From Luke 8-9
Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. Peter answers he is the promised Christ. Then Jesus explains he will suffer, die and rise again. In doing this He sets the example for how his followers are to live. Jesus instructs his followers to deny themselves and pick up their cross. Are you willing?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In the last chapter or so Jesus has calmed a storm (Lk 8.22-25), healed a man with a demon (Lk 8.26-39), healed another woman and raised a girl from the dead (Lk 8.40-56), and lastly miraculously feed five thousand people (Lk 9.10-17). All these wonderful things speak volumes about who he is. After doing them He could use a time to recharge so he finds a place to pray.
18 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?”
19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”
20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (Lk 9.18-20)
‘He was praying alone‘. Jesus has a lot to pray about. The level of intimacy he has with the Father is amazing.
‘The disciples were with him‘. It would have been a humbling time to see Jesus in prayer with his father. Perhaps overhear some of his words.
After all the disciples had seen Jesus do recently, Jesus asks them a question about who people say he is.
‘Who do the crowds say that I am?‘. It’s a strange question, it assumes the disciples know what the crowds are thinking and Jesus does not. Possibly the crowds feel more comfortable sharing with the disciples questions about Jesus. Or maybe the disciples are able to overhear many conversations where Jesus cannot. The disciples answer with a variety of people, most from the Old Testament. All prophets.
Who do you say Jesus is? What does he mean to you?
‘The Christ of God‘. Jesus presses in further with his real intention in asking the question. Peter answers, ‘the Christ of God’. The promised messiah. The one who would restore the kingdom.
21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 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.” (Lk 9.21-22)
‘Tell this to no one’. Peter has confessed that Jesus is the promised Christ. In response Jesus commands him and the other disciples to keep it quiet. Why? The context suggests Jesus wants them to wait until his death and resurrection before declaring him the Christ (Lk 24.44-48).
‘The Son of Man’. Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man. He could be describing his humanity or identifying himself as the figurehead representing the saints of the Most High God (Dan 7.13-14; cf. 7.18,22).
‘Must suffer’ and ‘be killed’. Dreadful news for the disciples. Jesus is keenly aware of what will happen to him. In going through with it he reveals his commitment to God’s promises and the salvation of mankind.
‘Third day be raised’. Jesus also sees the light at the end of the tunnel. After he dies he will be raised to new life on the third day. In allowing himself to be killed he entrusts himself to his Father. Such amazing faith.
How would you have responded to the news?
Jesus is on his way to certain death. So he shares with his disciples what is required to follow him.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
26 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. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9.23-27)
In first century Israel, crucifixion was a painful death inflicted on political criminals. Jesus knows he is going to be crucified. Jesus will soon carry his own cross.
Jesus instructs his followers to carry their own cross. To lose their life for his sake.
What Jesus instructs is difficult teaching. People normally want to save their lives. To live. What he asks is counter intuitive, but losing their life for Jesus will result in their own salvation.
Jesus promises after he has died and rose again he will come again. When he does he will come with in supernatural power. Those who have been ashamed of him and rejected his word will be shamed in return by Jesus.
Jesus tells them the kingdom of God is coming soon.
About Jesus
Following Jesus does not happen automatically. Many think Christianity is all about an easy pain free ticket to heaven.
In today’s passage Jesus makes it clear just how demanding following him is. It requires a complete orientation of ones life.
At times it will be really hard work, crosses aren’t easy to lift and we have to carry our crosses daily. Jesus says to carry a cross one must deny him or herself. He set the example by doing it before us.
Are you willing to carry your own cross and follow Jesus?
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
