Yesterday we talked about how Jesus chose ordinary men to do
extraordinary things to become world changers!
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!
