Introduction

‘When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.’ Luke 9:1-6

Jesus Sends Out The Twelve

In this section, Jesus sent His twelve apostles out in pairs on a preaching tour. This marked the fourth stage in their career. Earlier, they had heard Jesus, been called by Him, and been chosen as apostles. Here they were sent out as His representatives to proclaim the message of repentance, Mark 6:12 / Luke 9:2.

This was one of many preaching trips that Jesus commissioned the twelve to do, Matthew 10:1-15 / Luke 9:1-6. They were given the power to heal as well as to cast out impure spirits, Matthew 10:1 / Mark 6:7 / Luke 9:1. Jesus gives the twelve the authority to work miracles in the lives of anyone they met, Matthew 10:1 / Mark 6:13.

Notice that they received this power before the events of Acts 2, when they were baptised with the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:1-5. What Jesus is doing here is giving them this power in order that their preaching could be confirmed as true, John 20:30-31 / Mark 16:20.

The purpose of the trips was to accomplish the mission of teaching as many people as possible before the event of the cross and resurrection in Jerusalem, Luke 9:1.

The teaching prepared the minds of the people to accept Jesus’ kingship that would later be proclaimed by the disciples on and after the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

The preaching trips also prepared the disciples to face rejection by those to whom they went. Jesus had commissioned them to preach what would be ‘new wine.’ They were going to people of ‘old wineskins,’ Matthew 9:17 / Mark 2:22 / Luke 5:37.

Jesus often sent His disciples out alone, Mark 6:7 / Luke 9:2, but during this trip they to go out in twos. Sending out six pairs of preachers both facilitated the spread of Jesus’ message and gave the apostles valuable practical experience, Mark 6:7.

Notice they weren’t to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, Matthew 10:5 / Matthew 15:24 / John 4:9, they are instructed to go only to Jewish towns and villages, Luke 9:6.

It wasn’t until after Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles in Acts 2, that they are instructed to go into all the world, Matthew 28:19 / Mark 16:15.

The preaching trips gave them an opportunity to face the rejection of a misguided religious world into which they would go after Acts 2. While Jesus was still with them, they could return for His counsel concerning problems they encountered on their preaching trips, Mark 6:12-13 / Matthew 11:1.

The message they were given to proclaim, ‘the kingdom of heaven has come near’, Matthew 10:7 / Matthew 3:2 / Matthew 4:17 / Mark 9:1 / Luke 10:9. The words, ‘Come near’ means it’s about to be established. As we know, Jesus isn’t speaking about an earthly kingdom but a spiritual kingdom.

Through His preaching and the preaching of the twelve, Jesus was preparing Israel for His kingdom reign from heaven that would be the fulfilment of prophecy, Daniel 2:44 / Daniel 7:13-14.

The mission was urgent, so Jesus forbade them to take extra provisions, Matthew 10:9-10 / Mark 6:8-9 / Luke 9:3. This restriction wasn’t intended to be permanent, Luke 22:35-36, but was appropriate for this brief mission, Mark 6:30.

Notice also that they were to take no extra possessions that would burden their trip, they were to take only the clothes they wore and no staff, Matthew 10:9-10 / Mark 6:8-9 / Luke 9:3. Wait a minute, Mark 6:8 says, ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.’

Is this a contradiction? Were they to take a staff or not?

Matthew and Luke seem to agree that Jesus prohibited the disciples from taking a staff on their journeys, while Mark appears to give them permission to take one.

Furthermore, although Luke doesn’t record Jesus’ command regarding sandals, some have concluded that Matthew and Mark also contradict each other on this point.

The differences between Matthew and Mark are explained easily when we understand that the writers used different Greek verbs to express different meanings. In Matthew, the word ‘provide’, NKJV, the root Greek word comes from ‘ktaomai’, means to ‘procure for oneself, acquire, get’.

Based upon these definitions, the NASV used the English verb ‘acquire’ in Matthew 10:9. ‘Do not acquire’, instead of ‘provide’ or ‘take.’

In Matthew, Jesus is saying, ‘Do not acquire anything in addition to what you already have that may tempt you or stand in your way. Just go as you are.’ As Mark indicated, the apostles were to ‘take’, ‘airo’ what they had, and go, Mark 6:8-9.

The apostles weren’t to waste precious time gathering supplies, extra apparel, staffs, shoes, etc, or making preparations for their trip, but instead were instructed to trust in God’s providence for additional needs. Jesus didn’t mean for the apostles to discard the staffs and sandals they already had, rather, they weren’t to go and acquire more.

It’s obvious from a comparison of the verses in Matthew and Luke, that they are recording the same truth, that the apostles weren’t to spend valuable time gathering extra staffs, only they are using different words to do so.

‘Provide ‘ktaomi’ neither gold nor silver, nor staffs, Matthew 10:9-10

‘Take ‘airo’ nothing for the journey, neither staffs,’ Luke 9:3

Luke didn’t use ‘ktaomi’ in his account because he nearly always used ‘ktaomi’ in a different sense than Matthew did. In Matthew’s account, the word ‘ktaomai’ is used to mean ‘provide’ or ‘acquire,’ whereas in the Books of Luke and Acts, Luke used this word to mean ‘purchase, buy, or earn.’

The point is simply this, Jesus wanted them to go as quickly as possible to proclaim the message that the Messiah had arrived but at the same time, they needed to learn to trust God to take care of their everyday needs, Matthew 6:11 / Matthew 6:25-34.

Please note the word, ‘worry’, ‘merimnao’, in Matthew 6:11 and Matthew 6:25-34, comes from the Greek root word, ‘merimna’ which means ‘distraction’, in other words, don’t let your everyday needs distract you from putting God first.

Jesus tells the twelve, ‘freely you have received, freely give’ Matthew 10:8. This should be one of the basic principles of Christian living. In the context of Matthew 10:1-16, Jesus was referring to they’re freely receiving the power to heal the sick. In other words, they weren’t to heal for money, they were to use the free gift of healing in a generous manner.

Remember after they received power from the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4, they would remember this principle. And so, they would freely impart the ‘miraculous gifts’ to all by the ‘laying on of their hands’, Acts 8:18.

The miraculous gifts don’t exist today because no apostles exist to ‘lay their hands’ on us, but we do recognise that God has freely given His grace, therefore we should freely proclaim it to others.

Jesus tells the twelve, ‘the worker is worth his keep,’ Matthew 10:9-11. In other words, those who minister spiritual things are worthy of physical things.

Hence why it’s Biblical to pay a ‘full-time’ evangelist. This has always been a principle among God’s people, Luke 10:7 / 1 Corinthians 9 / Galatians 6:6 / 1 Timothy 5:17-18.

Why would Jesus tell them to stay in one house? Luke 9:4.

They weren’t to live from house to house in the towns and cities because this may have been interpreted as them searching for material blessings. Also, when we think about it today, if we go somewhere on a trip, we don’t book several places to stay, we book one place and use that place as a base.

If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages, Luke 10:5-8. Do not move around from house to house.

Notice they were to greet the owner of that household, not the house itself, Matthew 10:12-13 / Luke 10:5–9. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them, if not, it will return to you.

Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. The idea behind the greeting and saying peace was based on the thought that the household that received the messengers were in agreement with and wanted to fellowship the message of the messengers.

What does shaking the dust from your feet mean? Matthew 10:14 / Mark 6:11 / Luke 9:5.

This was a Jewish custom that demonstrated to the inhospitable their lack of hospitality and acceptance of the messenger and his message, Nehemiah 5:13 / Luke 10:10-11 / Acts 13:49-51.

Jesus is saying that those who would receive the messengers of Jesus were receiving Jesus, Matthew 12:41 / John 15:18-27. If they didn’t receive Jesus and what He taught, they would be rejected in the judgment of God.

Why were the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah less inexcusable than the sins of cities and villages that rejected the apostles? Matthew 10:15.

Simply because they sinned in ignorance, whereas the cities of Jesus’ day sinned against the light, the Messiah, they should have known better. You can read all about Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 and Jude 7.

There going out was going to be dangerous, they were going out among the wolves, Matthew 10:16. The brutal and vicious dangers to which the apostles would be exposed weren’t concealed by the Lord. Their mission was dangerous and filled with countless perils. The words ‘sheep in the midst of wolves’ are very appropriate and expressive.

Ask any farmer, what would a wolf do to his flock? One wolf in a flock of sheep is a source of incredible slaughter and destruction. And so, in venturing into the dangers of their journey, the disciples must maintain their innocence in an environment of evil. In order to do such, they must exercise great wisdom on their journey, Philippians 2:14-16.

What does ‘shrewd as snakes’ mean? Matthew 10:16.

It simply means the disciples are to exercise great wisdom in their work for the Master, the serpent was symbolic of carefulness, craftiness, and wisdom. The serpent was considered a symbol of wisdom among the ancients, especially the python.

The girl at Philippi who followed Paul and Silas was said to have had a ‘spirit which could predict the future’, Acts 16:16, but the Greek word denotes that she had a python! Genesis declares that ‘the serpent was more shrewd’, Genesis 3:1 / 2 Corinthians 12:16 / Ephesians 5:15 / Colossians 4:5.

What does ‘innocent as doves’ mean? Matthew 10:16.

The dove was symbolic of peace, innocence, and purity. The dove as a symbol of harmlessness and innocence derived significance from Noah’s use of it as a messenger in the ark, Genesis 8.

We also see the significance of this when the Spirit descended upon Jesus, signifying the start of His ministry, Matthew 3:16.

‘Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.’ Luke 9:7-9

At this time in Jesus’ ministry, people were trying to determine who He was, Matthew 14:1-12. Because of the miracles, they knew that He was more than a good teacher of Israel, John 3:2.

Perhaps because of the additional groups of preachers being sent out, Herod, the governor, heard about Jesus, Matthew 14:1. This was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, Mark 8:15 / Luke 3:1 / Luke 3:19 / Luke 8:3 / Luke 13:31 / Acts 4:27 / Acts 12:1.

They had at this time speculated that He might be the resurrected Elijah, or the Prophet who was to come in Israel as the Deliverer. They possibly believed that He would be like one of the other Old Testament prophets, Matthew 14:2 / Mark 6:14-16 / Luke 9:7-8 / Matthew 16:13-14.

Herod’s conscience may have been bothering him because he had killed John, Matthew 14:3 / Mark 6:17 / Luke 9:9. He thought Jesus might be John the Baptist raised from the dead, Matthew 14:1 / Mark 6:14 / Luke 3:19.

Herod at least concluded one thing that was right. If John had been raised from the dead, then the power of the supernatural was at work in the resurrected John.

The supernatural was at work, Matthew 14:2 / Mark 6:14, but it wasn’t at work through a resurrected John. It was at work through the One about whom John prophesied and the One in whom all the world must believe, Matthew 3:1-11 / Luke 3:2-16.

Herod feared that if he acted against John, then something dreadful would happen to him, Matthew 14:5. To some extent, therefore, Herod accepted John as a just and holy man of God, Mark 6:20. It seems that his acceptance of John was greater than the self-righteous religious leaders of Jerusalem.

Nevertheless, Herod’s pride to maintain face among his peers moved him to overcome his fear and carry out a rash promise he had made in response to the lustful dance of Herodias’ daughter, Matthew 14:6-11 / Mark 6:21-28.

John’s physical death thus manifested Herod’s spiritual death because he loved his position in this world more than the power of God.

Herod had killed John because John had been preaching against his marriage telling him that it wasn’t right for him to have Herodias, who had been his brother’s wife, Matthew 14:3-4 / Mark 6:17-19.

According to Old Testament law, it was unlawful for Herod to be married to Herodias, Leviticus 18:14-16 / Leviticus 20:21 / Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

As a result, he imprisoned John but didn’t wish to kill him, Herodias did, Mark 6:17-22 / Luke 3:19. Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great. She divorced Philip in order to marry Herod Antipas.

One day, he had a birthday party with many important guests and his stepdaughter provided ‘live entertainment,’ Matthew 14:6 / Mark 6:21. Because of her provocative dance, Herod rashly vowed to give her anything she asked, up to half of his kingdom, Matthew 14:6-7 / Mark 6:22-23.

Upon receiving instructions from her mother, the girl requested that John’s head be served to her on a platter, Matthew 14:8 / Mark 6:24-25.

Herod hated to do it, Mark 6:22, but he didn’t want to lose face in front of his dinner guests, so he obliged the girl’s request and John was murdered, Matthew 14:9-11 / Mark 6:26-28.

The disciples went for John’s body and buried him in a tomb and then told Jesus about it, Matthew 14:12 / Mark 6:29-30. Jesus was obviously deeply moved as He went away by boat privately to a solitary place, Matthew 14:13.

Sins that beheaded John the Baptist

John was a righteous preacher who was murdered because of several sins.

1. An unlawful marriage.

2. Resentment and bitterness on the part of Herodias.

3. A lustful dance.

4. A rash promise.

5. Herod’s lack of courage in not breaking the sinful vow.

Actions that produced such bitter fruit should be carefully avoided by Christians today.

1. Despite the frequency of divorce and remarriage in our society, Christians must not act against the Lord’s instructions, Mark 10:2-10 / Matthew 19:9.

2. All disciples must rid their lives of resentment and bitterness because they build up and lead to hatred, harsh words and revengeful actions, Ephesians 4:26 / Ephesians 4:31-34 / Hebrews 12:15.

3. Lustful behaviour provokes every form of sexual sin in our society. Followers of Christ should avoid activities that encourage sensual feelings, Job 31:1 / Matthew 5:28 / Romans 13:14.

4. No one should make any promise without careful thought, Leviticus 5:4 / Matthew 5:33-37 / James 5:12.

5. All should have the courage to do what is right regardless of the presence of others, Galatians 6:9 / Colossians 3:17 / 1 Peter 3:14.

Jesus Feeds The Five Thousand

‘When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.’ Luke 9:10-17

The feeing of the five thousand is the fourth sign recorded by John and it is recorded in all four Gospels, Matthew 14:13-15 / Mark 6:32-44 / Luke 9:10-17 / John 6:1-15.

There are only two miracles of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels, the feeding of the 5000 and His resurrection, Matthew 28:1-10 / Mark 16:1-15 / Luke 24:1-12 / John 20:1-20.

We don’t know the time that transpired between the sending of the twelve in Mark 6:12 / Luke 9:1, and their reporting back to Jesus, Mark 6:29 / Luke 9:10. It seems the disciples came to tell Jesus all that had happened to John, Matthew 14:1-12 / Mark 6:14-30.

When the disciples returned from their preaching trip, Jesus sought to leave the multitude in order to spend time with them privately. They had been so busy they hadn’t even had time for meals, Mark 6:31.

A large crowd had followed Jesus because of the signs He performed by healing the sick, Matthew 14:13-14 / Mark 6:33-34 / John 6:1-2.

Mark lists at least eleven instances when Jesus went to a place of rest. This is a good example for any evangelist who has given himself to periods of intensive evangelistic efforts.

Because these worthy evangelists worked hard, they needed the rest. They needed time to talk among themselves and with God about the great things God had done through them. This was a retreat for prayer, thanksgiving and discussion.

Everyone needs some time out from our busy life schedule and Jesus knew that the disciples needed some time out, for many of them had first believed because of John’s preaching. They withdrew across the sea of Galilee to a quiet place for meditation and prayer, Matthew 14:13 / Mark 6:31.

As the Passover was near, John 6:4, it must have been spring. This was one of the three major feasts that the Jews were obliged to attend. It seems that Jesus is now at the height of His popularity. Soon, after this bread of life discourse, many of His followers were to turn back, John 6:66.

The people saw that Jesus entered a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Matthew 14:13-21. When Jesus arrived at the other side, the multitudes had already arrived there on foot.

Therefore, when He saw their zeal to follow Him, He was moved with compassion, Matthew 14:14 / Mark 6:34. They were a nation of people who hadn’t been spiritually led for years, and thus, they sought someone to give them guidance. They flocked to the godliness of John.

Now they were coming to Jesus. They were looking for spiritual leadership. This was the leadership that the religious leaders of the day weren’t giving. It was in the context of their searching for someone to lead them that Jesus worked this miracle of creation.

We see Jesus’ love and understanding of people, He wasn’t only a leader but a leader with compassion for the multitudes. On this occasion, His healing of the sick and the feeding the multitudes was motivated by His compassion, Matthew 15:32 / Matthew 20:34 / Mark 6:34.

The disciples want to send the people away, Matthew 14:15 / Mark 6:36 / Luke 9:12, but Jesus had other plans. Notice how Jesus allowed them time to search for food to feed the people, Matthew 14:16. The disciples suggested that someone go into the city and buy food, Mark 6:36.

Jesus asked Philip where they were going to get food in order to feed so many people, but the question was really a test of Philip’s faith, John 6:5-6.

Jesus tests Philip, John 6:5-6, this again is particularly relevant if the apostles have been outperforming miracles, healing, preaching etc. He already knew what was to happen, but it was appropriate for His plans to test, ‘peirazo’, Philip at this time to see if he understands that his Lord can supply every need and handle every situation.

Philip fails the test miserably as he looks only to himself and the common purse for a solution, John 6:7. He ignores the role Jesus could play by employing His power and fails to understand, John 14:8.

Among the disciples, or among the multitude, they came up with only five loaves of bread and two fish, Matthew 14:17 / Luke 9:13-14.

200 denarii equal around 4 quarts of barley, 1600 quarts of wheat which was the purchasing power of the day, an awful lot of money, Mark 6:37 / John 6:7. One denarius was a working man’s wage for the day and so this equalled 8 months’ wages.

In John 6:8-9, we see Andrew attempting to get something organised and he finds a ‘paidarion,’ a little boy with some food and presents this to Jesus.

He passes the test where Philip failed, and he gives Jesus the chance to perform a miracle, he uses a little initiative and gets the job done. Jesus asked the question in order to stimulate a faith response from Philip and the others.

The loaves, Mathew 14:17 / Mark 6:38 / Luke 9:13 / John 6:9, would have been small, almost like rolls, ‘artos’, round flat cakes made with wheat flour, or black barley bread, it was the common daily bread of the people. The fish were probably dried or pickled as was the norm at the time.

Mark reports that the people sat down on the green grass and the number given is 5000 men, Mark 6:44, as does, Luke 9:14. Matthew 14:21 says ‘5000 plus women and children’.

This could have been the total number present, or another 5000 women, and it’s possible children could have been there. The total present was immaterial, if Jesus could feed 5000, He could just as easily feed 10,000, Psalm 23:1-2.

Luke’s accounts tell us that Jesus split the people into groups of fifty, Luke 9:14. Mark tells us they were split into groups of one hundred and groups of fifty, Mark 6:40.

Jesus always gave thanks before eating. Some Bibles say, ‘blessing’ but this wasn’t blessing the crowd, but thanks to God for the bread, Matthew 14:19 / Mark 6:41 / Luke 9:16 / John 6:11.

In other words, Jesus thanked the Father for the food. This is what He did for the bread and the wine when He instituted the Lord’s Supper, He didn’t bless the bread and the wine, He thanked God for providing it, Matthew 26:26-27 / Mark 14:22-23 / Luke 22:19-20. Jesus left a good example for the disciples in the years to come to do likewise concerning the blessing of food, 1 Timothy 4:4-5.

‘Blessed The Bread!’

Imagine you’re sitting around the dinner table preparing to enjoy a sumptuous meal and someone is asked to ‘bless the food’ before you eat. The person praying says something like this, ‘Heavenly Father, ‘bless this food’ to the nourishment of our bodies, may it strengthen us to do your work, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.’

I’m sure we’ve all heard this prayer at some point in our lives, maybe you’ve even prayed something similar before you ate your food. I was speaking with a brother just recently and asked him why he blessed ‘the food’ before eating? Jokingly he said, the food might be poisoned, and we need God to make it safe to eat!

Now he may have been joking but there’s some truth in what he said. Some Christians sadly believe, although they won’t openly say it, that they can’t or won’t eat any food unless God has somehow miraculously made it safe to eat first.

It’s as though there’s something wrong with the food in the first place and so by blessing the food before eating, it somehow becomes ‘kosher’ enough to eat. I can understand this kind of thinking, especially when you’re about to eat some food from certain fast food outlets, ‘Dear God, this food doesn’t look or smell great, so please bless it and make it edible for me to eat!’

Where Does Our Food Come From? When we ask the question, where does our food come from? you may be forgiven for saying the local supermarket or the local farmers.

As Christians we know this isn’t true, they are simply the suppliers of the food but it’s God Himself who is the real provider of food, Genesis 1:29-30 / Genesis 9:3 / Psalm 104:14.

Since it’s God who is the ultimate provider, He’s the one who provides the sun and the rain for our food to grow, it’s Him we should be thanking for our food.

James tells us that ‘every good and perfect gift is from above’, James 1:17, this would include our food. And when we pray, ‘Give us our daily bread’, Matthew 6:11, we’re acknowledging that our food is an answer to our prayers for that food.

The problem with ‘blessing the food’ is that it doesn’t acknowledge where the real source of the food comes from. When we pray before eating, should we bless the food or give thanks to God for proving that food?

Paul taught that believers should receive their food with thanksgiving when he spoke of ‘Certain foods, which GOD CREATED to be received with THANKSGIVING by those who believe and who know the truth,’ 1 Timothy 4:3.

Giving Thanks For The Food

Before miraculously multiplying the loaves and fishes and providing a meal for the 5000, Jesus asked the Father’s blessing upon the food. Notice He didn’t bless the food, but blessed God or thanked God for providing it, Matthew 14:19 / Mark 6:41 / Luke 9:16 / John 6:11.

Before miraculously multiplying the loaves and fishes and providing a meal for the 4000, Jesus asked the Father’s blessing upon the food. Notice again, He didn’t bless the food, but blessed God or thanked God for providing it, Matthew 15:36 / Mark 8:7.

Later in the Book of Acts, we read about the Apostle Paul, publicly and in the presence of many people, some of which were probably not Christians thanked God for the food before eating. Notice again Paul didn’t bless the actual food, He thanked God for it, Acts 27:35.

Before And After A Meal

Let me share with you another interesting thought concerning giving thanks to God for our food. In the Old Testament, we see that God’s people not only gave thanks BEFORE they ate the food God provided for them, but they also gave thanks to God for the food AFTER they had eaten it, Deuteronomy 8:7-10.

Remember we’re to thank God or bless God for the food and that’s because we acknowledge that the food itself is already a blessing. Now notice verse 10, which tells us that God’s people were to praise or bless God AFTER they had eaten.

I think it’s right that we give thanks to God BEFORE we eat, but maybe it wouldn’t be a bad practice to give thanks to God AFTER we’ve eaten.

The Lord’s Supper

So here we are gathered together on the Lord’s Day as a church to remember the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection at ‘The Lord’s Supper’. The presiding brother says a few words and shares a few thoughts to help us focus on Christ’s death, burial and resurrection and then the prayers come.

The prayer for the bread usually goes something like this, ‘Dear God, as we’re about to partake of this bread, which represents your Son’s body, please bless it to us as we partake of it.’

Then follows the prayer for the wine, which usually goes something like this, ‘Dear God, as we’re about to partake of this wine, which represents your Son’s blood, please bless it to us as we partake of it.’

If you’ve been attending worship for a few years and participating in the Lord’s Supper, the chances are you’ve probably heard these prayers or something similar many times in your Christian life. Maybe you’ve prayed something similar yourself if you were presiding over the Supper.

I’m sure you’ve noticed the link between asking God to ‘bless the food’ before eating the food and asking God to bless ‘the bread and the wine’ before partaking of it.

The Catholic church believes the Eucharist, the bread and the wine, actually becomes the body and blood of Christ, this is called ‘Transubstantiation’.

Now, I know most Christians don’t believe in that teaching, but again, we ask the question, why would anyone want God to bless the bread and the wine? Is there something wrong with the bread and the wine? Do they really believe that something miraculous is going to happen when they ask God to bless them both?

Notice what Jesus actually did when He instituted His Supper and notice especially, He never once blessed the actual bread and wine, Matthew 26:26-27 / Mark 14:22 / Luke 22:19-20 / Luke 24:30 / 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.

Like I mentioned earlier, you will notice what Jesus actually did, He ‘Gave Thanks’, for the bread and wine, He never blessed the actual bread and wine.

Who did He give thanks to? Obviously, it was the Father, for providing the bread and the wine. He gave thanks to the Father or blessed the father, the word ‘bless’ is another way of expressing thanks to God.

The Jews, even to this day still declare with the entrance of the Sabbath on Friday evenings as members sip wine from a cup, ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, Our God, King of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine.’

Another blessing as members break bread is, ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, Our God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the earth.’ Notice again, that in these ‘blessings’, God the Creator is being thanked for giving food, not the bread and wine.

These would probably have been similar to the prayers that Jesus would have uttered during His ‘Last Passover Supper.’ Luke 22:17-18. What About Matthew 26:26?

When we read the King James Version, at first glance, it reads as Jesus ‘blessed it’ i.e. ‘blessed the bread’, however when you read a Greek lexicon, you’ll discover that the word ‘IT’ isn’t in the original text.

It reads as follows, ‘(as) they were eating moreover of them, having taken Jesus bread and having blessed, broke and having given to the disciples, he said eat: this is the body of me,’ Matthew 26:26.

The word ‘IT’ is kind of misleading in the KJV and so we always have to remember that the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, if any text appears to say the opposite of all the other related texts, it’s usually because the translators haven’t done a good job of translating it.

When Christians pray, I believe it’s good practice to think about what we’re actually saying in our prayers, especially when it comes to giving thanks to God for our food or giving thanks to God for providing the bread and the wine at the Supper.

Our children and any visitors often learn how to pray by listening to others and all too often they will simply repeat what they have heard time and time again until they are mature enough to share their own thoughts.

Here we are, getting ready to enjoy a sumptuous meal and someone asks you to ‘bless the food’, why not simply say, ‘the food is already a blessing from God, and so, if you don’t mind, I’ll give thanks to Him for providing it.’

Here we are gathered together on the Lord’s Day to participate in the Lord’s Supper, someone asked you to bless the bread and the wine, why not simply say, ‘the bread and the wine are already a blessing from God, and so, if you don’t mind, I’ll give thanks to Him for providing them.’

Why twelve baskets?

There are so many ideas out there about the significance of the 12 baskets, Matthew 14:20 / Mark 6:43 / Luke 9:17 / John 6:13. The number 12 is such a common recurring number throughout the Scriptures.

The number 12 is mentioned 48 times and the word twelve is mentioned 133 times. Jacob had 12 sons which became the 12 tribes of Israel, Abraham’s son Ishmael had 12 sons and Jesus had 12 Apostles.

There’s always a danger of reading a text and making it mean something which it wasn’t meant to mean, I personally believe that the 12 baskets of food were left so that each one of those disciples who participated could take one.

This miracle was unique, Jesus asked them to take up the leftovers in order to impress on the minds of the disciples that this was a miracle of creation.

They knew how much bread and fish they started with and how much was left over and the only conclusion they could come to was that bread and fish had been created by God who was in their midst.

Later in His ministry when He wanted to confirm who He was in the minds of the disciples, Jesus asked them to recall this miracle and the second feeding of four thousand in Matthew 15:32-38, where Jesus discussed the ‘bread of life,’ which discussion resulted from this miracle, Matthew 16:8-19 / John 6:27-59.

In John 6:14-15 we see this was a visible sign because all present saw it and benefited from it. There were two results, first, they wanted to make Jesus king by force and second, they deduce that Jesus must be the prophet that was foretold, the prophet mentioned is a reference to the one predicted in Deuteronomy 18:18 / John 1:21.

The people have obviously wanted a political Messiah, and now here is one who can feed them without any effort on their part, He could provide a physical utopia for them. The Jews wanted a political and military leader like David, who would re-establish David’s throne and the physical kingdom of Israel.

Jesus wasn’t the kind of king they wanted Him to be. This was the high time in His popularity and from this time on they begin to leave in disappointment, as He wasn’t what they expected, and also, they are disturbed by his teaching, John 6:60-66.

Jesus withdrew alone for a time of reflection, John 6:15 / Matthew 14:25. He wanted the people to receive Him after a sincere, well thought out decision but He didn’t want them to take Him in the emotional state they were now in.

Christ is the king of individual hearts by faith and obedience, true and sincere, not by force which is no example of kingship. Jesus is looking for unconditional surrender of the heart, Proverbs 3:5-6 / Luke 9:23 / Romans 12:1-2.

This multitude of seekers came looking for one who would lead them. They found the Chief Shepherd and the Son of God who would lead them to victory through the cross.

The proof of the miracle was magnified in the baskets of leftovers they took up. The power of the One who was in their midst was measured by the leftovers. He was truly the Son of God who had the power of creation, John 1:1-2.

Jesus set the stage for the miracle to prove His power over the physical laws of nature. He sent the disciples on by themselves by boat on the sea, knowing that a storm would develop that would engulf them, Matthew 14:22-23.

Peter Declares That Jesus Is The Messiah

‘Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” Luke 9:18-20

Caesarea Philippi

Situated twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee and at the base of Mount Hermon, Caesarea Philippi is the location of one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River, Matthew 16:13 / Mark 8:27.

This abundant water supply has made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship. Numerous temples were built in this city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Known as Baal Hermon and Baal Gad in the Old Testament period, this site later was named Panias after the Greek god Pan who was worshipped here.

There is no record of Jesus entering the city, but the great confession and the transfiguration both occurred in the vicinity of the city, Matthew 17:1-8 / Mark 9:2-8 / Luke 9:28-36, then known as Caesarea Philippi.

But it was no accident that Jesus took His disciples to a place called Caesarea Philippi. Jesus deliberately chooses to take them to Caesarea Philippi, because He knew he would get that much-needed, quality time alone with His disciples.

But Jesus took them to Caesarea Philippi for another reason. When you went up the hills of Caesarea Philippi, there was not only beautiful views, but there were the ancient Syrian temples which were used to worship Baal.

But not only were the Syrian gods worshiped there, but there was also a cavern nearby that was said to have been the birthplace of the Greek god Pan, the god of nature.

But that’s not all that Jesus and the disciples could see up on the hills. Another huge temple would have stood there in Jesus’ day, built out of white marble by Herod the Great and dedicated to the worship of Augustus Caesar.

In other words, Caesarea Philippi was like a one stop shopping supermarket for religion. It was a cross-section of the religious claims of Jesus’ day.

Jesus stood in this place which was literally crowded with temples dedicated to the worship of Syrian, Greek, and Roman gods and He asked His disciples, who they believed Him to be.

I believe Jesus deliberately set Himself against the background of the world’s religions in all their history and splendour and demanded to be compared with them and to have the verdict given in His favour.

In other words, with this setting as a backdrop, Jesus forced His disciples to wrestle with vital questions like, “Who is the real God?” “Who is worthy of adoration and worship?”

I can imagine Jesus saying, ‘Listen, look around at the magnificence of all these temples, to all these ‘gods’ and then look at Me. Who is right? Who is the truth, Me or the ‘gods’ of one of these temples? Do you see the importance of this moment?

Coming here helped force the disciples to deal with this issue, an issue they needed to deal with. All the things Jesus had said and done over the past two ½ years had been in preparation for this moment.

We could say that this question Jesus posed at Caesarea Philippi was in effect, the disciples’ final exam, an exam that consisted of only one question, ‘who do you say I am?’ which we will get to in a moment.

Jesus asked what the public thought about Him, Matthew 16:13 / Mark 8:27 / Luke 9:1, but He’s not asking this question because He doesn’t know the answer. Jesus knew the answer to this question, He knew what people were saying about Him.

But He wanted the twelve to think carefully about those popular perceptions as a way of building a foundation for their own conclusions.

When Jesus asked this first question, He didn’t ask it to find out how He stood in the public opinion polls. No, it was a probing question designed to determine the extent to which His students had discovered the true nature of His ministry and His message.

I believe there would have been a moment of pause, when Jesus asked them, ‘who do the people say I am?’ Matthew 16:13 / Mark 8:27 / Luke 9:1. I can imagine the disciples thinking to themselves, ‘we’ll we all know what the people are thinking and it’s not all good.’

Remember Jesus had been called a wine-drunkard, a glutton, a blasphemer, a false prophet and even a mad man working for the devil. So, I can imagine them thinking very carefully before they answer this question.

The disciples didn’t share any of these negative reviews with Jesus and so they exercised some sensitivity and only told Him the compliments which people were paying Him.

The disciples reported varying opinions, including John the Baptist, Elijah, etc, Matthew 16:14 / Mark 8:28 / Luke 9:19. One disciple pointed out that many believed Jesus was John the Baptist reincarnated, Matthew 16:14 / Mark 8:27-30 / Luke 9:19.

They believed that John had come back from the grave to continue his ministry of announcing the Messiah while criticising the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 14:1-3.

Another disciple shared the fact that many people believed Jesus was Elijah, Mark 8:28 / Matthew 16:14 / Luke 9:18, considered by some Jews to be the supreme Old Testament prophet, Matthew 17:10 / 2 Kings 1:1-12 / Mark 6:15.

The Book of Malachi, Malachi 4:5 says, ‘See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.’ And so, some thought this Jesus was Elijah, fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi.

And even today, in modern Jewish Passover celebrations, there is an empty chair reserved at the table for Elijah, in the hope of his one day coming to announce the Messiah’s arrival.

Another disciple shared that some people said Jesus was Jeremiah but why would they think He was Jeremiah? Matthew 16:14. They held this opinion because according to 2 Maccabees legend, Jeremiah had taken the Ark of the covenant and the altar of incense out of the temple and hidden them both somewhere on Mount Nebo in order to preserve them from desecration and destruction by the Babylonians.

Some Jews thought that before the Messiah returned to establish His kingdom, Jeremiah would return to earth and restore the Ark and the altar to their proper places in the temple.

So, the people who said these things were paying Jesus wonderful compliments by comparing Him to some of the greatest prophets and teachers God had ever sent.

They were giving Jesus high praise, but not enough high praise because, in their minds, none of these three prophets were the Messiah.

Nothing has changed today concerning who Jesus is. A lot of people still speak highly of Jesus, but they don’t recognise His Deity and His Lordship.

Most people in our day will admit that Jesus was a great teacher, but they won’t concede that He was the Christ, the Son of God, the only Way to Heaven.

Some admit He was a prophet and an ‘admirable Jew’ but not as the Son of God. So, the opinion of the multitudes of Jesus’ day, isn’t that different from the opinion of many people today.

In Jesus’ day, the people thought that John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah were just a few of the Messiah’s forerunners who had come back to life with God-given miraculous powers. They thought that Jesus was great but not great enough.

At first glance, it looks like the disciples hadn’t realised who Jesus was. Maybe when they mentioned John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah, they thought that Jesus was going to say, ‘yes’ to one of those suggestions, and say, ‘your right.’

But Jesus must have answered without saying a word, and I can imagine there would have been an uncomfortable silence before Jesus spoke again. This isn’t about the multitudes’ opinion anymore; this is a personal question.

These twelve men were more qualified than anyone else to answer the question. Unlike the multitudes, they had been with Jesus 24-7 for two and a half years.

They had heard Him teach, they had seen all His miracles, they were the star witnesses of Jesus’ life up until that point. Over the past two ½ years, at times He had shocked them, at times He thrilled them, at other times, He filled them with awe and wonder.

The time had come for them to confess their opinion as to what kind of man He was. It was time for them to take a personal stand. Jesus looked each of His students in the eye and asked this all-important final-exam question.

And I think that when He did, while the other disciples were still processing the question like scared schoolboys, Peter spoke up and answered the question.

Peter boldly responded, ‘you are the Messiah,’ Matthew 16:15-16 / Mark 8:29 / Luke 9:20. Matthew adds the words, ‘the Son of the living God’, Matthew 16:16. It was a brilliant insight.

And when He said this, I imagine a glow of pride would have showed on Jesus’ face. I can imagine Jesus saying, ‘yes! correct! you got it right Peter!’

Peter moved to the head of the class and got it right that day, he said the right thing, at the right time! He gave the correct answer because he confidently expressed two foundational Christian truths.

1. He identified Jesus as the Messiah, Matthew 16:15-16 / Mark 8:29 / Luke 9:20, the One Who was to reign forever on the throne of His great ancestor David.

2. And even more important, Peter identified Jesus as divine, the ‘Son of the living God!’ Matthew 16:16.

Literally his words can be translated like this, ‘You are THE Christ, THE Son of THE God, THE living One!”

When Jesus calmed the stormy seas of Galilee in Matthew 8, the disciples proclaim, ‘what kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’ Matthew 8:27.

When Jesus walked upon the waters of the Sea of Galilee the disciples proclaim, ‘truly you are the Son of God’, Matthew 14:33. Now, Peter proclaims the deity of Christ.

Jesus tells Simon, son of Jonah, John 1:42 / John 21:15-17, that he is blessed, Matthew 16:17. The word ‘blessed’ in Greek is the word, ‘makarios’, which is used in the beatitudes at Matthew 5:3-10, and it means happy.

How did Peter know that Jesus was the Christ? God revealed it to Him, Matthew 16:17. Peter had witnessed all the Lord’s miracles and heard His teaching and preaching, John 3:2 / John 5:36 / John 10:37-38 / John 14:11 / John 20:30-31.

When anyone proclaims deity and then backs that claim up with sure miracles there is no denying it, Matthew 15:21-28. Peter and the apostles believed that he was the Christ due to divine revelation.

After stating that Jesu was the ‘Christ, the Son of the living God’, Matthew 17:17 / Matthew 14:33 / John 6:69 / John 11:27. Jesus now responds to Peter’s confession by saying that ‘upon this rock, I will build my church’, Matthew 16:18.

Peter’s name, ‘Petros’ is a Greek word that is masculine in gender, the word means a stone or rock, John 1:42. The gender of this Greek word, ‘petra’ is feminine, and so, doesn’t refer to Peter whose name is masculine.

The rock here is the fact that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God. The rock or foundation that the church will be built upon will be the fact that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, 1 Corinthians 3:11 / Ephesians 2:20.

Note that Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’, indicating that it had not been built or established at the point of this conversation. This is the first mention of the word ‘church’, which is ‘ekklesia’ in the New Testament. The Greek word means an assembly of the citizens regularly summoned, to call an assembly.

When the Lord’s church was built Jesus said that ‘the gates of Hades will not overcome it,’ Matthew 16:18 / Daniel 2:44 / Daniel 7:13-14. The gates of ancient cities were the most vulnerable part of the city and so, when a city was attacked by an enemy, the enemy attacked the gates.

If the gates fell, the city fell. The word ‘gates’ became a metaphor meaning power or strength. Hades is actually hell, Matthew 13:41-43 / Matthew 25:41 / Luke 16:22-23.

There is power in sin and that is death, Genesis 2:17 / 1 Corinthians 15:55-56. This power, however, couldn’t hold Jesus when He was resurrected from the dead, Revelation 1:18 / Revelation 6:8 / Revelation 20:13-15.

When Jesus rose from the grave, he went on to establish His church that all others may have power over sin and death through his blood sacrifice.

The Lord proclaims to Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’, Matthew 16:19. The word ‘keys’ is the Greek word, ‘kleis’ which means that which serves for closing, a bar or bolt.

Notice that Jesus says keys not key, Peter used one of those keys to open up the way to heaven to the Jews in Acts 2 and He used the other key to open up the way to heaven for the Gentiles in Acts 10.

Keys are sometimes used as a metaphor which refers to privilege or authority, Isaiah 22:22 / Luke 11:52 / Revelation 1:18 / Revelation 3:7 / Revelation 9:1. The word ‘bind’ means to bind, tie, to put in bonds and the word, ‘loosed’ means to loosen, unbind, unfasten.

In other words, the apostles would be given the Gospel message of repentance and forgiveness of sins through the blood sacrifice of Jesus.

Those who received this message would be loosed from the bondage of sin, yet those who rejected the message and would not repent remained bound in chains to their sin and destined for an eternity of torment. The ‘keys’ given to Peter and the apostles are clearly the Gospel message.

Jesus tells His disciples not to tell anyone at this time that He was the Christ, Matthew 16:20 / Mark 8:30 / Luke 9:21 / Matthew 8:4 / Matthew 17:9, because it was not his time to die yet, John 10:17-18. Jesus still had much work to do, therefore He didn’t want any unnecessary hindrance from those who tried to kill Him.

Notice that Jesus teaching to His disciples up to this point was mainly about His identity but in Matthew 16:21 / Mark 8:31, Jesus’ teaching ministry changes. He focuses on His upcoming death, burial, and resurrection.

This event took place around two ½ years into Jesus’ earthly ministry, which meant the cross was around six months away.

Jesus Predicts His Death

‘Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Luke 9:21-22

Jesus teaching to His disciples up to this point was mainly about His identity but in Mark 8:31, Jesus’ teaching ministry changes. He now focuses on His upcoming death, burial and resurrection, Matthew 16:12 / Mark 8:31 / Luke 9:22 / Luke 18:31-33 / Luke 23:46 / Luke 24:46 / Matthew 16:21 / Matthew 17:22.

After Peter’s great confession, Jesus now turns His face to Jerusalem, and He goes on to warn His disciples about how He was going to be rejected and crucified, Matthew 17:9 / Matthew 17:12 / Matthew 17:22ff / Matthew 20:18-19 / Matthew 27:63.

Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for the tragedy that was nearing. He warned them that He would be betrayed into men’s hands and be killed but encouraged them by announcing that three days later He would rise again, Matthew 16:12 / Mark 8:31 / Luke 9:22.

The disciples didn’t understand, why? Because the concept of an afterlife was foreign to them, It was Jesus who brought life and immortality to light, 2 Timothy 1:10.

Mark tells us later that they were afraid to ask Him about it, Mark 9:32. Why were they afraid to ask Him about it? They didn’t understand the purpose of Christ’s death and when Jesus spoke of His death, the subject didn’t bring them any comfort, John 16:6 / John 19:30.

It’s obvious that Peter was horrified. He couldn’t imagine the Lord being killed and so, he began to correct Jesus telling Him that this would never happen! Mark 8:31-37 / Luke 9:22-25.

‘Peter took him aside’, Matthew 16:22 / Mark 8:32, means Peter literally grabbed Jesus, trying to protect Him. Then Jesus sternly rebuked Peter, Matthew 16:23 / Mark 8:33.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter but Satan, it’s obvious that Satan was trying to use Peter to distract Jesus from His mission, Genesis 3:15 / 1 John 3:8.

Peter was tempting Jesus not to suffer. Temptations are often strongest when they come through people, we are close to. So, Jesus flatly rejected Peter’s advice.

Isn’t it strange that one-minute Peter proclaimed Jesus to be the Christ, the next, he was calling Jesus aside to inform Him that He was mistaken! If Jesus was truly the Christ, Peter had no business arguing with Him, nor do we.

The Cost Of Discipleship

‘Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27

Jesus plainly explained what was required to become His disciple. He said that you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. These requirements are demanding, a person doesn’t naturally deny himself, rather, he usually does what he wants.

Death to self is painful, but that is exactly the meaning of taking up one’s cross. The cross was an instrument of death, to take it up would be to die to oneself and to one’s own desires in order to serve Christ.

There is no profit in gaining the entire world, only to lose one’s soul in the transaction. It’s worth everything to submit to God’s stringent requirements for discipleship.

Jesus highlighted the requirements for being a disciple because it’s so easy to imagine that you are a follower of Jesus when, in fact, you aren’t.

Discipleship isn’t mere church membership or moral living, it’s total devotion to Jesus Christ. It’s to die to self and live 100% for the Lord. Am I really Jesus’ disciple?

The confession that Jesus demands isn’t a simple statement with our mouths that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God. It’s a confession that we make with our whole life that is totally committed to Him, Galatians 2:20.

Everyone who would seek to be a disciple of Jesus must commit himself to follow Jesus above all things of this world, Matthew 6:24 / Matthew 10:32-33 / Romans 1:16.

Some of Jesus’ immediate disciples would be alive when the kingdom reign of Jesus would be manifested from heaven. After His resurrection, Jesus would ascend to the throne of David in heaven, Luke 1:31-33 / Daniel 2:44 / Daniel 7:13-14. He would sit down at the right hand of the Father and rule over all things, Ephesians 1:20-22 / Philippians 2:8-11 / 1 Peter 3:22.

It was a spiritual kingdom in the sense that men responded on earth in their hearts to the fact that He was Lord and Christ Acts 2:36-37. The manifestation of Jesus’ reign in heaven was made known by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4 / Luke 24:49 / Acts 1:8 / Acts 2:1-4.

The presence of the kingdom’s reign in heaven would be manifested on earth by the obedience of men and women who submitted to His reign.

The Transfiguration

‘About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.’ Luke 9:28

Although Mark, Mark 9:2, and Matthew, Matthew 17:1, say after six days, Luke says eight days, Luke 9:28.

The Jews counted any part of a day to represent a whole day and so, by counting the partial beginning and end of two days, with six full days, we would have the eight days of Luke.

Jesus’ ‘inner circle’, that is, Jesus took Peter, James and John, Matthew 26:37 / Mark 5:37 / Luke 8:51, were privileged to be taken by Jesus to a high mountainside.

Peter, James and John were with Him in Jairus house, the synagogue ruler, when Jesus healed his daughter, Luke 8:49-56. Peter, James and John went with Him when He went to pray at Gethsemane, Mark 14:33.

The Mountain

The mountain, Matthew 17:1 / Mark 9:2 / Luke 9:28, in question is either Mount Taber in modern-day Syria or Mount Hermon in Israel, which is the highest mountain in Israel, 2 Peter 1:17-18.

Robertson, in his commentary, says the following.

‘The tradition that places the transfiguration on Mount Tabor is beyond question false.’

Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.

‘Robertson would appear to be correct for these reasons.

1. Tabor does not qualify as a ‘high’ mountain, being only 1,800 feet in elevation, compared with Hermon’s 9,000 feet.

2. Tradition favouring Tabor, first advocated by St. Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century, is much too late to have much weight.

3. Mount Tabor was populated, having a fortress on top, during the time of Christ, and was not suitable for such an event as the transfiguration. To have ascended Tabor would not have taken them ‘apart’, as Matthew expressed it.

4. Mount Tabor was three days journey removed from the last-named geographical placement of Christ and his disciples and, although a sufficient time interval of six or eight days had elapsed, none of the gospel narratives mentions a journey of any kind. Hermon, on the other hand, was nearby and is the most likely site.

5. Furthermore, when the gospels again take up the narrative, they were still in the vicinity of Hermon. Peter, in after years, called it the Holy Mount, 2 Peter 1:18, and in the words of A. L. Williams, ‘We may conclude that we are not intended to know more about it, lest we should be tempted to make more of the material circumstances than of the great reality.’

Why did they go up the mountain? Luke 9:28 tells us they went up the mountain to pray.

Why didn’t He take the other disciples with Him? Why did Jesus take only Peter, James and John up the mountain? Matthew 17:1 / Mark 9:2 / Luke 9:28. He simply was preparing them for leadership, remember that Peter had just confessed that Jesus is the Christ, Mark 8:28-38.

The transfiguration was the conformation of Peter’s confession, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It also points to a change from the law and the prophets to the One to whom the law and prophets pointed, Luke 24:44.

Peter was given the keys to the kingdom and Jesus says to him, ‘whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,’ Matthew 16:19. Which means he was given the right to teach the new law of forgiveness with its terms and conditions.

James was executed by Herod, Acts 12:1-2 which tells us that James must have been a man of influence or Herod wouldn’t have bothered to kill him.

John seems to be the quiet one but at the cross of Jesus, he was given the responsibility of looking after Jesus’ mother, which also tells us that by this time Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather was dead, John 19:26-27.

How do you think the other disciples felt when Jesus only took Peter, James and John to certain places? I can imagine they felt a little jealous, that’s possibly why they started arguing among themselves about who was the greatest, Luke 9:46 / Luke 22:24. This could be possible because Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about what happened up on the mountain, Matthew 17:9.

The Transfiguration

‘As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)’ Luke 9:29-34

Jesus had taken three of His closest friends with Him to a high mountain, there, whilst Jesus was praying, Luke 9:29, He began to glow with breath-taking brilliance, Matthew 17:2 / Mark 9:2-3 / Luke 9:29.

The word transfigured, ‘metamorphoo’ means to be changed or transformed and so, in some way Jesus’ appearance was changed into a state of heavenly glory in order to manifest His deity, John 1:14.

Matthew tells us that ‘His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light,’ Matthew 17:2. This light was an outward appearance from within, the light came from within Jesus, John 18:6 / Exodus 34:35 / 2 Corinthians 3:13.

Imagine Being There!

I can imagine James and John tugging one another’s cloaks and saying to Peter, ‘Peter, Peter is it just me or is Jesus’ head glowing a little?’ And the more he glows, the more they say, ‘He’s definitely glowing’.

We read these passages like they went and got a drink, and they went and got a burger and chips. Just as though it was the most normal thing in the world for Jesus’ head to begin to glow.

I can imagine the jaws of those men would have dropped, I can imagine them backing away, even from the Lord that they knew and here is glowing as though God is ripping open the flesh of Christ and letting divinity itself peak out.

And as that bright light is shining and as Jesus is glowing and what an amazing scene, it just gets better. For all of a sudden appearing with them are Moses and Elijah and it seems the disciples knew and recognised Moses and Elijah, Matthew 17:3 / Mark 9:3 / Luke 9:30.

Moses And Elijah

Elijah and Moses appeared, and the disciples were awestruck, Matthew 17:3 / Mark 9:4 / Luke 9:30. We don’t know how the disciples recognised Moses and Elijah. The only possible explanation is that God opened their eyes.

Moses was the great Lawgiver, Exodus 24:12-18 / John 1:17, the one who had led Israel out of Egyptian bondage and through the wilderness. Elijah was a great prophet, one of two men in the Old Testament who went directly to heaven without dying, 2 Kings 2:11.

Notice they were talking to Jesus, Matthew 17:3 / Mark 9:4 / Luke 9:20, but what were they talking about? Luke tells us that ‘they spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem,’ Luke 9:31. The word ‘departure’ is the Greek word, exodus, which means going from one place to another, 2 Peter 1:15.

Luke tells us they were discussing the fulfilment of the purpose for which both Moses and Elijah came to do their work and talking about the fulfilment of the promised ‘head crusher’ that started with the seed of woman in Eve, Genesis 3:15, and had continued to Jesus, Luke 9:31.

After feeling sleepy, Luke 9:32, the disciples were now fully awake, Luke 9:32. Peter was profoundly moved by the occasion and suggested that they build three shelters, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah, Matthew 17:4 / Mark 9:5 / Luke 9:33. Mark tells us that Peter didn’t know what to say, they were so frightened, Mark 9:6.

There are times when we simply need to listen, rather than doing. Peter’s problem was that he needed to connect everything with something he needed to do. Peter always jumped up and said, ‘Well Lord I guess I need to say something’.

Peter was always the one who would jump up and say, ‘I’m not going to let that happen to you Lord, well, I’ll be the last one to leave you, Lord’, Matthew 26:31-35 / Luke 22:31-34 / Mark 14:27-31.

And the Lord finally had to say, ‘Peter, will you just hush up, put that sword down, Luke 22:49-51 / John 18:10-15 / Matthew 26:51-55, before the rooster crows three times you’ll deny me’, Matthew 26:33-35 / Mark 14:29-31 / John 13:37–38.

And Peter is still doing it, he’s here on the mountain and James and John are saying, ‘look at this’ and Peter jumps up and what does he say? ‘We’re very glad to be here,’ Matthew 17:4 / Mark 9:5 / Luke 9:33.

That’s literally what he says, he jumps up and says, ‘Well, I’m glad I came here today.’ ‘It’s good for us to be here Lord’. ‘In fact, we need to do something about this, we need to build a shelter for Moses and a shelter for Elijah,’ Matthew 17:4 / Mark 9:5 / Luke 9:33

No doubt he felt that it would honour Jesus to receive a shelter alongside Moses and Elijah, but it seems as though Peter wanted to stay on the mountain for a while and enjoy the company but there was work to be done in the valleys.

According to Jewish tradition, these shelters would have been temporary places of prayer and meditation, Leviticus 23:34 / Exodus 25:8-9. Peter may have been suggesting that places of honour be placed at the location for the honour of Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

God’s Voice

‘While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.’ Luke 9:34-36

As Peter was speaking, a cloud enveloped the disciples and then God’s voice boomed from heaven, ‘This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him’, Matthew 17:5 / Mark 9:7 / Luke 9:34-35. The voice of God is very seldom heard in the New Testament, in fact only three times, Mark 9:7 / Matthew 3:17 / John 12:29.

Notice that when the disciples heard the voice of God, the natural reaction was worship, Matthew 17:6. Falling facedown suggests that they worship God, Daniel 8:17 / Revelation 1:17 / 2 Peter 1:18. Remember that prophets weren’t worshipped. And so, because Jesus was God, all three disciples worshipped as a natural response to their realisation of the presence of God.

They had obviously fallen to the ground in reverence and so Jesus reassuringly touches them and tells them to get up. I can imagine the disciples being very afraid after hearing God’s voice, no wonder Jesus reassures them that they have nothing to be afraid of.

Matthew tells us ‘when the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Matthew 17:6-7.

Moses and Elijah vanished and only Jesus remained, Matthew 17:8 / Mark 9:8 / Luke 9:36. The lesson was simple, they used to listen to Moses and Elijah but now they must listen to Jesus, Acts 4:12 / Hebrews 1:1-3. No other prophet assumed to be the Son of God.

The Descent

‘The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.’ Luke 9:36

As they descended, Jesus told the disciples not to tell anyone about what had happened until after He was raised from the dead, Matthew 17:9 / Mark 9:9. Luke tells us the disciples kept what they had witnessed to themselves and didn’t tell anyone, Luke 9:36.

Jesus told them not to say anything until, He, the Son of man was resurrected, Matthew 17:9 / Mark 9:9. Why were they told not to say anything to anyone?

One plausible reason could be if the disciples spoke about what had just happened publicly, especially during this crucial point in Jesus’ ministry, it may have caused a lot of unnecessary confusion among the people.

There’s also the possibility which we alluded to earlier that the other disciples may possibly have become jealous of Peter, James and John for having the special treatment, Mark 9:34 / Luke 22:24.

Peter, James and John had no idea about what Jesus meant about rising again, Mark 9:10. They didn’t believe in the death of Jesus, at this time, never mind believing that He would rise from the dead, Mark 9:10.

Remember the disciples and the Jews as a whole had no concept of the resurrection, every blessing in the Old Testament was all about the land and long life.

This is why the disciples never really understood anything Jesus taught about the afterlife, or they were afraid to ask Him about it. The resurrection from the dead was a whole new concept because it was Jesus who brought immortality to light, 2 Timothy 1:10.

By the appearance of Elijah on the mountain, their thinking was focused on the prophecies of the coming of Elijah, Matthew 9:10 / Mark 9:11 / Mark 4:5, but Elijah had already come in the sense that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, Matthew 17:11-12 / Mark 9:12-13 / Luke 1:17.

The teachers of the Law had correctly understood and interpreted the Old Testament law concerning the prophecies that a messenger must first come before the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah 40:3 / Malachi 3:1 / Malachi 4:5 / Matthew 11:14.

These prophecies were of John the Baptist who came in the spirit and power of Elijah, Luke 1:16-17. He came preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, Mark 1:1-4, but the teachers of the Law failed to understand and accept that these prophecies were fulfilled in John Himself.

As it is with most people who don’t understand one thing, this leads to another misunderstanding about something else. The disciples understood that Jesus was speaking about John the Baptist, Matthew 17:13.

The Jews didn’t recognise John as the fulfilment of prophecy in preparation for the Messiah, so they wouldn’t recognise Jesus, John 1:11. This is clearly seen later because they will eventually want to crucify Christ, because of their refusal to believe who He was, the Son of God, the Messiah. Mark 9:12.

The Greatness Of Jesus

God’s refusal of Peter’s suggestion to construct three shelters teaches us a lot of things. The problem with Peter’s plan was that it put Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah, He isn’t. Jesus is above everyone in this case, above the greatest figures of the Old Testament era.

Our problem is like Peter’s, we often tend to build multiple shelters, one for Jesus and one for our parents or one for Jesus and another for our preacher, or a favourite activity. Jesus must have the only shelter, He must be the supreme authority in our life, nothing else can be on a par with Him.

Through the years people have built cathedrals to honour Jesus, people have fought wars to honour Jesus, people have gone on fasts to honour Jesus and people have thrown banquets to honour Jesus, people have married multiple wives and people have remained celibate to honour Jesus.

But God calls out to us all and says, ‘before you go building your booths, or making your plans before you do what you think will honour Me, will you please stop and ‘Listen to Him’.

The world would be a better place if it stopped to actually listen to Jesus’ words and obey them, and our churches would be in better health if they stopped to listen to what Jesus actually teaches on any given subject.

Our own Christian walk would be totally transformed if we stopped long enough to listen and apply Jesus’ words to our very lives.

Who are you listening to?

Jesus Heals A Demon-Possessed Boy

‘The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.’ Luke 9:37-43

Jesus, Peter, James and John had remained part of a day and night on the mountain of transfiguration, Luke 9:37. While He was on the mountain, the scribes were entering into an argument with the other disciples, Mark 9:15-16.

As Jesus descended the mountain, He noticed a great commotion in the valley, the crowd ran to meet Him, Mark 9:14-15 / Luke 9:37. Notice as soon as the people saw Jesus they were overwhelmed, Mark 9:15, why?

It’s certainly possible that just like Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai his face was radiant as he reflected God’s glory, Exodus 34:35. But here the glory of God is Jesus and He’s isn’t reflecting God’s glory, He is God’s glory.

The father of the tormented boy asked Jesus to do something, if He could, the man obviously feels hopeless and helpless. The demon caused this poor boy to lose his speech, threw him to the ground in convulsions, foaming at the mouth, his teeth gnash together, he screams and becomes rigid, Mark 9:17 / Luke 9:39. Mark also says that the demon caused epileptic fits that would cause the boy to be cast into fires, Mark 9:20.

He begged the disciples to help, but they couldn’t, Matthew 17:16 / Mark 9:18 / Luke 9:40. While Jesus had been with three of the apostles on the mountain, the others had been unable to cast a demon out of a boy.

The apostles had normally been able to cast out demons, but here they couldn’t, probably because of a lack of faith, Matthew 17:19-20.

This failure puzzled them and surprised the bystanders. Jesus’ enemies were taking advantage of this lapse to discredit Him, we can imagine how embarrassed the disciples must have felt as they were being ridiculed.

Jesus says to all who were present that they were an unbelieving and a perverse generation and asks, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Matthew 17:17 / Mark 9:19 / Luke 9:41.

Jesus asks that boy be brought to Him, and when Jesus saw the effect, the demon was having on the boy, Luke 9:42, He asks how long he has been like this, Mark 9:20-21.

It seems as though everyone was still having a hard time accepting Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. John 9:3. The father of the tormented boy asked Jesus to do something if He could, the man obviously feels hopeless and helpless.

Notice that the Lord turned the boy’s father’s statement back on him, ‘If you can! All things are possible to him who believes,’ Mark 9:23. The father said that he believed, but recognising the possibility that his faith wasn’t as strong as it needed to be, he begged Jesus to help his unbelief, Mark 9:24.

Everyone thought the boy was dead, and so, with that, Christ commanded the unclean spirit to leave the boy, the demon cried out and threw the boy into convulsions but left, Mark 9:25 / Luke 9:42.

The Jews believed that no one could cast out a mute spirit unless you knew its name. Mark gives an extended account of the events surrounding the exorcism, Mark 9:25-26.

Jesus rebuked the demon, Matthew 17:18 / Mark 9:25 / Luke 9:42 / Luke 4:41, which shows His power over the devil, Matthew 4:24. The demon did what all demons have to do, the demon left the boy immediately, Matthew 17:18 / Mark 9:26 / Luke 9:42. Jesus said on this occasion that all things are possible to those who believe, Mark 9:23.

The Jews believed that no one could cast out a mute spirit unless you knew its name. Jesus said on this occasion that all things are possible to those who believe, therefore, this healing was a test of Jesus’ divine power in contrast to the lack of power in the disciples because of their lack of faith. Jesus had total control over the world of Satan and his works and because of Jesus’ command, the demon immediately left the boy.

Unlike what some people claim today concerning casting out demons, here there were no formulas, performances, money or ceremonies in order to exorcise this demon, Jesus simply spoke, and it was done.

Later, the disciples asked why they had been unable to cast out the demon, Jesus explained that they weren’t relying on God enough, but on their own power.

Perhaps their prior success in expelling demons had caused them to be self-reliant, Mark 6:13 / Mark 6:30, and they had neglected to pray in faith to God so that He would cast out the demon, John 9:31 / John 11:41. The KJV says ‘this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.’

Barnes in his commentary, says the following, concerning prayer and fasting.

‘In order to work miracles of this kind to cast out devils in cases so obstinate and dreadful as this, faith of the highest kind is necessary. That faith is produced and kept vigorous only by much prayer, and by such abstinence from food as fits the mind for the highest exercises of religion and leaves it free to hold communion with God.’

The disciples seem to be somewhat embarrassed over their inability to take care of the demon-possessed boy and notice it was the disciples’ unbelief, not the belief of the one who was healed that was questioned. They could have cast out the demon because Jesus had given them such authority.

They had demonstrated a lack of faith, Matthew 17:20 / Matthew 19:26 / Matthew 21:21-22 / Luke 10:1 / Luke 10:17, but if they had the faith as small as a mustard seed, Matthew 17:20 / Matthew 21:21-22 / Mark 11:23-24 / Luke 17:6 / 1 Corinthians 12:9 / 1 Corinthians 13:2, they could achieve much more, Matthew 17:20.

Nothing would be impossible to them for nothing is impossible for the One who actually does the miraculous work, Mark 9:23 / John 11:40.

However, the qualification for being able to command the power of the supernatural demanded that they believe, Matthew 19:26 / Matthew 21:21-22 / Luke 10:1 / Luke 1:17.

Faith takes time to grow, and the disciples were no different, in fact by the time Jesus leaves them to return to the Father, they would indeed do great things for God.

Please note that this kind of faith is supernatural miraculous faith, 1 Corinthians 12:9, we must remember to keep these verses in their proper context.

Jesus wasn’t talking to all the disciples, but only to the twelve and so this isn’t a promise for Christians today, He was promising them, the twelve, special authority in reference to their work as His personally chosen and sent apostles.

Time and again the disciples demonstrated a lack of clear spiritual understanding, they saw Jesus multiply loaves and fishes but failed to see that He could handle another food emergency. Peter affirmed that Jesus was the Christ but thought it best to give Him some needed ‘advice.’

He believed Jesus was great, but on the same level as Moses and Elijah. The nine disciples in the valley boldly attempted to expel a demon, but without relying on the Lord. They were like those formerly blind who even now saw men like trees walking.

We all take time to grow as Christians and there are times we exercise a lack of faith, especially when we just go through the ‘routine’ of being a Christian, but when difficult times come, we quickly realise what we’ve been neglecting in our spiritual lives.

Maybe those difficult times come, to remind us to ask God to increase our faith in Him.

Have you asked God to increase your faith lately?

Jesus Predicts His Death A Second Time

‘While everyone was marvelling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.’ Luke 9:43-45

Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for the tragedy that was nearing. He warned them that He would be betrayed into men’s hands and be killed, Luke 9:44, but encouraged them by announcing that three days later He would rise again, Mark 9:31. The disciples didn’t understand, Mark 9:32 / Luke 9:45, why?

They didn’t understand the purpose of Christ’s death and when Jesus spoke of His death, the subject didn’t bring them any comfort, John 16:6 / John 19:30.

They didn’t understand the purpose of Christ’s death and they were too busy arguing about who would be the greatest in Jesus’ coming kingdom, in other words, they were struggling with pride, and they even argued about this during the Supper, Luke 22:24.

Why were they afraid to ask Him about it? Mark 9:32 / Luke 9:45. As we saw above the concept of an afterlife was foreign to them, 2 Timothy 1:10.

Coffman, in his commentary, says the following, concerning the words, ‘it was hidden from them’, Luke 9:45.

‘It was God’s will that the apostles while being so thoroughly briefed on all that would take place, should also fail to ‘get it’, as we might say. This seems to be a hint here that they were providentially prevented from understanding it, but it is more likely that the very conception of human salvation as something which Almighty God alone could achieve, and that even he could not achieve it without the death of the Beloved on the cross, that such a colossal truth was utterly beyond the power of the natural man to understand it until after the fact. The concealment was not due to the design of God but to the limitations of men.’

This all happened at Peter’s house, Mark 9:33. Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt? He’s about to go and die for the world and all the disciples can do is argue about who is going to be the greatest. It must have disappointed Him greatly to see the disciples competing for power while He was preoccupied with His coming suffering.

The Greatest In The Kingdom Of Heaven

‘An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:46-48

Notice they were arguing about who was the greatest, Mark 9:34 / Luke 9:46. There’s no doubt that the disciples were still thinking that Jesus was here to establish a physical kingdom, Acts 1:6, and they wanted to know who was going to be in charge.

Mark tells us that Jesus sat down, Mark 9:35, in other words, Jesus adopts the position of a teacher which signalled to the disciples that teaching was coming. It’s then disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Matthew 18:1.

It appears that selfish ambition is beginning to creep in among the disciples, Mark 10:35-45, in fact, this subject came up four times when they were with Jesus, Matthew 20:20-28 / Mark 9:33-34 / Mark 10:35-45 / Luke 22:24-27. In Jesus’ kingdom, He Himself would be the One with all authority, Matthew 28:12 / Ephesians 1:20-23.

It must have disappointed Jesus greatly to see the disciples competing for power while He was preoccupied with His coming suffering. Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt? He’s about to go and die for the world and all the disciples can do is argue about who is going to be the greatest! Matthew 20:20-28 / Mark 10:35-45 / Luke 22:24-27.

The Child Object Lesson

Jesus didn’t need to ask what they were arguing about because He already knew and so, knowing what they had been disputing, Jesus took a child into His arms and used the child as a model of the humility that should characterise the disciples, Matthew 18:2-5 / Mark 9:36-37 / Luke 9:47-48.

Jesus tells them they must ‘change’, Matthew 18:3, which means to change their thinking, change their lives, change their attitude, Acts 3:19 / Acts 28:27. The need for change by the apostles was because of their sin of worldly pride and ambition.

They must also become ‘like little children’, Matthew 18:3, children submit to their father’s rule, they trust their father will always do what is right and as a result, they will obey their fathers, Ephesians 6:1-4 / Colossians 3:20 / Exodus 20:12 / Deuteronomy 5:16 / Proverbs 22:6.

As Christians, we need to have the same submissive attitude toward our heavenly Father if we want to receive eternal life, James 4:6-7 / 1 Peter 5:6-7.

The humility of a child should always be the characteristic of the disciple of Jesus, we should always be willing to serve and put others before us, not thinking too highly of ourselves, Matthew 18:4 / Mark 10:35-45 / Luke 9:48.

Jesus wants disciples who are humble like a child, free from prejudice like a child, teachable like a child, lovable as a child, He wants His disciples to have the same simple faith of a child, trust like a child, He doesn’t want His disciples to worry about anything but trust their Father and He wants His disciples to be as innocent as a child.

Welcoming a little child in Jesus’ Name, Matthew 18:5 / Mark 9:37 / Luke 9:48, refers to the complete acceptance of a child-like believer because of their innocent and unrestrained trust in the Lord. If we welcome a disciple of Jesus who is of the character which Jesus discusses in this context, we receive Jesus, Matthew 10:40-42.

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:49-50

John related how he had seen someone expelling demons in Jesus’ name and had forbidden him to do so, Mark 9:48. Evidently, John thought that no one should have been doing any work for the Lord who wasn’t following in their immediate company, Philippians 1:15-18.

But Jesus had commissioned many to go out, preach, and expel demons. He was pleased with those who were faithfully serving Him in other places.

There seems to be some arrogance on the part of the disciples here against one they considered unauthorized to work miracles in the name of Jesus. This one may have been one of the disciples who was previously sent out by Jesus to cast out demons, Luke 10:1-17.

We aren’t told who this person was, he was simply doing this work in the name of Jesus. Whatever the case, the disciples weren’t happy with his work.

Because he wasn’t in what the disciples considered to be the inner circle of disciples, they thought that he should be discouraged from his work.

They thus manifested their sectarian attitude, thinking that this disciple should be a member of their party before he could truly represent Jesus.

Notice Jesus didn’t condemn the work of the disciple who was casting out demons in His name. He acknowledges if someone does a miracle in His name, they won’t say anything bad about Him and they certainly won’t be against Him, Mark 9:39-40.

It was the enemy of righteousness about whom the disciples must be concerned, not someone who was giving glory to Jesus by his works.

The cup of water given in Jesus’ Name, Mark 9:41, symbolises a demonstration of kindness to others. Who would have thought that simple cup of water would be remembered and rewarded so greatly by God.

Jesus wants the disciples not to discourage the good works of those who are not of their social group. It is interesting in this context to note that this exorcist was doing what the disciples couldn’t do for lack of faith, Mark 9:18-19 / Mark 9:29.

Therefore, the effective work of the unknown disciple may have intimidated the disciples concerning their weak faith. Jesus’ teaching on this matter went beyond good works. His teaching focused on acceptance, not rejection.

The disciples of Jesus must be known for their willingness to accept, not eagerness to find occasions for rejection. The disciples must learn how to receive those with whom they may disagree.

Samaritan Opposition

‘As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.’ Luke 9:51-56

The time for Christ to go to the cross was fast approaching, Isaiah 50:7 / Mark 16:19 / Acts 1:2, hence, why he resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Jesus was in total control of His destiny and He was in total control of when and where He would give up His own life for mankind, Isaiah 53 / Psalm 22 / Revelation 13:8.

Jesus sent messengers ahead to prepare His entry into a village of the Samaritans but the people didn’t welcome him simply because He was heading for Jerusalem.

We don’t know why the other apostles aren’t mentioned, but James and John clearly wanted permission to destroy the Samaritans with fire.

The sons of thunder wanted to act immediately against those who rejected Jesus, Mark 3:17, however, this is not the way to act towards those who show hospitality towards them, 2 Kings 1:10-12. Hence, why does Jesus turns around and rebukes them, Romans 8:15 / 2 Timothy 1:7. Jesus and His disciples now move on to another village.

The Cost Of Following Jesus

‘As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62

Matthew’s account tells us that before Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, a teacher of the Jewish law, came to Him, Matthew 8:18-19. This scribe had probably not yet counted the cost of discipleship.

While on earth, Jesus had no personal house or place to stay that He could call His own. By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, He declared that He was the Messiah.

Jesus was referring to Himself as the Messiah because the Jews used the term ‘Son of Man’ to refer to the Messiah. Jesus used this term a lot, and He used that term at least forty times.

One of Jesus’ disciples felt he still had responsibilities toward his father who was either dying or had just died. He was one of the groups known as ‘wait a little’ Pharisees who always proposed something else to do first. I guess we would call this procrastination, the idea of putting things off until a later time.

Jesus used physical death in this context to refer to spiritual death. In other words, ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own physically dead.’ Jesus knew that if this disciple returned home to his old ways, his old standpoints and his old habits, he would never come back to follow Jesus.

On the surface, Jesus’ words may seem a bit harsh or even unfair but Jesus had nothing but love for the man and the man’s eternal destiny in mind.

Jesus was demanding total commitment on the part of the disciples to the work of the kingdom Matthew 10:37 / Luke 9:23. Nothing must come between the disciples and the work to which God would commission them. The disciple’s destiny mustn’t be diverted, Luke 9:57-62.

1. Christians must be willing to sacrifice any permanent place of dwelling, Luke 2:7 / Philippians 3:20-21.

At this time in the ministry of Jesus, commitment to follow Him was demanded. There were certainly others who were following Jesus other than the immediate twelve. Jesus taught that all must commit themselves to follow Him.

2. Christians must be willing to put Jesus before their social responsibilities and family relationships.

I know this is difficult for some people, but Jesus must always be first in our lives.

3. Christians must be willing to give their full attention on the work in Christ’s kingdom.

It was now a time to look forward and not back. Those who look back aren’t much use to Jesus in His kingdom. When a person looks back, they are really questioning their faith in the One who is before them.

When the kingdom reign of heaven is done on earth in the hearts of men, then kingdom business must always supersede that which is of this world, Matthew 6:31-34.

Christians can’t trust in God as they do kingdom work, whilst at the same time, look back in order to trust in the things of this world, Luke 14:25-33.

People were following Jesus to Jerusalem for various reasons. However, it was at this time in Jesus’ ministry that He was nearing Jerusalem and the cross.

In these verses, we see Jesus sought to sift out of the multitudes those who were not willing to pay the cost of being a true disciple. Again, these are hard words for those who aren’t willing to commit themselves totally to Him. The reality is that many will fail, but those who do succeed will have a tremendous influence on the world with their lives.

1. We must be willing to love Christ more than anyone else, Genesis 29:30-31 / Luke 14:25.

In order to be a disciple of Jesus, we cannot love our family and our own life more than we love Jesus. If any situation develops in our life when we have to make a decision between following and serving Jesus or our own family, our eternal destiny would command that we follow Jesus, Matthew 22:37-40.

2. We must be willing to sacrifice our entire life, Luke 14:25 / Romans 12:1-2.

3. Building God’s kingdom.

We must count the cost involved in becoming a Christian, Luke 14:28. A lot of people find it difficult to become Christians simply because they aren’t willing to pay the price of discipleship. This is something, especially many preachers must accept and not get disheartened with.

Counting the cost of what it will take to be a disciple assumes that some may make the decision to turn away from the Gospel. Though Paul was a chosen vessel for God’s work, Jesus still showed him all things that he had to suffer in order to carry out his mission.

The early disciples were shown what the cost of discipleship would be in their lives. They, as well as all disciples, must go through many sufferings in order to be saved, Revelation 2:10.

Those who convert to Jesus, and then fall away, will be mocked by those who never wanted to become disciples in the first place, Luke 14:29-30 / 2 Peter 2:20-22.

4. Fighting in God’s kingdom.

We must count the cost involved in becoming a Christian, Luke 14:31-32. Before a king goes to war with the enemy he must first consider whether he has enough power to win the battle. Before one becomes a disciple, he must first consider whether he can win the battle, Ephesians 6:10-18.

Jesus’ emphasis here is that one must seriously consider his call to discipleship. His emphasis is on the seriousness by which we must consider being a disciple of Jesus.

Those who do not take their discipleship seriously will inevitably become indifferent and lukewarm. Their attitude of indifference and look-warmness will be as leaven, and thus, affect the entire group of disciples.

Jesus is the King who is coming against all those who have not obeyed the Gospel. He is coming with destruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.

If one would have peace with King Jesus at the time of His final coming, then he must sit down and consider Jesus’ conditions for peace. His conditions begin with obedience to the Gospel.

The rich young ruler who wanted to be a disciple of Jesus had to pay this price because his riches stood between him and his commitment to Jesus, Mark 10:17-31.

If one wants to be a disciple of Jesus, he must be willing to forsake all that is necessary in order to be such, Philippians 3:7-11.

5. Material sacrifice.

We must count the cost involved in becoming a Christian, Luke 14:33. If someone isn’t willing to forsake all for Jesus, then that which they aren’t willing to forsake will eventually be their stumbling block over which they will fall as a Christian.

All these demands of Jesus were met with genuine excuses from different people who wanted to follow Jesus, but when push comes to shove, there was no excuse, it was people who simply failed to count the cost or simply found the cost involved too high a price.

I wonder what price people put on their souls today! Mark 8:36-37. Why is it so important to share the costs involved with someone before they decide to become a Christian? Being a Christian is serious business, it’s all about sacrifice and commitment to Christ and His kingdom.

We don’t want people to say, ‘hey, I signed up to become a Christian, but I wasn’t aware of all this sacrifice stuff and commitment’! But more importantly, we don’t want any Christian to fall away simply because they didn’t have at least some understanding of what’s involved in living the Christian life.

What about those who say, ‘wow, that’s a lot of things, I’ve got to ‘give up’?’ Maybe we should focus a little more on what a person receives, in return for their sacrifice, Philippians 3:8.

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