Luke 9 reminds me of giving a credit card to your child for a specific use. They have access to your purchasing power and could easily conduct unauthorized transactions in your name. Today’s chapter looks at dealing with God. We begin with Jesus preparing to send out the twelve apostles, “He gave them power and authority… sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God”. It is important to note they left empty-handed, “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt”. They were not to rely on their own resources, but live with the people. Not everyone would receive them; “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet”. To be sure there are blessings reserved for believers, but when rejected, they simply moved on “proclaiming the good news and healing people”. “When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done” and the crowds followed. There was still much to learn. At mealtime the disciples said, “Send them away” that they might find something to eat on their own, but Jesus said, “You give them something to eat”. The disciples saw only their meager resources. Jesus took what they had, blessed it, broke it and gave it to be distributed to all the people. “They all ate and were satisfied”. Friend, are your resources too meager?
When Jesus was alone with the disciples, He asked, “Who do the crowds say I am?” Just as today there were mixed beliefs. Then He asked them “Who do you say I am?” Only Peter answered, “God’s Messiah”. But even Pete didn’t understand completely. Jesus fully explained, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected… and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life”. At least some of the disciples wanted to use the credit card, but they did not understand the payment would soon come due. “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me”. The Roman cross was carried by the condemned only once. You cannot earn salvation by self-denial, or good works. Jesus died so that we can live. I believe this instruction is for us to daily follow Christ in His walk of mercy and grace. He does not ever ask us to carry His burden.
Through the rest of the chapter they are able to observe the abundance of Christ. First Peter, John and James witness Jesus as He prayed. “The appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning… Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus”. His divinity was unhidden during His prayer. In the morning when they came down from the mountain, a man begged Jesus to heal his son. He explained that the disciples were not able to help. Jesus chided the “unbelieving and perverse generation”. Healing does not come from repeating religious words, but by trusting in His authority. Jesus “healed the boy and gave him back to his father”; then all were “amazed at the greatness of God”. As the disciples were again arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom, they were interrupted by news of another man healing in Jesus’ name. They were incensed, but Jesus told them, “Do not stop him for whoever is not against you is for you”. We are to conduct all of our transactions knowing that we fully represent Christ. Along the way, many promised they would follow Jesus, but each had other priorities. Jesus taught that the decision to follow Him should only be done after counting the cost to avoid ever looking back longingly at what we left behind. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God”. Did you know that the debt of your sin was paid on the cross? My friend, with a word of faith you too can be adopted into the family with full rights and privileges. Are you ready to represent Him?