Thursday January 23
How to Endure as a Disciple
Luke 9:43-45
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying. 46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."
Yesterday we talked about how Jesus chose ordinary men to do extraordinary things to become world changers! My New Testament reading yesterday in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 highlights this truth! “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
We need to remember that in Luke 9, Jesus is basically giving His disciples some powerful lessons on what it really means to be a faithful, loving, and enduring disciple! It is amazing how even today that so many pastors and church members walk away from following Jesus and serving Him. When they got knocked down, they did not get back up! Something happened that caused them to be disappointed and so discouraged or disillusioned with Christianity or ministry that they quit.
In the first verses of this chapter Jesus gave the twelve power and authority to cast out demons and to heal the sick and lame. He gave them an example of loving and caring for the multitudes by feeding the five thousand men and their families when the disciples were saying, “Send the multitude away”. Jesus gives three of them, Peter, James and John a glimpse of His glory and heaven on the Mount of Transfiguration. But when Jesus came down from the mountain, He found that the nine disciples were powerless to cast a demon out of a little boy.
What causes us to become discourage and want to quit our walk with God? I think the number one reason is that we lose our focus on the cross. That is why in verse 43, when everyone, including the disciples, “were all amazed at the majesty of God and were marveling at what Jesus did”, Jesus reminded His disciples, "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." Jesus knew that we get too focused on the results and blessings of ministry and forget the source and real purpose and message of the cross! Jesus didn’t come to amaze us with His miracles, but He came to die for our sins and the sins of the world!
In verses 46-48, we see that another cause of discouragement in serving the Lord and ministry is that we lack the love we need for one another and for the lost world around us. The disciples did not have much love for each other, or they would not have disputed and argued over who was the greatest. Perhaps this debate started because of envy (three of the disciples had been with Jesus on the mount), or because of pride (the other nine had failed to cast out the demon). Also, just before this, Jesus had paid Peter's temple tax for him (Matt. 17:24-27); and this may have aroused some envy.
Jesus responded to their pride by taking a little child and probably setting him on his lap. Jesus gave the wonderful example that greatness in His kingdom, is like a little child, who is helpless, dependent, without status, living by faith. The only thing worse than a child trying to act like an adult is an adult acting like a child! There is a great difference between being childlike and childish! (see 1 Cor. 13:4-5; 14:20). I like how the Apostle Paul says it in 2 Corinthians 10:12: “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
Today, if we want to “keep on keeping on” by the grace of God, we need to be constantly reminded not to be comparing ourselves with others and becoming envious or jealous but be wise and keep focused on Jesus and His cross and mission!
God bless!
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