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.