Luke 9 - Introduction

What Do You Think Of Jesus? Luke Nine

Jesus called His twelve disciples and commissioned them to "proclaim the kingdom of God." He also gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases." He told them, "Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece." He wanted them to learn that God would provide for their daily needs. Herod heard about Jesus and "He desired to see Him." He had heard what others were saying about Jesus but He was unsure what to believe about Him. Luke offered many proof that Jesus is the Christ. Here Luke records the great miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with "five loaves and the two fishes." While others were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elias or one of the old prophets who was raised again Peter and the other apostles said He is "The Christ of God."

If Jesus is the Christ as He claims He has the right to demand total self denial. Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer, be rejected and killed, but that He would rise the third day. He wanted it understood that His followers must be willing to suffer for Him. He said, "You must take up your cross each day and follow me." Those who follow Jesus must forget about themselves and give up their lives for Jesus. The greatest waste would be to gain the entire world and then lose your own soul. As additional proof that Jesus is the Son of God He was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elias. That however was not God's desire. He said of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son: hear him."

As Jesus came down from the transfiguration He met a man who had a demon possessed son. The demon did terrible things to the boy. Jesus' apostles had been unable to cast him out. Jesus called them a faithless and perverse generation and asked that the boy be brought to him. Jesus Then healed the boy and gave him back to his father. Jesus again told the disciples that the "Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men." The disciples did not understand that this meant that He would die for the sins of the world. Jesus must have been amazed as the disciples argued about who was the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. He taught them that the most humble servant of God is the greatest in the kingdom. Those who act in the name of the Lord do so by His authority. Jesus said, "He that is not against us is for us." It was necessary for Jesus to rebuke the apostles for their mistaken zeal in wanting to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans. Jesus wanted it understood that our focus must be on Jesus and we must never look back!