NOTE: The story of Jesus healing the demon possessed boy includes the curious comment by Jesus, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” For my thoughts on that comment look to my devotion on Matthew 17:1-21 of August 30, 2011.
I see four red flags in today’s passage.
1- Immediately after Jesus heals the boy Jesus told his disciples about the reception he will receive in Jerusalem. The disciples didn’t understand. They knew they didn’t understand and they were afraid to reveal their ignorance by asking Jesus questions.
2- Instead of asking Jesus questions, the disciples argued among themselves about who was the greatest, the wisest, and the best disciple.
3- The disciples saw another person doing the work of the Kingdom, but wanted to shut him down because he wasn’t in their group.
4- A village did not welcome Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem so the disciples wanted to call fire from heaven to burn them up.
All the above occurred in just twelve verses, Luke 9: 44-56. These episodes reveal to me that even what we may think is the best of humanity is broken to the core by sin. The only cure for such brokenness is new life in Christ. New life in Christ is only made possible because the Son of Man was “betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”
Because misery loves company it is easy to lower the bar of expectations for my life. After all, if the twelve disciples didn’t get it, if the twelve disciples behaved badly, why should I expect my life to be any different?
Because Jesus does.
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
14-Jan-12 Luke 9:57-10:16
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