Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Did you feel a little overwhelmed after reading the numerous amazing stories found in this chapter? If so, I completely understand. There are many peculiar, even unbelievable eyewitness events that Luke, who wrote this Gospel for Gentile converts, shared about Jesus.
The story about feeding a crowd of 5,000 men, plus women and children, with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:16-17) was very thought provoking and reminded me of Jesus' authority over all God’s creation. It also demonstrates how God provides for us in unexpected and incomprehensible ways.
I don’t think anyone would argue that Jesus predicting his death, burial, and resurrection is also unexpected and incomprehensible.
Luke 9:22
“The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
Did you notice that Jesus proclaimed that the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and then be raised from the dead? If hearing this news wasn’t bad enough, Jesus then told the disciples that they must do the same.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
In Biblical times, everyone knew what a cross meant: It was a one-way journey to torture, humiliation, and death in the most horrific way possible. No one would voluntarily take up their cross—it would be forced on them. Which is to say that the cross would mark them under the pressure.
The cost of our salvation was the life of one perfect, sinless Son. And lucky for us, that price has already been paid. But just as the early Christians were called to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus—we too are called to put our own selfish desires to death, open our hearts to receive God’s love, and follow his will for our lives.
It’s not a choice without sacrifice, but rest assured, it’s a choice that will result in true transformation as you are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Questions:
Just as the people in the crowd gave what they had to the disciples, have you given of your gifts and talents in the name of Jesus to help others?
Have you committed everything in your life to follow Christ?
Next Steps:
If you have not committed your life to follow Christ, through prayer and petition, ask for forgiveness of your sins and the peace of Christ to fill your heart and mind. Prayer is your first line of defense, not your last resort.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I realize I owe everything to you. Give me the power to love you above everything else. I know I will have many blessings if I take up my cross and follow you. Please grant me the wisdom to know the difference between earthly desires and those of your teachings. Thank you for sending your son to overcome the world. It’s in his name I pray, amen.