PROLOGUE
There are many great events in Chapter 9 of Luke, like the feeding of 5000 and the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. I have chosen, however, to focus on the theme of discipleship. We all intend to be disciples of Jesus as we journey home to the Father. So it is best to study, reflect, and ponder what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Pray always that we may be faithful disciples. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. Matthew 7:13 Robert Frost put it this way in the poem “The Road Not Taken, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”
SCRIPTURE LUKE 9:1-6
the mission of the twelve.
He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet* in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
JESUS SENDS HIS DISCIPLES ON MISSION
REFLECTION
Jesus sent his disciples two by two out into the world to preach the Good News and heal the sick.
We do not go it alone either but with other like-minded faithful who model Jesus in their every-day activity. We are Jesus to every Jesus we meet in disguise.
In our companionship to those in need, we heal the afflicted spiritually and physically in Jesus’ name, his words, his presence, and his acts of restoration. Jesus tells his disciples to take nothing for the journey. Jesus is enough. Do we trust Jesus enough to leave our baggage behind. It is Jesus who acts through us no matter how small and inept we think we are. Jesus can use any instrument. Listen to Him!
Moses didn’t listen to him. Moses struck the rock at Kadesh instead of speaking to it as God told him and it cost Moses the Promised Land. Take the staff and assemble the community, you and Aaron your brother, and in their presence command the rock to yield its waters. Thereby you will bring forth water from the rock for them, and supply the community and their livestock with water. Numbers 20:11
SCRIPTURE
LUKE 9:23:27
the conditions of discipleship
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily* and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels…
JESUS GIVES CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
REFLECTION
After his disciples returned, Jesus gathers them to give more instruction on what it means to be a disciple of His.
A disciple must deny himself. A disciple must put God’s will above his own and that will indeed be a cross to bear. We like it our way. Jesus says He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
“Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it” That seems really weird by worldly standards but we are not of this world. We are intended for a parallel world, eternity with God. If we hold on to what we want in this life what will we take with us into the next? Cling to Jesus. Jesus. I am yours in this life and in the next.
Whoever is ashamed of me in this life, may hear God say, “I never knew you.” Matthew 7:21 I know none of us want to hear that! We must be bold in our proclamation of the Gospel in this life even when we are shamed and persecuted. Jesus out of love died for you and me to save us from our sins. Can’t we say thank you by earning that salvation in our faithful discipleship?
SCRIPTURE
LUKE 9:46-48
the greatest in the kingdom
An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”
JESUS WELCOMES CHILDREN
REFLECTION
As disciple we must be childlike, embracing Jesus, trusting in the Lord. Children in the time of Jesus were considered least in society as far as power or influence in the world at large. To be childlike is our calling to become the greatest in heaven. We must diminish so that God can increase. We plan on spending all eternity with God, why not get to know Him now? Why not live as if we were already united to God?
SCRIPTURE LUKE 9:57-62
the would-be followers of jesus.*
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.* But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him, Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.
LET ME GO FIRST AND BURY MY FATHER
REFLECTION
“Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” Jesus knew this man’s heart. It had too many attachments-The lame excuse the man gave to bury his father when his father was standing right beside him! The man just was putting off giving up his will. Sad, but don’t we do the same thing.
I am reminded of the prayer of St. Augustine to God in the early stages of his conversion, “Lord make me pure, but not yet! We are a lot like St. Augustine whatever we are still holding on to. Be sincere in our prayers and pray that our will be strengthened to choose God’s will. “Behold now is the acceptable time, now is the time for salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2