Lessons Into Luke: Lesson 8

FACTS AND THOUGHTS

LESSON EIGHT - A CHANGE IN FOCUS

Luke Chapter Nine

It is important that we clearly understand where we are in our studies of the career of Jesus as recounted by Luke. We have seen Him begin His public ministry by applying to Himself the prophecy of Isaiah chapter Sixty-One. We have seen Him perform many miracles, which were demonstrating to all who had eyes to see that Jesus was Someone Special. We have seen Him on the one hand many times engaging in personal, private prayer; on the other hand we have seen Him several times refer to Himself as "The Ideal Human Being," that is, "The Son of Man."


At the same time, and as opposition against Him was beginning to crystallize, we have seen Him taking steps to enlarge His ministry. From His many followers, "disciples," He chose out a certain twelve men, and He designated them to be "apostles," that is, those whom He would send forth with the appointed message. Then He taught to all his disciples, both the twelve and also all the other disciples, and other multitudes as well if they would hear, some basic principles of conduct for those who would have a part in His Kingdom. We studied this lesson in part in the preceding Lesson of this series.


There were, of course, other things which Jesus was doing during this time. They too merit our careful study. But in this twenty-lesson series, the constraints of time require that we be selective.


All of this culminated in the occasion when Peter, questioned with the other disciples by Jesus, uttered what has come to be known as "The Great Confession." This was briefly touched upon in our Lesson Six. It is now in order that we look in greater detail at that situation and the things immediately following. We find the story in Chapter Nine of Luke's account.


We find, in verses 7 and 8 that many, including Herod (the tetrarch), were wondering Who Jesus might be. There were suggestions: "John the Baptist (risen from the dead)", "Elijah, or one of the Old Testament prophets." So Jesus tried to take the twelve with him from Capernaum to Bethsaida (some miles away). And when the multitudes followed, Jesus took the twelve further apart (we know to Caesarea Philippi), for private prayer and instruction.


It was then that Jesus, after prayer, asked the disciples two questions: (1) what were the people saying about Him; and (2) what did the disciples think. It was then that Peter replied (as though for all), "the Messiah of God." (vs. 20.)


We know from Matthew's account (Matthew Chapter Sixteen) that at that point Jesus praised Peter and then made further statements about His own power and authority. But Luke tells nothing about this. Instead, according to Luke, Jesus immediately silenced Peter and all the disciples. Matthew, a Jewish Gospel, also tells of silencing the disciples; but Luke's account, by omitting the praise, is much more abrupt.


It is as though Jesus was saying, "Peter, you are making good progress, but you don't have the whole picture yet. So be silent, and listen while I tell you, not just of the Messiah, but of My greater role, even that of "The Ideal Human Being," (The Son of Man), and what is to be of significance to all of you My disciples."

With that, Jesus proceeded to predict His earthly future, culminating in His death and resurrection. (Vs. 22.) Notice that He speaks in the third person: He does not say "I" but rather "The Son of Man." In His divinely appointed and accepted role as Man, four things will occur about Him: (1) He must "suffer" (that is, "endure") many things; (2) He must be rejected by the ruling authorities; (3) be put to death; and (4) be resurrected.


It is to be noted that this marks a definite change in the ministry of Jesus. Heretofore He has been seeking to have people identify Himself. But from now on, He will continually speak of His destiny. Over and over again, He will predict His coming death, both in His words and in His actions.


It is of primary importance that we recognize this change in focus of the Ministry of Jesus.


And this is true of each of us. As human beings, from early childhood on, we are continually asking ourselves, "Who am I?" Dr. Paul Tournier, in his book, "The Meaning of Persons," says this question of our identity "Haunts every one of us." The second question before each of us is, "What is my destiny? Where am I going? What is to become of me?

Jesus, the Son of God, knows all things. He knew Who He was. He knew His destiny. His concern while on earth was to try to get others to learn the answer to these questions as they applied to Him. And so, as "The Ideal Human Being," The Son of Man, He foretells His destiny.


Notice that Jesus said The Son of Man must "suffer" many things. The word properly means "to experience" things happening to one from outside oneself. Usually it means to experience misfortune. So Jesus was saying that from this time on He must endure increasing troubles coming on Him. This will culminate in rejection, death, and finally resurrection.


Then notice that immediately (vss. 23ff) Jesus went on to tell His disciples that if they would follow Him they must be prepared to endure like misfortunes, even to the surrendering of life itself.


It has been said that when men enlist in the armed services, especially in time of war, they must by their enlistment be saying, "I must expect to be killed. By enlisting, I forfeit my life (if necessary.) If I survive, I'll be lucky. So Jesus was saying, "if you enlist to be My disciple, you must make a like commitment of yourself."


The question then for each of us is, "When you committed yourself to receive Jesus and to follow Him, do you understand that that is the commitment you have made?" It is a very solemn question indeed!

And Jesus climaxes these words with words of shame and glory. In His glory (including His Father's glory and the glory of the angels,) He may be ashamed of some of us. Cowards? Awe-inspiring words!

Finally Jesus uttered a very cryptic statement: "Some standing here will live to see the Kingdom of God." Scholars have puzzled over the meaning without success. When the writer was a seminary student, his professor suggested five possible meanings: (1) Jesus was referring to His own death; (2) He was talking about His resurrection; (3) He was talking about the destruction of Jerusalem; (4) He had in mind Pentecost; and (5) He had reference to the Transfiguration.

This writer does not know the meaning. But he would offer one point. Jesus was speaking to his disciples, but He did not say "some of you." Instead He said, "some of them." Could Jesus have been referring to the end of all suffering, that is The Great Tribulation, and was suggesting that some few would endure to live to the time of the Rapture? - Perhaps a possibility.

(We shall consider this further when we come to Luke Chapter 21.)

Now as part of this total episode in Luke Chapter Nine we come to the account of The Transfiguration of Jesus. We find that a week later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with Him for a prayer-meeting on some mountaintop. While there He was transfigured, with the glow coming from within Him, and with Moses and Elijah (perhaps representative of "The Law and the Prophets," a common statement for what we call The Old Testament) talking with Jesus, about what? About the coming Crucifixion!


Certain points to be noted. First of all, what does Luke mean by saying the event took place "about eight days after"? Matthew and Mark say "after six days." Note the word "after" and Luke's word "about." One scholar suggests that Luke was writing to Gentiles, and the Greeks in speaking of a time interval counted both the first and last days.


Why is this time interval included in the text?


Do we find any other eight-day period in scripture which we may compare to this? This writer thinks we do.


In the Nineteenth Chapter of Luke we are told how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of an ass's colt, while the crowd cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He that cometh in 'Hashem Adonai' (the Name of the Lord)" thus fulfilling to the letter the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. (We call this the first Palm Sunday.)


Then, by deciphering the chronology of the so-called "Holy Week," we find that the Resurrection took place on the following Sunday. Eight days inclusive!


The Great Confession by Peter was an attempt to identify Jesus. The ride into Jerusalem was to identify Him publicly. Then came (in Chapter Nine) the prediction of the suffering and death of Jesus, followed by His resurrection, and being climaxed "on the eighth day" by the transfiguration. This was paralleled by the Resurrection on the eighth day, the first Easter. Note in this connection the words of Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: "Behooved it not the Christ (Messiah) to suffer these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures" (i.e., the Old Testament) "the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:26-27.) Thus the Transfiguration was an acted-out prediction of the Resurrection, the "entering into His glory."

And still Peter did not "get it." He and the others were "asleep." He wanted to erect three booths to keep all three, Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, there.

Immediately came the cloud, and the words from heaven: "This is My Son, My chosen: hear ye Him." Years ago, the writer's brother expressed the matter in this way: "Shut up, Peter, and listen to what My Son has to say."


Do we listen? Do we listen intently enough? Are we challenged by the words of Jesus? In these days of post-Christian America, are we prepared to apply to ourselves the words of Jesus as recounted in Luke 9:23-24? There are some who think such times may soon come. Solemn words to ponder and to take to heart.


FURTHER EVENTS IN CHAPTER NINE


Because the final events in Chapter Nine of Luke's Gospel are also covered at least in part in other Gospels, we shall omit discussing them, except to observe one or two points.

(1) In verses 44 and 45, Jesus again predicted His future, speaking of "being delivered into the hands of men." Notice that the disciples did not grasp the significance of the statement, and were unwilling to try to learn.

(2) In verses 51-53 is reference to the determination of Jesus to go to Jerusalem to meet His destiny. This is another reminder to us that the Cross, resurrection, and ascension were looming large in His thinking.

(3) Finally, in verses 57 to 62, we find that in His relations with three men, Jesus clearly showed in three ways the personal cost involved in undertaking to follow Jesus. We do well to take these words seriously in applying to ourselves lest we too glibly say, "I will follow Jesus." To follow Him may probably prove costly.



QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW, STUDY, AND DISCUSSION


1. Review of preceding text: As you read the foregoing discussion and Chapter Nine of Luke, tell what special thought or thoughts gripped your attention, and why.


The following questions are based on Luke Chapter Ten:

2. When Jesus sent out thirty-five couples to announce His coming and the kingdom of God, so soon after sending out the twelve, do you sense His feeling of urgency? Do you have a sense of urgency to see the Gospel proclaimed? If not, why not?


3. In 10:21-22 we see Jesus thanking His Father for the Father's discrimination in favour of "babes." Then in vs. 22 He indicates that He Himself has been given authority to discriminate. How do you interpret this selectivity on the part of Jesus?


4. What is the essential difference in a neighbour as defined by (a) the lawyer; and (b) as defined by Jesus? (See 10:28-37.) Or expressed another way, is "neighbour" to be regarded as a noun or as a verb?


5. Do you think that Martha had a valid reason for condemning her sister for the latter's lack of essential hospitality? Discuss.


6. What new lessons about the character of The Son of Man as outlined in this chapter are evident to you? Do all of these points challenge you? Discuss.


7. Try to memorize 10:16.






--- Norman L. MacLeod Jr.

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