Wednesday, March 3
Read Luke 9
Think About It:
There are a lot of action words in this chapter. Beginning in verse 1 (example: called), look for them as you read.
- What did Jesus give the apostles? He sent them to do what?
- Herod wondered, “Who is this Jesus?”. Have we gone the next step with Herod to seek to see Him?
- Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” Their answer was the same as that of Herod. Let’s make it personal, as Jesus asks us, “Who do you say I am?” Can you respond as Peter did?
- Jesus warned and commanded not to do what? How different is that from what He wants us to do today?
- In verses 51-53, what is there in them that shows Jesus was determined to complete the plan of salvation?
- Verse 57 mentions, “that someone”. Ever wonder if you could be “that someone”? Do we make excuses for not promptly following Jesus when He calls?
Family Time:
- What did Jesus give the disciples the authority to do—even though they had not yet experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? According to this word, all 12 were sent using this authority. Knowing Judas Iscariot was among them, how does this make you realize that moving in power and authority to cast out demons and heal the sick is not the measurement of knowing we are going to heaven. DOING GOD’S WILL – OBEDIENT HEARTS OUT OF LOVE AND RESPECT OF HIM IS WHAT HE WANTS MOST. Yes, do those things as God authorizes, but MOTIVE MATTERS MORE.
(Consider Matthew 7:21-23 from the Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’)
- It would have been easy for the 12 to be filled with a sense of accomplishment (or maybe even a little pride) after returning from a healing and demon casting-out mission trip. What lesson/miracle did Jesus first ask them to do and then used to help them see that they still had much to learn when it was obvious they couldn’t do it (verses 10-17)? Did they yet have the compassionate heart that Jesus had toward others?
- What was the second lesson?
- According to verse 56, why did the Son of Man come?
