The Neighbor that is Merciful

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10: 29-37).

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to reveal the sorry condition of the inquiring man’s heart. Like a diligent young lawyer he sought “to justify himself”. He missed the whole point of Christ’s message here. Jesus taught that the law that leads to life leads to Him. God’s law leads repentant sinners to life by revealing our desperate need for the Savior… “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). Through faith in Christ as the propitiation for our sin we receive the gift of new life… “Whom God put forward as propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins” (Romans 3:25). To help the young lawyer grasp this truth, Jesus answered with a parable that illustrated the evidence of the new life. The self-righteousness of the priest and Levite contrasted with the compassion of the Samaritan to reveal the transformation that occurs in the heart of a truly born again believer. Earnest disciples are encouraged here to let Christ make us more like the neighbor that is merciful.

The merciful neighbor is compelled by relationships, not religion. Like the priest in Jesus’ parable, we sometimes rely on religious rules and programs as we seek to grow as disciples. This is because we are still learning to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh… “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Teacher compelled Paul to exhort us to crucify, to put to death our sin nature… “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). Denying the flesh and living fully in the Spirit is impossible without the new birth because it requires the same kind of faith that we exercised when we were born again… “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6). Among the glorious results of this kind of saving faith is a new, compassionate heart that is in step with the leading of the Holy Spirit… “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). The priest’s steps were enslaved by religion, but like the steps of the Samaritan, the true disciple’s steps are guided by the Spirit to respond with the compassion and mercy of the Lord to those in need.

The merciful neighbor is concerned about people, not productivity. Like the Levite in Jesus’ parable, we are inclined to trust in our performance and works as we seek to grow as disciples. Christ is not impressed by what we do, but who we touch with His gospel of life. The needs of others are opportunities to share Christ… “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). The Levite’s agenda was bound by his to-do list, but like the Samaritan, real disciples are free and eager to show the love and mercy of Christ to those in need.

The merciful neighbor is convicted by compassion, not cost. The new hearts of truly born again believers are compelled to imitate the merciful heart of the Samaritan. The heart that is being conformed to the compassion and mercy of the heart of Christ is increasingly sensitive and responsive to the needs of others… “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

As we grow up into Christ His love compels us as He conforms us into the likeness of…

The Neighbor that is Merciful.

The Law that Leads to Life

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live” (Luke 10: 25-28).

On the heels of Jesus’ exhortation to stay focused on Him, a lawyer asked a challenging and revealing question. The Spirit prompts us to note that the lawyer was testing Jesus, but He does not reveal the lawyer’s motive. What is revealed is the focus of the lawyer’s heart. His eyes were not on Christ. Instead, he wanted to know how to “inherit eternal life”. He was so concerned about finding a way to heaven that he didn’t recognize Jesus was THE WAY to heaven… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In His reply, Jesus showed the lawyer and truth seekers in every age how God’s law is intended to reveal the deadly condition of our sinful hearts and the new life offered to us by  Christ our Savior... “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:23-24). Diligent disciples discover here the blessings of obedience to the law that leads to life.

God’s law commands us to love God completely. The first four commandments concern our relationship with God. He is to be the consuming love of our lives… “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth… You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain… Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:3-8). It’s not hard to know how God wants us to express our love for Him. Jesus plainly confirmed the truth that the love of true disciples is expressed through obedience to His commandments… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Evidence that we are truly born again is a growing desire to love God by searching out and obeying His commandments as revealed in His Word.

God’s law compels us to love others compassionately. The last six commandments concern our relationship with others… “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet… (Exodus 20:12-17). God’s law rearranges the priorities of our lives and reorders our relationships as His consuming love takes control of our hearts… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Further evidence that we are truly born again is an increasing willingness to live for Christ, giving more of ourselves to loving and serving others.

God’s law convinces us to love Christ contritely. In the light of the very high and noble demands of God’s law, we are made aware of the true condition of our sinful hearts… “Through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Jesus knows that His disciples’ efforts to obey the law by loving God and others will keep us aware of our constant need of His grace… “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21). Today, as in every age, our faithful obedience to the commandments of God is a reminder to us and a testimony to others of the grace that leads to new life in Christ!

As we grow up into Christ and obey His great commandments we show the world around us…

The Law that Leads to Life.

The Eyes that are Blessed

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Luke 10: 21-24).

We are born with natural vision that is blurred. We see only the natural things around us. But when our eyes are blessed by the new birth we receive Holy Spirit power to see the unseen real world that surrounds us… “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Seeing the true world around us requires eyes of faith… “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The Spirit reveals through God’s Word that others have seen with eyes blessed by faith and they beckon us to follow their example… “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). How might you and your world be changed if Jesus could say that you have the eyes that are blessed?

Eyes that please the Lord are blessed. The things that His disciples were seeing and understanding brought spontaneous rejoicing to the Spirit of Jesus. This confirms that He was able to see exactly what His disciples saw. Disciples that want to please the Lord seek out the things that please Him and avoid the things that displease Him. Jesus taught that what we set our eyes on will shape our heart… “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23).

Eyes that are childlike are blessed. Children have an appealing wonder and amazement in their eyes because so much of what they see of the world is new to them. Growing disciples should have the same kind of anticipation and excitement about the infinitely wonderful things the Spirit wants to show us… “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Eyes that are fixed upon Jesus are blessed. Because Jesus is the full revelation of God, He is infinitely showing us more of our Father. Eager disciples are unceasingly seeking a greater glimpse of Christ in His Word, in fellowship with other disciples, and in the lives of others as we serve Him… “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Blessed eyes will see the fall of Satan and his followers. Blessed eyes recognize the enemy’s presence and see him and his followers as they really are, disarmed… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15).

Blessed eyes will see their names written in heaven. Blessed eyes see beyond the trials of this temporal life to the eternal victory of heaven… “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Blessed eyes will see the Father revealed in the Son. Blessed eyes see the presence of Christ and His revelation of the Father in every circumstance of life because He has promised He is always here… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age… I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

As we grow up into Christ we increasingly see the circumstances and people of this world through…

The Eyes that are Blessed.

The Reasons for Our Rejoicing

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10: 17-20).

The harvest laborers returned from their mission filled with joy. They had been faithful to preach the gospel of the kingdom and God had released His power in many ways to confirm that “The kingdom of God has come near to you’ (Luke 10:9). Their ministry was affirmed by great signs and wonders like healing and deliverance. They had been personally supported by God’s power and authority over “all the power of the enemy” that rose up with vengeance to oppose them. Indeed, there was much to be thankful and joyful over. Jesus affirmed their joy with a revelation into the activity of heaven that accompanied their victory on earth as He reported that “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”. He also reminded them that He was the source of their authority and added a promise that He will continue to empower and protect them. Then He added an exhortation. Jesus let His disciples know that this present joy was only a precursor to an even greater and forever joy that awaited them in heaven. In today’s study, growing disciples are encouraged to become harvest laborers by a revelation of the reasons for our rejoicing.

When we actively share the gospel we produce evidence on earth that Satan is fallen from heaven. The Spirit inspired Isaiah to reveal the truth that Satan was a high ranking angel that was cast down because of His pride… “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north” (Isaiah 14:12-13). The Spirit moved Ezekiel to affirm the fall of Satan… “In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:16). Because Christ came to destroy the work of fallen Satan here on earth… “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Because Christ lives in born again disciples, Satan’s fallen estate is revealed on earth when Christ’s power is released through the sharing of His gospel.

When we aggressively share the gospel we experience confirmation that spirits are subject to us. Satan is fallen and his followers, spirits and demons have been disarmed… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). At the same time, Christ has armed His disciples with authority that is released in and through us as we obey the Great Commission… “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). Spirits must surrender when Christ’s authority is released in the sharing of His gospel.

When we assertively share the gospel we show others the surety of our salvation. The joy of victory over Satan and his minions here on earth is fleeting. As we move on to the next battle, Jesus exhorts us to keep the eternal victory in sight. Our confidence is a reflection of the assurance the gospel offers to all who trust in Jesus Christ… “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5). The assurance of our salvation is reflected in the sharing of His Gospel.

As we grow up into Christ and share His gospel we declare to the world…

The Reasons for Our Rejoicing.

The Power to Speak for God

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. The one who hears you hears me and the one who rejects you rejects me and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10: 13-16).

We are reminded once again today of the indispensability of the new birth. True disciples must be born again so we can receive the Holy Spirit who wants to speak to us… “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16) and through us… “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). As we grow in Christ and His Spirit fills us with His truth, we cannot help but overflow with the gospel message that the world around us needs to hear. As we grow in His Word we begin to reflect God’s truth to the hearts and lives of those around us. The results are extreme. Jesus prophesied that towns, villages, cities, and countries are raised up and brought down by their response to the words spoken by messengers of His gospel. Even today, standing or falling in eternity is dependent upon the response of those who hear the gospel message. Serious disciples look for and take advantage of every opportunity to exercise the power to speak for God.

The power of God’s Word is revealed in our presence. True born again believers have the presence of Christ in us…  “Examine yourselves… Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). We have been given the responsibility to share the presence of Christ with the world around us… “To them (His saints) God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). This means that if we are willing, the Lord can lead us to all the places He wants to show up and reveal His great power every day… “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Where might Jesus want you to go today so that He might reveal Himself to a hurting or lost person today?

The power of God’s Word is revealed in our practice. Sometimes we don’t have to go anywhere special. It is in the common everyday places like home, neighborhood, work, or church and among the people we already have regular contact with like family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers that Christ’s power might be proclaimed because we are different… “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). It is the power of God’s Word that makes us different… “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). Being set apart from the world should incite those closest to us to ask the reason why we are different… “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Might someone close to you ask what makes you different today?

The power of God’s Word is revealed in our proclamation. The eager disciple’s willingness to be where Christ wants to be and to be set apart from the world by God’s Word will inevitably lead to opportunities to speak God’s Word to others. Jesus taught His disciples to be prepared for such climactic moments by learning to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s presence and leading… “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20). Speaking for God is imitating Christ… “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). What is it that God wants to speak through you into someone’s life today?

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective disciple-makers because He has given us…

The Power to Speak for God.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town” (Luke 10: 5-12).

In its simplest terms, the gospel message is God Offers Sinful People Eternal Life (note the acrostic). The soul-saving response to the gospel requires faith… “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). The result of a truly faithful response to the gospel’s message is a born again life that is surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord… “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). True disciples have become citizens of a new kingdom… “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Life as a citizen of Christ’s kingdom is full of incredible blessings… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). In today’s text we get a glimpse of two blessings that come to those who receive the kingdom and one terrible consequence for those who reject it. The Holy Spirit reminds us here that as we diligently share Christ’s gospel, our world will be transformed by the gospel of the kingdom of God.

The approaching kingdom brings peace to those who receive it. Everyone is searching for peace but few understand the true meaning of the word. The Greek word translated peace here is eirēnē and it means quietness and rest that comes from being set at one again. Jesus taught that true peace comes when God’s creatures are restored to fellowship with Him in His kingdom… “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). This kind of peace is not disrupted by the trials and conflicts of this world… “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). The gospel of God’s kingdom offers true, lasting peace to an alienated world.

The approaching kingdom brings healing to those who receive it. Jesus gave His harvest laborers the power to heal the sick. But examination of the Greek word for heal used here, therapeuō reveals a connection between true, lasting healing and the kingdom of God. The definition of this peculiar word is to adore (God), or to relieve (of disease):- cure, heal, worship. The gospel of the kingdom offers healing that sets us free of the disease of sin so we can worship and adore God… “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). The gospel of God’s kingdom offers complete healing that frees us to reflect and enjoy the glory of Christ.

The approaching kingdom brings judgment for those who reject it. If a town rejected the harvest laborers the messengers were to shake the town's dust off their feet. When Jews returned home from a Gentile country, they would shake the dust off their feet to signify their breaking ties with the Gentiles. In this way certain Jewish townspeople were acknowledged to be like Gentiles who would not listen or believe. Jesus gave the entire area opportunity to become restored to fellowship with God or to remain forever separated from Him… “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). The gospel of God’s kingdom is a message of both forgiveness and judgment.

As we grow up into Christ we will see hearts and communities shaken and transformed by…

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

The Attributes of the Harvest Laborer

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road” (Luke 10: 1-4).

Faithful to His recurring pattern, Jesus confronted the crowd of followers with a fresh call to go deeper in their walk with Him. He called seventy-two others to step away from the crowd and to go ahead of Him out into the countryside as laborers to harvest souls for the Kingdom. He had done this recently, sending His twelve closest disciples out to preach and heal, and upon their return He called them apostles: (Greek – apostolos: ambassador, messenger, he that is sent)… “And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles” (Luke 6:13). There is much theological debate about whether the office of Apostle still exists, but for sure, the ministry of the apostle is still very much needed, as much of the world still needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not call the seventy-two apostles. Instead He identified them as harvest laborers. Today the Holy Spirit prompts us to hear Jesus call to go on ahead of Him to share His gospel in our needy world. Our success will be enhanced as we discover and develop the attributes of the harvest laborer.

Harvest laborers are sent as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The Spirit intentionally inspired Luke to write that these new messengers were to go into every town and place “where he himself was about to go”. How encouraging to know that when we follow the Spirit’s leading He will direct us just a few steps ahead of Jesus Christ as He pursues the hearts of the lost… “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Diligent disciples will be infected with Christ’s extreme burden and love for lost sinners and we will eagerly look for opportunities to build healthy relationships with them. We will be increasingly willing to go where Jesus would go and touch those whom Jesus would touch if He walked in our shoes, which of course He does… “To them (His saints) God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you” (Colossians 1:27). If you’ve been spending time with Christ, maybe the places you are going today; home, neighborhood, or workplace, are His places of harvest for you. Maybe He is calling you to labor in some new harvest somewhere. If you are willing, Jesus might send you as His ambassador into the life of someone He is soon to draw into the kingdom, just so you can share in the harvest with Him!

Harvest laborers are sent as answers to prayer. Jesus wanted these new ambassadors to know they were being sent in answer to prayer. With this admonition, He exhorted all disciples to pray for the lost. When we obey this command we are imitating Christ who also prayed for the lost… “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (John 17:20). How exciting to live as a harvest laborer and believe that wherever we go and whomever we meet, we might just be the answer to a prayer that originated in the heart of Jesus Christ Himself, and that is being echoed by unknown fellow disciples nearby!

Harvest laborers are sent as archetypes of Christ. This is probably the toughest attribute of one who is sent to grasp and achieve. Jesus chose His words very carefully as He challenged would be apostles to be as lambs in the midst of wolves. He was calling harvest laborers to be a reflection of Himself to the world. He was “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Here, He exhorts His messengers to live a life that illustrates the sacrificial life He lived, without dependence on or distraction by the material world around us. As we mature as disciples and grow less attached to the world, we become more available to be sent as archetypes of Christ to a desperate and needy world.

As we grow up into Christ we enjoy the blessings of sharing His gospel as we seek and develop…

The Attributes of the Harvest Laborer.

The Cost of Following Jesus

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “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.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:57-62).

When Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), three people emerged from the crowd and expressed their desire to follow Him. I believe their passion for the Master warmed His heart. True to form, Jesus seized the opportunity to give them some deeper revelation into the definition and requirements of true discipleship. He had recently spoken to the disciples on the subject of following Him… “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). He taught that real discipleship is exchanging our lives for the life He offers, that is a life that imitates His own life of sacrifice and love… “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:24-25). In today’s text the Spirit of Truth illuminates Christ’s response to three would-be disciples to help us discover deeper truth about the cost of following Jesus.

To follow Jesus, He must become our consummate provider. Jesus exhorted the first follower to imitate Him by trusting in nothing of this world to meet His most intimate needs. Jesus had no earthly home because His heart was fixed on completing His mission and returning to His eternal home… “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). True disciples depend only on God and are free to follow and serve the Lord because we are unencumbered by the trappings and distractions of this world... “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).  Christ-following disciples need only one King and one Provider, Jesus Christ.

To follow Jesus, He must become our compelling proclamation. You’ve been to funerals. You know there are lots of different emotions expressed at such moments. There are lots of different words shared among those grieving together. Once we are born again we become sensitive to the absence of hope among those who don’t know Jesus Christ. The Spirit inspired Paul to exhort true disciples to be different by expressing the hope of Christ at the death of our loved ones… “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). True disciples have a tremendous message of hope and a responsibility to proclaim it among those grieving the loss of their loved ones… “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). In life and death, and in every moment in between, diligent disciples make the most of every opportunity to proclaim Christ’s gospel.

To follow Jesus, He must become our consuming passion. Jesus commended the follower that wanted to “say farewell to those at my home”. But He exhorted him to make it a permanent farewell. When we are born again we are not merely transformed, but we begin a completely new life… “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means all of our relationships are redefined. While we still have earthly relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and others, they are no longer primary because we are born again into a new forever family… “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him” (1 John 5:1). The fresh, new desire of the earnest disciple’s heart is to bring everyone we know into our new family. Of course, we know that some may embrace the gospel we share, while others may reject it.

As we grow up into Christ our fellowship with Him increases as we pay…

The Cost of Following Jesus.

The Love that Endures Rejection

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village” (Luke 9:51-56).

Only Jesus knew what “taken up” (analēmpsis: receive up) really meant. His sovereignty is revealed in the revelation that He knew the climactic days of His earthly life and ministry were approaching. The spotless sacrificial Lamb of God was soon to be received up by the father on behalf of sinners… “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The taking up of Christ involved surrendering to the cruelty of man, suffering the abuse and crucifixion of Calvary, and submitting to time in the grave before ascending in glory to His Father in heaven. Yet, without any hesitation, Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem”. As Christ and His disciples were rejected by some Samaritan villagers, we learn that the cross and the rejection of Christ were unavoidable. Together they presented another opportunity for Jesus to prepare His disciples for the gospel preaching and disciple making work that was ahead of them. Today we learn how to deal with the unavoidable suffering and rejection that will come our way when we earnestly seek to imitate Christ and reflect the love that endures rejection.

The Savior’s suffering was unavoidable. The Spirit inspired Paul to exhort us to make knowing Christ the priority of our heart… “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). He went on to say that knowing Christ came through the inseparable experiences of His resurrection power and sharing in His suffering… “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). If you’re like me, you aren’t attracted to suffering. In fact, most of us avoid suffering at all costs. But Jesus’ determined journey through suffering and death on the way to a glorious resurrection inspires us to enter into His suffering when we encounter it in the lives of others, so we might also bring the power of His resurrection into their lives. The Spirit inspired Paul to pray that we might know and share this resurrection power that is so closely connected to Christ’s suffering… “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20). Effective disciples are willing to fellowship in Christ’s suffering.

The Samaritans’ scorn was unnerving. The Samaritans had an inbred disdain for the Jews that had rejected and persecuted them for centuries. Their rejection of the Messiah’s focus on Jerusalem was as understandable as the defensive reaction of James and John that earned them the nickname Sons of Thunder… “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder)” (Mark 3:17).  But Jesus seized the opportunity to show the unconditional love of God to these unloved Samaritans and to initiate a transformation in the hearts of James and John… “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35). Earnest disciples overcome rejection with the unconditional love of Christ.

The disciples’ schooling was urgent. Just as suffering and rejection is ever-present for serious disciples committed to preaching the gospel and making disciples, so too is Jesus Christ ever present to grant discernment and victory in every trial… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Maturing disciples let suffering and rejection drive them closer to the Savior.

As we grow up into Christ and we engage the world with His gospel, we will be challenged to reflect…

The Love that Endures Rejection.

The Diversity of Kingdom Building Ministry

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:49-50).

The life of a true disciple is all about following Jesus Christ. There is always great temptation to begin following something or someone else. One of the earnest disciple’s greatest temptations is to follow a person or ministry more fervently than Jesus. The disciples enjoyed great success as Jesus had empowered them to preach and heal throughout the villages of Galilee… “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal… And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-6). The Spirit shows us today that along with their success the disciples acquired some narrow vision. When they encountered someone else who had a growing and effective deliverance ministry, John’s report revealed that their hearts were consumed with envy, jealousy, and ignorance. Jesus’s reply shows that He wanted them and He wants serious disciples in all ages to discover and appreciate the diversity of kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ envy kept them from rejoicing in the power revealed in this other ministry. We recall that this incident came just after the disciples had failed on their own to deliver a poor demon possessed boy. Were they powerless to deliver the boy because they were envious of the power of another ministry? The gifts and power to do kingdom building work are intended to glorify God alone… “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11). Earnest disciples rejoice when God gets glory in kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ jealousy kept them from sharing His joy over the report from another ministry. The compulsion to protect and defend our ministry makes us falsely believe that other people and ministries are our enemies. Only Christ knows who His enemies are and He is more than able to defeat them… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). As we grow in Christ we learn to trust God to be our protector and defender… “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name” (Psalm 33:20-21). Maturing disciples enjoy working together with others in kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ ignorance kept them from seeing the size and scope of God’s kingdom building ministry. Christ’s work is bigger than any person or ministry because Christ’s sovereignty is all-encompassing. Because of the sovereignty of Christ, we can trust that His work gets done through a multitude of others even when they don't do it just like we do… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Jesus challenges us to open our eyes and hearts to discover the grandeur of the ministry that is bigger than us. He wants us to know we are part of a large, diverse work that encompasses the globe and the ages too… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Dedicated disciples trust the sovereignty of Christ over His huge and diverse kingdom building ministry.

As we grow up into Christ serving in faith, humility, and wonder, we discover that we’re part of…

The Diversity of Kingdom Building Ministry.

The Greatness of Child-Like Faith

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:46-48).

The disciples were too afraid to ask Jesus about His warning that “the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:44). But they were not afraid to argue about “which of them was the greatest”. No doubt they were comparing the miracles they had performed on their recent missions into the villages of Galilee… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases… and they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1; 6). To readjust their focus and reposition their hearts (in other words, to humble them) Jesus placed a child by His side and He taught them about the greatness of child-like faith.

Jesus placed the child close to His side. He exhorts disciples in every age to imitate the willingness of this young child to be removed from the comfort of his family and friends and to be placed close by the side of Jesus. He wants us to be His children… “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (1 John 3:1). Jesus wants us to move away from the world and stay close to Him that we might become more like Him… “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Being born again and growing as a child of God requires child-like faith… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Like children, born again disciples long for and enjoy deepening intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Jesus told the disciples to receive the child in His name. Children are gifts to be received and treasured as reflections of our Father… “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). He exhorts disciples in every age to see ourselves as children created in the image and for the glory of God. Children who grow up into Christ will discover the unique purpose and plan God has for their lives… “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). To discover and pursue God’s life plan we all must be born again and become like children, forsaking our own life plan in order to discover and discover and enjoy the special life God created for us… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Like children, serious disciples are always learning to live for Christ.

Jesus used the child to redefine greatness. Children were not a high priority in the culture of Jesus’ day. The disciples considered the approach of children to be a distraction to the ministry of their Master… “They were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them” (Mark 10:13). But Jesus turned the tables and established a high priority for children in His kingdom and in the Church… “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God’” (Mark 10:14). He went on to teach that understanding and experiencing kingdom greatness is a product of child-like faith… “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15). Like children, maturing disciples expect to do great things because we have growing faith as we get to know Jesus better.

As we grow up into Christ we’re never too old to discover and experience…

The Greatness of Child-Like Faith.

The Paradox that was Concealed

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying (Luke 9:43b-45).

The crowd saw Him confront and confound legions of demons, heal every disease brought to him, and raise a young girl from the dead. The disciples saw Him calm a raging storm, feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, and be transfigured and confirmed by the voice of God from Heaven. They all marveled at what they saw.  But Jesus told His disciples they hadn’t seen anything yet. The most profound and perplexing events were still to come and they would be the paradox that was concealed.

This paradox was predetermined. Son of Man is a name assigned to the prophet Ezekiel dozens of times and describes him as a prophet given to judge man according to the Word of God. The miracles of Jesus confirmed that He was the ultimate Son of Man sent by God and promised by the Old Testament prophet Daniel… “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus identified Himself as the Son of Man who will return to earth again as the judge of those who reject His gospel… “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). But first, the Son of Man would surrender to the authorities of man to lay down His life as atonement for sin… “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Believing that their miracle working and God-confirmed Master would be delivered into the hands of mere men was for now, beyond the grasp of the disciples.

This paradox was voluntary. This was Jesus’ third attempt to warn His disciples of His coming suffering. It shows His compassion and concern for them, and it also reveals the important truth He was in control of this situation. He was not at the mercy of human authorities. He was about to willingly surrender to them… “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). Ultimately, Jesus was surrendering to His Father’s will… “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Understanding the kind of love that would compel Jesus to lay down His life was for now, beyond the grasp of His disciples.

This paradox was concealed. The implications of Jesus’ words were concealed. On first glance we might assume it was Jesus Himself that kept His meaning from them, but the very presence of the Word of God on earth and in the flesh was to reveal the glory, grace, and truth of God to mankind… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus told the disciples to “let these words sink into your ears” but His words did not find a home in their hearts because they were filled with fear. The Spirit inspired Luke to note that the disciples’ fear kept them from asking Jesus about this saying. After His death and resurrection, Christ would give all true disciples victory over fear through the Holy Spirit so that we might fully grasp all of the truth of God’s Word… “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). But before their fulfillment, the meaning of Jesus’ words about His suffering was beyond the grasp of His disciples.

As we grow up into Christ we are thankful for the understanding His Spirit gives us about…

The Paradox that was Concealed.

The Faith that Reveals the Majesty of God

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at 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 shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God (Luke 9:37-43).

There is a hard saying here. Jesus criticized the faith of the whole generation that had the blessing of the presence of the incarnate Word of God in their world… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He wondered aloud how long He would have to be with them. But with a word of rebuke Jesus delivered and healed the demon possessed boy and restored him to his father. He also demonstrated here that He will stay with us no matter how long it takes and He’ll do whatever it takes to instill in us the faith that reveals the majesty of God.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the presence of Christ. We can take all of our trials and crises to lots of different places for help. We are quick to go to the doctor, the counselor, and sometimes the church in our times of need. But this is twisted faith. It is faith placed in the wrong place. The Son of God took on flesh to compel us to come to Him. Effective Christian pastors, teachers, and counselors should direct our hearts toward Jesus when we need help because the purpose of everything in life, including life’s trials is to help us to know Jesus Christ better… “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). In fact, the trials we face are often intended to reveal the Glory of God… “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Seeking the presence of Christ in the midst of our trials produces faith that reveals the majesty of God as He reveals Jesus more clearly to us.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the power of Christ. The father and the disciples were not without faith. Their faith was misplaced. Both the father and the disciples had come to trust the power that was being revealed in their public ministry. Such misplaced faith let them down because Christ is the only source of the power and wisdom of God… “We preach Christ crucified… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). In fact, trials are wonderful opportunities for the revelation of the power Christ in our lives… “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). Trusting the power of Christ produces faith that reveals the majesty of God when He answers our prayer.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the persistence of Christ. Jesus could have punctuated His declaration by leaving the scene. He could have returned to His Father with a report about the faithlessness of the generation that rejected Him. But Jesus remained fully engaged with the needy people He came to serve. We often forsake Him when our requests go unanswered, but He will never leave or forsake us… “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, it may well be in the waiting that we get to know Christ better as He sharpens and matures our faith… “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Trusting the persistence of Christ produces faith that reveals the majesty of God as it glorifies Christ.

As we grow up into Christ we reflect His glory in the world as we grow in…

The Faith that Reveals the Majesty of God.

The Transfiguration that Keeps Us Looking Up!

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen” (Luke 9:28-36).

Jesus made an extraordinary promise… “There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27). By the “kingdom of God” he meant the sight of the glory in which he will appear at his second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords… “Which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15-16). He will come in the glory of God the Father and not in a humble condition as He first came. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke gives truth seekers in every age a precious glimpse of the soon returning Lord we all long for. We are exhorted to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ and we are encouraged to share His gospel in this dark world by the transfiguration that keeps us looking up!

Christ is the confirmation of our resurrection. When Jesus returns He will be different. He will forever bear the marks of the crucifixion…”Between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). But He will also be glorified… “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. (Revelation 1:14-15). These two characteristics of our eternal Savior are a reminder to keep looking to Christ, in whom we are overcomers in this temporal world and with whom we’re on our way to an everlasting and glorious victory… “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Christ’s transfiguration confirms our glorious destiny!

Christ is the consummation of the law and the prophets. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. They testify about Christ… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Christ’s transfiguration exhorts us to diligently search God’s Word because He is the consummation of the scriptures.

Christ is the coeternal Son with His Father. God’s visual and audible acknowledgement of Jesus as His Son and Messiah reveals that He is more than a teacher, prophet, or founder of a new religion. This is confirmation that Jesus is part of the Trinity, God incarnate, Savior and Lord forever… “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Christ’s transfiguration exhorts us to confess Him as coeternal Lord with God.

As we grow up into Christ we find encouragement to keep our focus on Him in…

The Transfiguration that Keeps Us Looking Up.

The Evidence of Maturing Discipleship

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:23-27).

Jesus did not call us to build churches. He said clearly that He would build His Church… “On this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). He gave us a very clear job. Jesus called us to make disciples… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, presents great encouragement and insight in today’s text for those of us serious about becoming and making disciples. He inspired Luke to record Jesus’ teaching about the consequences of true discipleship. Jesus had just prophesied about His suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. Now He challenged His disciples to take a deeper step of faith and follow His example. There is exhortation here for serious Christ followers in every age to examine themselves and to encourage one another to reflect the evidence of maturing discipleship.

The maturing disciple denies himself. Evidence of maturing discipleship is a growing understanding and appreciation of the great exchange that took place at the moment of our new birth… “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have not received a changed life, we have received a new life! The Spirit compelled Paul to exhort growing disciples to deny themselves by consistently putting the old life to death so we might experience the fullness of the new life in Christ… “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Maturing disciples have seen the Lord transform their hearts, replacing old selfish desires with hunger and anticipation of growing intimacy with Christ.

The maturing disciple takes up his cross. Evidence of maturing disciples is an increasing desire to know all of Christ. Young believers are hungry for the power of God to energize their ministry and witness… “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Maturing believers get to know the Lord better through suffering… “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:5). The Spirit inspired Paul to exhort growing disciples to seek and share in both the power and the suffering of Christ… “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Maturing disciples are willing to get close to the cross and share in Christ’s sufferings as we anticipate the resurrection.

The maturing disciple follows Christ. Evidence of maturing discipleship is a willingness to go where Christ would go. He gathered no personal possessions, achieved no earthly position, and attached himself to no particular place. He carried no baggage and let nothing keep him from the journey toward the cross. He was undeterred by prearranged agendas but He was sensitive and responsive to needs that arose around Him. Often as He journeyed from place to place Jesus was moved with compassion to change His plan and take a life-transforming detour… “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14). Maturing disciples are willing and eager to follow the Lord’s leading into deeper and more effective areas of ministry as we fulfill the Great Commission.

As we grow up into Christ His Word and His Spirit humble us and sharpen us to increasingly reflect…

The Evidence of Maturing Discipleship.

The Truth of the Gospel that Saves

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:18-22).

The apostles returned from preaching the gospel and heling the sick. Great crowds followed them back into the company of Jesus. He welcomed them, taught them more about the kingdom of God, and healed their diseases. Finally, Jesus empowered His disciples to supernaturally feed the hungry crowd of more than five thousand. All of this left the crowd wondering aloud about who Jesus really was. Many speculated that He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet risen from the dead. Peter spoke for the disciples that were closest to Him, for those who had been anointed by Him with power to heal, deliver, and bless in His name. Peter was the first among many through the ages that would correctly identify Jesus as “The Christ of God.” But curiously, Jesus ordered that this proclamation be kept secret because it did not tell the whole truth of the gospel. Jesus did not want less than the whole gospel proclaimed before its fulfillment. Then He revealed to the disciples, and to earnest gospel witnesses in all ages, the truth of the gospel that saves

The true gospel is rejected by the religions of the day. People are created in God’s image with an inner awareness and longing to know Him… “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This leaves us vulnerable to the corruption and deception of religious truth promoted in every age by Satan, our enemy… “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9). That’s why the gospel is set apart from the works-righteousness of other religions by the unique truth that in Christ God does the saving work for sinners. Jesus’ warning that His gospel will be rejected by the world but received by the repentant is echoed by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul… “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The true gospel is revealed in the reviling of Christ. The crowds were enamored by the power of Jesus’ teaching and miracles. But it would take more to save their souls. Their reaction to Christ’s suffering would be very different… “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:42-43). But there were other responses among the witnesses to Christ’s suffering and crucifixion. Those whose spirits were quickened with a hunger for truth, like the centurion and the small crowd with him were granted a revelation of who Jesus really was… “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).

The true gospel is realized in the resurrection of Christ. The crowds were impressed by the authority and power of Jesus’ words and ministry, and they might be moved by His willingness to suffer and die for His kingdom message, but real faith would only come when He demonstrated victory over the crippling and deadly consequences of sin through His resurrection. The resurrection confirms Christ’s divinity… “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption” (Acts 2:27). And the resurrection confirms true believers’ ultimate victory over sin and death… “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

As we grow up into Christ effective witnesses are blessed by and careful to share…

The Truth of the Gospel that Saves.

The Power of the Effective Local Church

On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces (Luke 9:10-17).

Jesus had previously empowered and sent twelve of His disciples to introduce the kingdom of God to the world through itinerant ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2). Jesus was beginning His work of building the Church… “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He was going to lay the foundation of His Church on the ministry of these sent disciples who are now called apostles… “The household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). The apostles’ ministry was profound and effective. There were great crowds and reports even reached the ears of Herod, the local ruler. When the apostles returned to Jesus they brought the crowds with them. Jesus Christ was the central character in the apostles’ kingdom preaching and He was the source of the apostles’ kingdom miracles. When the hungry crowds came to Him, Jesus gave His apostles one more power. He enabled them to miraculously feed the crowd of more than five thousand with “five loaves and two fish”. These first disciples, and truth-seeking disciples in every age, are exhorted here to preach, heal, and care in the name of Jesus Christ because He is the Power of the effective local church.

The effective local church preaches and teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke to the crowd of His kingdom. He showed disciples in every age that our message is to be nothing more or less than the gospel of the kingdom of God… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The effective local church heals in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus healed the sick in the crowd. He promised the same healing power to disciples in every age as a confirmation of His gospel… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe… in my name… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

The effective local church feeds and shelters the needy in the name of Jesus Christ. As Jesus met the food and shelter needs of the crowd, He initiated a regular, ongoing miracle for the local church to imitate. As we tithe and give cheerfully to the ministry of our local church, Jesus blesses and multiplies our gifts to meet the needs of our local fellowship… “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45). And Jesus empowers the generous local church to impact the community beyond our fellowship… “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-12).

As we grow up into Christ He empowers the ministries of our local church because He is…

The Power of the Effective Local Church.

The Power that Perplexes the Heart

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him (Luke 9:7-9).

When the disciples obeyed Jesus and began their preaching and healing ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee the results were immediate. As they faithfully went “through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:6), the power and authority Jesus had bestowed upon them was released and news of their ministry spread quickly. When the reports reached the ears of Herod the tetrarch His heart was perplexed. Serious disciples who imitate these first disciples should expect nothing less than the same gospel-confirming power as we are faithful to obey the command to make disciples of all the nations. The anointing that produced miraculous results in the ministry of the first disciples produces the same results today because it’s source is the very presence of Christ … “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). But earnest disciples should also remember that the power that produces miracles is also the power that perplexes the heart.

The power that perplexes the world is perpetual. It cannot be defeated by anything in the world. The early church was built on the blood of thousands of martyrs who were put to death in an effort to put an end to this radical movement. Herod had beheaded John the Baptist but now learned that he was not the real source of this growing movement. Some say the kind of power experienced in the early church is no longer operative today. But this begs the question, does Jesus love the world any less today? Jesus gave power to the disciples to share the gospel with the whole world, and our commission is not yet fulfilled… “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He promises His power will be available to us as long as we stay close to Him… “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The power that perplexes the world is prophetic. It comes attached to a divine message. There were many traveling rabbis in Jesus’ day, spreading various religious and political messages. But the message preached by the disciples was a heart-penetrating Word from God. The miracles were a physical confirmation of the spiritual power that accompanied God’s Word. Both the miracles and the message caught Herod’s attention and convicted his heart. When we faithfully preach the gospel today we should expect the same physical and spiritual work in the perplexed hearts of our listeners… “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

The power that perplexes the world is provocative. It pricks the heart and either pulls people toward or pushes people away from Jesus Christ. The disciples had been so close to Jesus that His power and authority filled their lives and erupted in their ministry. Every word they spoke and every touch they made was a reflection of the power and presence of Jesus Christ. Herod sensed this this and he was provoked because he thought he had put an end to this troublesome disturbance when he beheaded John. But as the power spread Herod was prompted to find out more about the source. When we are faithful to let our ministry and witness flow out of a close personal walk with Christ, His powerful light will fill us and shine into the lives of others and He will get the kind of glory that provokes hearts… “Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:20-21).

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to expect…

The Power that Perplexes the Heart.

The Power that is More than Enough

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9:1-6).

Great teachers do so much more than simply communicate content to their students. Great teachers are living examples of the philosophy as well as the content they teach. Their goal is to help their students learn to reason correctly so they can become successful life-long learners. Jesus Christ was the penultimate teacher. He infused the hearts and minds of His disciples with truth. He used parables and included living visual aids as He lived and traveled with His disciples. His goal was that His disciples would embrace and apply the never-changing truth He came to reveal… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). True disciples that diligently seek and share Christ’s truth become vivid reflections of their Teacher to the rest of the world… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). This was Jesus’ plan when He sent the twelve closest disciples into the nearby villages to “proclaim the kingdom of God”. He wanted the world to see and the disciples to experience the wonderful way He would accomplish His kingdom-revealing and building work through earnest disciples in every age until He returns. So He gave them everything they would need to depend upon Him for success in the mission, especially the power that is more than enough.

Jesus gives diligent disciples power to do miracles. Giving the twelve power over demons and diseases was a foretaste of the moment when Christ would bestow gospel-confirming power on disciples to preach His gospel in every age and place around the world… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). True disciples trust Christ’s power to deliver and heal as He confirms His gospel.

Jesus gives productive disciples power to preach the gospel. The disciples were not the only traveling preachers and teachers of the day. There were many competing rabbis with their various schools of disciples. But the power and authority of the gospel, when it is preached in it purity, without corruption, is heart and life transforming. The Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to add confirmation to the veracity of the power of the gospel… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). True disciples trust Christ’s power to convict hearts and save souls as they faithfully preach His gospel.

Jesus gives maturing disciples power to grow in faith. The twelve were not to become dependent on anything other than Christ. They would learn to trust that Christ would establish their agenda, direct their course, and lead them to others whom He would prompt to support and encourage them along the way. Taking nothing would force them to pray and trust that Christ would supply their every need. The Apostle Paul learned and declared this encouraging truth in His epistle to the Philippians… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Disciples who trust Him alone to direct and provide for their personal and ministry needs have a growing faith that gives increasing glory to Christ… “The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). True disciples trust Christ’s provision as they diligently share His gospel.

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to trust…

The Power that is More than Enough.