Week 2, Day 1
Today’s Reading: Luke 11-12
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
I want to look at two things today, both from chapter 9 from our previous reading. I just have a terrible time narrowing it down to one thing 
First, consider the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration in verses 28-36. Peter, as was his impetuous nature, was quick to come up with a “plan of action” when he saw Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah. He decided that it would be a good idea to build three tabernacles: one for Jesus, one for Elijah and one for Moses. I find it particularly interesting that Luke makes the point that Peter didn’t know what he was saying. We might say he spoke without thinking, or at least without not thinking enough.
Peter here had the best of intentions. After all, these were all great “prophets”, and it would be wonderful for them to be able to show proper respect by building these tabernacles in their honor. But, the problem was that this “idea” was outside of what God had commanded! Peter had decided what needed to be done, and he didn’t wait for instructions from God. Of course, God then showed what He wanted in the matter. He spoke from the cloud, saying of Jesus: This is My beloved Son, hear Him! When the cloud lifted, Jesus was standing there by Himself. The point was that Jesus now had all authority–the Law and the prophets were not to be followed. They were to now follow the instructions given by Jesus. And that is the same thing that we are supposed to do.
This reminds me of the following passage:
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
–Colossians 3:17
Far too many people are like Peter when it comes to religious activities. They decide what they think is good, and they run right in and start doing it. They don’t stop and think about what God wants in the matter. But, we need not be so presumptuous! We need to step back, and hear what God has to say on the matter. Whatever we are going to do must be authorized by God. The only way that we can know what it is that He desires is to listen to what He has to say in His word. He has revealed His mind for us, we just have to open our ears and listen!
The second thing I wanted to take a look at is at the end of chapter 9 (verses 57-62). Here, we see Jesus calling people to discipleship. The first says that he will follow Jesus wherever He would go. Jesus then showed this disciple that the road would not be an easy one. He had no home to return to for comfort, and that would be the least of the challenges that would lie ahead for Him. Progressing, Jesus then called another to follow Him, and he asked to first go and bury his father. Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” The third man addressed asked Jesus if he could go home and say goodbye to his family. Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This section really speaks to commitment in discipleship. When we are called by Christ to be His disciples, there should be nothing that interferes with it. Don’t let family, inconvenience, discomfort or anything else keep you from doing what Christ wants you to do. Often, we think that our situation is different from everyone else. That was the case (it seems) at least with the second man called. Surely, burying his father was an important enough reason to go back. But, Jesus was clear that even this “extreme” situation was not enough to excuse this man from service. This illustrates the need for us to always put Christ, and His cause first in our lives. May we be the true disciples, who do not allow anyone or anything to keep us from our service to Him!
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4 Comments »
Peni said :
January 19, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I was looking at some contrast between 9:51-56 and 10:10-12. In each instance a judgment about Jesus’ reception was made (or to be made) by His disciples. Was judging and denouncing wrong condemned?
In the second example, pronouncing judgment clarified righteousness (and relieved the messenger’s conscience); in the former, beyond recognizing rejection of Jesus, the disciples thought to punish the transgressors. Righteous judgment is our duty! Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Peni said :
January 19, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Point being: There is a difference between shaking dust and calling down a curse.
Laura said :
January 19, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Peni, excellent point – I think that illustration may help in an ongoing conversation I’ve been having with a friend.
One thing that stood out to me was the disciples’ reaction 9:12-17. Their answer in verse 13 shows that they had no idea what Jesus was going to do; they had to be so confused. But that didn’t stop them from listening to Him. Verse 15 says “And they did so.”
Too often we want to understand what’s going on before we obey. Now I like to understand, but there are times when I don’t. I still have to do whatever the Lord has said, whether it makes sense to me or not.
Stephanie said :
January 19, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I have a difficulty sometimes with family, because I so easily let them influence me before I became a christian and if I am not careful now, I sometimes fall back into this and care what they think, when I know what truely matters is what God knows! Staying close to the source,as in reading, praying, meditating and fellowship with the saints will be the only way to get the strength to do God’s will. Thanks so much for these great comments.