Waters of Life

Biblical Studies in Multiple Languages

Search in "English":

Home -- English -- Luke -- 063 (The End of Christ's Ministry in the Mountainous Region of Galilee )

This page in: -- Arabic -- ENGLISH -- Indonesian -- Russian

Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson

LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)

17. The End of Christ's Ministry in the Mountainous Region of Galilee (Luke 9:10-50)


LUKE 9:43-45
43 They were all astonished at the majesty of God.But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.” 45 But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

In the three examples explaining the words of Christ about the faithless and perverse generation, Luke shows us that the disciples themselves did not believe. Their thought was opposite to the counsel of God. They were blind and foolish, and did not perceive the way of God. Christ said to them, “Open your ears to my words.” But their minds were closed, and their understanding was not tuned to the Spirit of God. Though they were near to Jesus and chosen, they did not understand the necessity of Christ’s cross, and could not grasp that the Son of God would be condemned by men as the rejected Son of Man. Nevertheless, they recognized the meaning of the term “the Son of Man”. This word is attributed to the eternal Judge, according to the Book of Daniel. Then how could defendants judge their Judge? How did the Almighty allow his mortal creatures and servants to torment him? This great mystery cannot be perceived by any human being today, unless the Holy Spirit helps him and opens his mind, revealing to him Christ’s humility, and uncovering God’s plan of love in his beloved Son.

At that time, the disciples were ignorant, perverse, and uncertain. So what about you? Do you dare to confess before your Lord the renewal of your mind, and ask him to reveal his way and aim for you and your church, or do you remain deaf and foolish to the mention of the Lord’s name?


LUKE 9:46-48
46 There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”

The disciples were not only lacking in knowledge, but were also proud. They thought they were quite something. This is the destructive sin inside churches, that some brothers think themselves more clever, gifted and important than others. However, Christ dislikes this original evil spirit. He set a child among these men, and explained to them that the child, in spite of his youth, was greater than them all. It goes without saying that the child was not specially significant in himself, for he was sinful as others are, but his life became valuable and meaningful because of Christ’s love and response to him. The important thing is not what you are, or what you have, but it is the fact that God loves you, Christ died for you, and his Spirit prompts you to do good. Your value is not within you, but without you. It is in the grace of God.

The placing of this child in the midst of the disciples indicated his need of someone to bring him up. By such a picture, Christ shows us that we are in urgent need of our heavenly Father, and that we cannot live without God. The child’s trust in his earthly father represents the humility of the believer who places his faith in his heavenly Father.

In his love, Christ looked after this forsaken child, and gave him shelter. This word of Christ has provided shelters for thousands of forsaken, for many poor believers sacrificed much to help homeless people. They do not receive any reward for that, but Christ and his Father in holy unity dwell in them, for God loves children, and all those who consider themselves small and needy. Woe to the proud! They are in hell with the devils. What are you aiming at in your life? To be a simple servant in your meetings, or puffed up and proud? A faithful servant is better than the self-conceited who considers himself great.


LUKE 9:49-50
49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”

The disciples are not only foolish and proud like us, but we also are selfish and violent. John who became the messenger of the love of God, was angry when he saw a believer in Christ healing the sick and driving out demons in the name of the Savior, because that man was not of the company of the chosen apostles. John relied on the privilege of his being chosen. He was prepared to discount the work of that believer completely, by forbidding him from making use of the power of the name of Jesus in healing the sick. But Jesus broke the selfishness that was the young disciple's central point of disagreement, and allowed many services in his name outside the centers and organizations he appointed. It is not the capacity of our relation to a certain church that entitles and empowers us to render spiritual services, but our faith in Christ alone. In this way, the Son of God provided us with a great standard for our behavior toward other believers: not to oppose their good deeds. Every brother who works in the name of Christ and lives as a servant to the world, is a true and acceptable brother to Christ, even though is not identified with us. Beware dear brother of depending your views of the law, for the kingdom of God does not end at the door of your church, but works wherever the name of Christ is spoken with love.

PRAYER: O Lord, I confess my foolishness in failing to your ways. I am ashamed of my pride toward others, and regret upholding my own views, as if we were better than other believers. Accept me into your love, humility, and wide insight that I may hear your words, and percieve your mercy. Thank you for every forsaken child who finds shelter in your name for the sake of this blessed word. Amen.

QUESTION 72: What are the three spiritual diseases that Jesus detected in his disciples?

www.Waters-of-Life.net

Page last modified on March 22, 2017, at 11:06 AM | powered by PmWiki (pmwiki-2.3.3)