Week of 3/5 Scripture to Memorize: Luke 9:23-24 Day 1 â âAssume a ...
Week of 3/5 Scripture to Memorize: Luke 9:23-24 Day 1 – “Assume a spirit of humility” Read: Luke 9:46-48 Reflect: What argument is occurring amongst the disciples? How does Jesus turn the tables on their discussion? Consider: We all want to be the greatest. Slogans like “#1 Dad” and “World’s Best Boss” are printed on mugs that sit in our cupboard and on our desks. At first reading, the desire to be the greatest disciple seems to be a noble mission but underneath the pious thought stirs jealousy, envy, and a desire for domination. Rather than formulating a workout plan to be the greatest, Jesus flips the script. He picks up a child and connects being the greatest to the one who cares for the children - the least, last, and left out of the day. To be great is to be humble. To be viewed as great one must empty himself, not exalt himself. “Greatness lies not in receiving preferential treatment from others or in having more authority than others. On the contrary it involves serving others, especially the outcasts of society as represented by the little child. Greatness ministers to the poor, crippled, lame, and blind who can never repay (Luke 14:12-14).”1 Respond: In what ways are you humbling yourself to serve those who can never repay you? In what ways is God calling you to humble yourself for the good of others? Day 2– “Partner with others” Read: Luke 9:49-50 Reflect: What is the issue here? How does Jesus respond to His disciples? Consider: It is an error “to think that God is only working exclusively in one’s immediate circle.”2 Simply because others don’t dress like, talk like, worship like, or act like we do we assume their theology is faulty. Rather than criticizing other’s ministries, Jesus calls us to champion the fact that the gospel is advancing. St. Augustine is often credited saying, “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity”. Jesus is not calling us to sacrifice the foundational elements, but in the non-essentials we must work to allow for diversity to be seen and for the Good News to go forth. Respond: What are the essentials of the faith that must universally be upheld? In what areas should you grant liberty? How can this idea change how you act today?
Day 3 – “Accept Rejection” 1 2
Robert H. Stein. Luke, The New American Commentary, pg 294. Stein, Luke, pg 294.
Read: Luke 9:51-56 Reflect: What awaits Jesus in Jerusalem? How does the treatment in Samaria foreshadow the treatment of Jerusalem? Consider: Knowing what is ahead, Jesus is now on a mission to the Holy City. Jesus is walking with His face set towards the pain, betrayal, beating, and ultimately death that will come when He arrives in Jerusalem. Yet even on this journey, rejection is experienced. While walking through Samaria, Jesus sends messengers ahead to prepare a place to stay as they journey the three-day trek through Samaria yet arrangements are denied. Stein notes, “the rejection of the messengers was, in fact, a rejection of Jesus.”3 Here we get a taste of what is to come. Rejection of who He is and what He has done is the experience of Jesus in His last few days. Yet in the midst of His rejection, note how Jesus responds. He does not bring wrath against the Samaritans, instead accepts the rejection and moves to the next village. Doesn’t this sound similar to how He responds to the crowd mocking Him at the cross (Luke 23:34)? Respond: How do you respond to rejection? How do you act when things go against your will and way? In what ways can you “turn the other cheek”? Day 4 – “Follow wholeheartedly” Read: Luke 9:57-62 Reflect: Note the three separate dialogues and what Jesus is stating must be sacrificed to follow Him. Which of the three would be the hardest for you? Consider: The final five verses of Luke 9 are a challenging read to all who desire to give their life in submission to Christ. For in these few verses Jesus makes no promises for the comforts of today. In handling these verses in his book CounterCulture, David Platt asks “Are we going to choose comfort or the cross?” 4 This is the heart of Jesus’ message – what do you value more: the world or me? To follow Jesus costs nothing less than everything. It requires sacrifice, calls us to selflessness, and demands that we give our life. As a result, truly following Jesus never was, is, or will be the popular thing – but it is the only way (John 14:6). Respond: What are you struggling to let go of as you seek to follow Jesus? Pray for the courage and confidence to lay aside these things. Pray for the Spirit’s power to help you release and chase after Christ. Day 5 – “Serve Willingly” Read: Luke 10:1-3 Reflect: Do you believe the phrase of verse 2 is true today? What reasons do you believe Jesus sent them out in groups of two? Consider: Acts 1:8b states “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The command of Jesus before His ascension is merely a continuation of the ministry that He had established while on earth. The gospel message that brings healing to the broken, hope to the downtrodden, and salvation to the sinner is meant to be shared not stored. Furthermore, this message is meant to be shared by men and women who have experienced its life-altering power in their own lives. We can easily get caught up with memorizing scripts and knowing certain verses but for us to be most effective in our ministering to a 3 4
Stein, Luke, pg 298. Platt, CounterCulture, pg 239.
dying and desperate world we must share who Christ is to us. We must share what we have seen. The Good News that transformed us is the Good News that our neighbors, co-workers, and classmates need to hear. Respond: How has Jesus changed you? How can you share this with others? Will you serve willingly? Will you share what you have seen to the people you interact with on a daily basis?
Day 3 – “Accept Rejection” 1 2
Robert H. Stein. Luke, The New American Commentary, pg 294. Stein, Luke, pg 294.
Read: Luke 9:51-56 Reflect: What awaits Jesus in Jerusalem? How does the treatment in Samaria foreshadow the treatment of Jerusalem? Consider: Knowing what is ahead, Jesus is now on a mission to the Holy City. Jesus is walking with His face set towards the pain, betrayal, beating, and ultimately death that will come when He arrives in Jerusalem. Yet even on this journey, rejection is experienced. While walking through Samaria, Jesus sends messengers ahead to prepare a place to stay as they journey the three-day trek through Samaria yet arrangements are denied. Stein notes, “the rejection of the messengers was, in fact, a rejection of Jesus.”3 Here we get a taste of what is to come. Rejection of who He is and what He has done is the experience of Jesus in His last few days. Yet in the midst of His rejection, note how Jesus responds. He does not bring wrath against the Samaritans, instead accepts the rejection and moves to the next village. Doesn’t this sound similar to how He responds to the crowd mocking Him at the cross (Luke 23:34)? Respond: How do you respond to rejection? How do you act when things go against your will and way? In what ways can you “turn the other cheek”? Day 4 – “Follow wholeheartedly” Read: Luke 9:57-62 Reflect: Note the three separate dialogues and what Jesus is stating must be sacrificed to follow Him. Which of the three would be the hardest for you? Consider: The final five verses of Luke 9 are a challenging read to all who desire to give their life in submission to Christ. For in these few verses Jesus makes no promises for the comforts of today. In handling these verses in his book CounterCulture, David Platt asks “Are we going to choose comfort or the cross?” 4 This is the heart of Jesus’ message – what do you value more: the world or me? To follow Jesus costs nothing less than everything. It requires sacrifice, calls us to selflessness, and demands that we give our life. As a result, truly following Jesus never was, is, or will be the popular thing – but it is the only way (John 14:6). Respond: What are you struggling to let go of as you seek to follow Jesus? Pray for the courage and confidence to lay aside these things. Pray for the Spirit’s power to help you release and chase after Christ. Day 5 – “Serve Willingly” Read: Luke 10:1-3 Reflect: Do you believe the phrase of verse 2 is true today? What reasons do you believe Jesus sent them out in groups of two? Consider: Acts 1:8b states “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The command of Jesus before His ascension is merely a continuation of the ministry that He had established while on earth. The gospel message that brings healing to the broken, hope to the downtrodden, and salvation to the sinner is meant to be shared not stored. Furthermore, this message is meant to be shared by men and women who have experienced its life-altering power in their own lives. We can easily get caught up with memorizing scripts and knowing certain verses but for us to be most effective in our ministering to a 3 4
Stein, Luke, pg 298. Platt, CounterCulture, pg 239.
dying and desperate world we must share who Christ is to us. We must share what we have seen. The Good News that transformed us is the Good News that our neighbors, co-workers, and classmates need to hear. Respond: How has Jesus changed you? How can you share this with others? Will you serve willingly? Will you share what you have seen to the people you interact with on a daily basis?
