Luke 9

9:1-10Note Jesus’ methods of leadership. He empowered his disciples (9:1), gave them specific instructions so they knew what to do (9:3, 4), told them how to deal with tough times (9:5), and held them accountable (9:10). As you lead others, study the Master Leader’s pattern. Which of these elements do you need to incorporate into your leadership?

9:2Jesus announced his Kingdom by both preaching and heating, and he sent his disciples out to do the same. If he had limited himself to preaching, people might have seen his Kingdom as spiritual only. If he had healed without preaching, people might not have realized the spiritual importance of his mission. Most of his listeners expected a Messiah who would bring wealth and power to their nation; they preferred material benefits to spiritual discernment. The truth about Jesus is that he is both God and man, both spiritual and physical; and the salvation that he offers is both for the soul and the body. Any group or teaching that emphasizes soul at the expense of body, or body at the expense of soul, is in danger of distorting Jesus’ Good News.

9:3,4Why were the disciples instructed to depend on others while they went from town to town preaching the Good News? deceived rabble-rouser. None of these explanations can account for Jesus’ miracles or especially his glorious resurrection. in the end, the attempts to explain away Jesus are far more difficult to believe than the truth.

9:9For the story of why Herod had John beheaded, see Mark 6:14-29,

9:10,11Jesus had tried to slip quietly away from the crowds, but they found out where he was going and followed him. Instead of showing impatience at this interruption, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs. How do you see people who interrupt your schedule—as nuisances or as the reason for your life and ministry?

9:11The Kingdom of God was a focal point of Jesus’ teaching. He explained that it was not just a future Kingdom; it was among them, embodied in him, the Messiah. Even though the Kingdom will not be complete until Jesus comes again in glory, we do not have to wait to experience it. The Kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus (17:21). It is as present with us today as it was with the Judeans over 2,000 years ago.

9:13,14When the disciples expressed concern about where the crowd of thousands would eat, Jesus offered a surprising solution: “You feed them.” The disciples protested, focusing their attention on what they didn’t have (food and money). Do you think God would ask you to do something that you and he together couldn't handle? Don’t let your lack of resources blind you to God’s power.

9:16,17Why did Jesus bother to feed these people? He could just as easily have sent them on their way, but Jesus does not ignore needs. He is concerned with every aspect of life—the physical as well as the spiritual. As we work to bring wholeness to people’s lives, we must never ignore the fact that all of us have both physical and spiritual needs.!t is impossible to minister effectively to one type of need without considering the other.

9:18-20The Christian faith goes beyond knowing what others believe. It requires us to hold beliefs for ourselves. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” he wants us to take a stand. Who do you say Jesus is?

9:21Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ because at this point they didn’t fully understand the significance of that confession—nor would anyone else. Everyone still expected the Messiah to come as a conquering king. But even though Jesus was the Messiah, he still had to suffer, be rejected by the leaders, be killed, and rise from the dead. When the disciples saw all this happen to Jesus, they would understand what the Messiah had come to do. Only then would they be equipped to share the Good News that the Messiah had come and brought his Kingdom to people's hearts.

9:22This was the turning point in Jesus’ instruction to his disciples. From then on he began teaching clearly and specifically what they could expect, so that they would not be surprised when it happened. He explained that he would not now be the conquering Messiah because he first had to suffer, die, and rise again. But one day he would return in great glory to set up his eternal Kingdom.

9:23To take up the cross meant to carry one’s own cross to the place of crucifixion. Many Galileans had been killed that way by the Romans—and Jesus would face it as well. With this word picture, Christ presented a clear and challenging description of the Christian fife. Being his disciple means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s “cross” every day, and following him. Itis simple and yet so demanding. For the original Twelve, this meant literal suffering and death. For believers today, it means understanding that we belong to him and that we live to serve his purposes. Consider this: Do you think of your relationship with God primarily in terms of what's in it for you (which is considerable) or in terms of what you can do for him? Are you willing to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him? Anything less is not discipleship; it is merely superficial tip service. (See also the note on 14:27.)

9:24,25\f this present life is most important to you, you will do everything you can to protect it. You will not want to do anything that might endanger your safety, health, or comfort. By contrast, if following Jesus is most important, you may find yourself in unsafe, unhealthy, and uncomfortable places. You may risk death, but you will not fear it because you know that Jesus will raise you to eternal life. Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus’ disciples are not to use their lives on earth merely to please themselves; they should spend their lives serving God and others.

9:26Luke’s Greek audience would have had difficulty understanding a God who could die, just as Jesus’ Jewish audience would have been perplexed by a Messiah who would let himself be captured and killed. Both would be ashamed of Jesus if they did not look past his death to his glorious resurrection and second coming. Then they would see Jesus, not as a loser, but as the LORD of the universe, who through his death brought salvation to those who believe.

9:27When Jesus said some would not die without seeing the Kingdom, he may have been referring to: (1) Peter, James, and John, who would witness the Transfiguration eight days later; (2) all who would witness the Resurrection and Ascension; (3) atl who would take part in the spread of the church after Pentecost. Jesus’ listeners would not have to wait for another, future Messiah. The Kingdom was among them, and would soon come in power.

9:29,30Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain to show them who he really was—not merely a great prophet, but God’s own Son. Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, representing the Prophets, appeared with Jesus. Then God's voice singled out Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, who possessed divine authority. Jesus would fulfill both the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).

9:33When Peter suggested making three shelters, he may have been thinking of the Festival of Shelters, where shelters were set up to commemorate the Exodus, God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Peter wanted to keep Moses and Etijah with them, but this was not what God wanted. Peter’s desire to build memorials for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah may also show his understanding that real faith is built on three cornerstones: the Law, the Prophets, and Jesus. But Peter grew in his understanding, and eventually he would write of Jesus as the “cornerstone” of the church (1 Peter 2:6).

9:35As God’s Son, Jesus has God’s power and authority; thus, his words should be our fina! authority. lf a person’s teaching is true, it will agree with Jesus’ teachings. Don’t be hasty to seek advice and guidance from merely human sources and thereby neglect Christ’s message. Test everything you hear against Jesus words and you will not be led astray. If we believe he is God's Son, then we surely will want to do what he says.

9:37-39Peter, James, and John experienced a wonderful moment on the mountain, and they probably didn’t want to teave. Sometimes we too have such an inspiring experience that we want to stay where we are-—away from the reality and problems of our daily life. Knowing that struggles await us in the valley encourages us to linger on the mountaintop. Yet staying on top of a mountain prohibits our ministering to others. Instead of becoming spiritual giants, we would soon become dwarfed by our self-centeredness. We need times of retreat and renewal but only so we can return to minister to the world. Our faith must make sense off the mountain as well as on it.

9:40Why couldn't the disciples cast out the evil spirit? For a possible answer, see the note on Mark 9:18.

9:45,46The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ words about his death. They stitl thought of Jesus as only an earthly king, and they were concerned about their places in the Kingdom he would set up. So they ignored Jesus’ words about his death and began arguing about who would be the greatest.

9:48Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God's eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can’t return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.

9:49,50The disciples were jealous. Nine of them together had been unable to cast out a single evil spirit (9:40), but when they saw a man who was not one of their group casting out demons, they told him to stop. Our pride is hurt when someone else succeeds where we have failed, but Jesus says there is no room for such jealousy in the spiritual warfare of his Kingdom. Share Jesus’ open-arms attitude toward Christian workers outside your group. Rejoice when they are able to bring people to Christ.

9:51Although Jesus knew he would face persecution and death in Jerusalem, he was determined to go there. That kind of resolve should characterize our lives as well. When God gives us a course of action, we must move steadily toward our destination, regardless of the potential hazards that await us there.

9:53After Assyria invaded Israel, the northern kingdom, and resettled it with its own people (2 Kings 17:24-41), the mixed race that developed became known as the Samaritans. “Purebred” Jews hated these “half-breeds,” and the Samaritans in turn hated the Jews. So many tensions arose between the two peoples that Jewish travelers between Galilee and southern Judea often would walk around rather than through Samaritan territory, even though this would lengthen their trip considerably. Jesus held no such prejudices, and he sent messengers ahead to get things ready in a Samaritan village. But the village refused to welcome these Jewish travelers who were headed for Jerusalem.

9:54When the Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus and his disciples, James and John didn't want to stop at shaking the dust from their feet (9:5). They wanted to retaliate by calling down fire from heaven on the people, as Elijah had done on the servants of a wicked king of Israel (2 Kings 1). When others reject or scorn us, we, too, may feel like retaliating. We must remember that judgment belongs to God, and we must not expect him to use his power to carry out personal vendettas.

9:59Luke does not say whether the father is already dead or terminally ill. It seems likely that if the father were dead, the son would have been fulfilling the burial duties. Jesus was saying that true discipleship requires instant action. Jesus did not teach people to forsake responsibilities to family, but he often gave commands to people in light of their real motives. Perhaps this man wanted to delay following Christ and was using his father as an excuse. Following Jesus has a cost, and each of us must be ready to serve, even when it requires sacrifice.

9:62What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can't pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown. We must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security—without looking back. With our focus on Jesus, we should allow nothing to distract us from following him.