the cost of descipleship
Luke 9:27-30 NKJV
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Wait a minute... Moses? Remember that he was not allowed to enter into the promise land because he chose to hit the rock instead of simply speak to it? We see here that he is still however under the grace of God despite the old covenant of sin and death. We see that even though they lived in a time when animal sacrifice was required for blood covering to gain forgiveness, that Christ’s blood also covered over Moses. And it is good to see him and Elijah as entered into the place of rest.
Luke 9:31-32 NKJV
who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
Here these are the same three that were supposed to take watch and stay awake while Christ pressed through in prayer. Then they wake up (perhaps with boogers in their eyes and groggy as most when they awake. Lol) but they wake up to see this transfiguration before them. What a thing to wake up to as you master speaks to two that were thought to be dead about his very own future death.
Luke 9:33 NKJV
Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Here peter is just waking up and he kinda doesnt think about what he is sayin here. Think about it… God is already tabernacling with him in the human form of Jesus. Jesus is the temple of the Lord’s tabernacling with man already. Besides, what place was it of Peter’s to suggest this to the Lord? We can really get stupid when we are tired. A good reminder to stay awake spiritually and not be found groggy or unfruitful.
Luke 9:34-36 NKJV
While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
So here we see the glory of God made known both above and below. Reminescent of the cloud and the pillar of fire as the Lord chose to tabernacle with man in Exodus.
Luke 9:37-39 NKJV
Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.
Matthew 17 and mark 9 record this same event. But they give a bit more detail as to why the desciples could not cast out the demon. But Luke doesn’t record near as much information because he is not focused on the disciple’s abilities or inabilities or how to cast out demons (as the other two accounts mention), but rather he is focused on showing God's glory. The focus isn’t on the disciples here but on our Savior.
Luke 9:40-41 NKJV
So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
Duet 32:5 5 They are corrupt and not his children;
to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation.
Have you ever done something that was twisted/ bent because you dont trust in God? Think about the reason behind the actions in your life and what fruit or lack there of comes as a result of those actions. When you don’t trust in the Lord with all your heart, it shows. Your actions portray where your trust is.
Luke 9:42-43 NKJV
And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.
But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples,
We want to see and experience Gods glory not only on the mountain top but when someone is broken, when someone comes to salvation for the first time, when we are in the valley. Let Gods glory be known in every circumstance. Even here when a boy is demon possessed and convulsing, we are able to see the opportunity for God’s glory to be known. He is not only glorified in the good times, but also in the times of saving from bad.
Luke 9:43-45 NKJV
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.
But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
They didnt understand because it was hidden from them...Why do you think the Lord hid the meaning of this from them?
They are going to recall all of these words after his death and resurrection. But for now they are afraid to ask for the meaning. Don’t ever be afraid to ask Jesus a question. He wants you to grow and he wants to teach you.
Now here comes an amazing mistake. The pride of who is closer to God...
Luke 9:46 NKJV
Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.
Can u imagine...one person holds the money thinking it’s because they are the greatest while perhaps another says, “I’m his beloved and thus I must be the greatest”, and another says, “well he revealed something directly to me and therefore I must be the greatest”.... Dont be this carnal. Dont make this fleshly mistake of comparing to other Christians or non Christians for the sake of pride. You are no closer to Jesus for your own effort or merit than the day He saved you by His blood via HIS MERIT.
Luke 9:47-48 NKJV
And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
You wanna be great? Recieve this little child. Get down on his/her level and instruct them and care for them and be patient with them. You wanna be great? Do the tasks that noone else wants to do. Don’t be the proud CEO, be the least. The one with no recognition. The one that noone notices. The one that is last. This is true greatness. Spend time showing some love to the kiddos. This is greatness.
Luke 9:49 NKJV
Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
The mistake here is "exclusive ministry". Again trying to be the greatest due to pride and missing the heart of God entirely. We want to instead rejoice that someone is being used for the glory of God. Think about moses replying that all should be prophesying for God. Think of Jonathan rightful heir to the throne spending his life trying to help David. Paul in prison while others start ministries from his letters. So many more examples of the greatest place being the smallest or unseen or humblest places. No exclusive ministries are displayed in the characteristics of those that were our examples in the Word. For the Lord does not will that any should perish but that all would be saved and let me tell ya, the workers are far too few my friends… we need more workers for the harvest.
Luke 9:50-52 NKJV
But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.” Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
Lord help me turn my face looking unto you. We want to set our face toward Him with determination till we get to Heaven just as He set his face to the cross determined to do what must be done to get there, knowing even the road it would take. May we be so willing to do what we have been called to do.
Luke 9:53-54 NKJV
But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
James and john are struggling in their understanding a bit because of what they have recently seen. Understandable but needing correction none the less.
Luke 9:55-56 NKJV
But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. ” And they went to another village.
We want to be the same mercy that Jesus showed us. That is our greatest witness (with love of course). There are many like James and John that have passion but lack the understanding of how to properly reflect Christ in this world. Many times, sadly, these are the people that are involved in violent religious crimes.
57-62 The mandates for discipleship
Luke 9:57-58 NKJV
Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
JESUS doesn’t just want us to be blind here. He wants us to count the cost; to be aware of it. We have the ability to know the cost. It is the cost of our entire life that we may follow after our Savior.
Luke 9:59 NKJV
Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Think about it. Why is the man on the road if it is urgent to bury the dead. This is just and excuse. His father is likely not yet dead. There is no urgency in this action. It is simply the excuse not to full heartedly follow after God. Is this you? Are you putting off giving God your all? Romans 13 explains the importance of not being a Christian that’s entirely asleep and haveing no impact.. God’s saying wake up. There needs to be a since of urgency in serving and seeking after the Lord today. Dont make up excuses saying one day this or that after this or that happens. Do it now. Nothing is more important. KNOW THIS!
Luke 9:60-62 NKJV
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Why would you want to follow God just to look bakcwards on what was? Remember the story of looking back turning to salt. Remember Israel kept looking back and getting destroyed as they lived for themselves. Dont look back. Don’t be stuck in the past. What does God have for you right now? What does he want to do through you tomorrow? Will you miss it because you are living in some bad experience that should have been left behind?
Hardships - be willing to endure them.
Selfish ambition, get rid of it.
Follow Him now... not tomorrow- understand the sense of urgency.
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