Lucas 9
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 9
Ryle - The wickedness of being ashamed of Christ is very great. It is a proof of unbelief. It shows that we care more for the praise of men whom we can see, than that of God whom we cannot see. It is a proof of ingratitude. It shows that we fear confessing Him before man who was not ashamed to die for us upon the cross. Wretched indeed are they who give way to this sin. Here, in this world, they are always miserable. A bad conscience robs them of peace. In the world to come they can look for no comfort. In the day of judgment they must expect to be disowned by Christ to all eternity, if they will not confess Christ for a few years upon earth. Let us resolve never to be ashamed of Christ. Of sin and worldliness we may well be ashamed. Of Christ and His cause we have no right to be ashamed at all. Boldness in Christ's service always brings its own reward. The boldest Christian is always the happiest man. (Commentary) Adam
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Ryle - Let it be noted that the very same disciples who here slept during a vision of glory were also found sleeping during the agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Flesh and blood does indeed need to be changed before it can enter heaven. Our poor weak bodies can neither watch with Christ in His time of trial nor keep awake with Him in His glorification. Our physical constitution must be greatly altered before we could enjoy heaven. but when they were fully awake, - The vision fully awakened them much like a man out of drunken stupor at some incredible vision. This description of the sleepy disciples and then the fully awake disciples is only given by Luke. Indeed, the three were getting a taste of the glory we shall all one day celebrate. And notice that they did not want it to end (thus Peter's suggestion for 3 tabernacles). THOUGHT - Here is the practical point - Once we fall asleep in Jesus (or are raptured), we will not miss our past because for the incredible glory of our future! Don't dread dying! It is our entree into eternal glory in the unhindered presence of the Glorious One! WE ARE HOME AT LAST! Martin - Three disciples were with Jesus. This number is reminiscent of Moses' three companions—Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu—who saw God (Ex. 24:9-11). (See The Bible Knowledge Commentary) They saw His glory (doxa) and the two men standing with Him - Notice the emphasis is on the glory of Jesus. The men standing with Him take second place. That mortal men could behold His glory is amazing. Overcome (weighed down) (916)(bareo from baros = weight, heaviness, figuratively a burden as in Gal 6:2) means to lay on a heavy load; to encumber with weight, to weigh down, to burden. Figuratively, to oppress with any thing grievous; as, to burden a nation with taxes. The effect of drowsiness = "Heavy eyes" (Mt 26:43, Mk 14:40) "Overcome (heavy) with sleep" (Lk 9:32). Sleep (5258)(hupnos; English hypnosis) in Scripture usually refers to literal sleep (Mt 1:24, Lk 9:32, Jn 11:13). The same word is used of the eyes of these three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:43) and of the hearts of many (Luke 21:34). ILLUSTRATION - Eight-year-old Peter Sweeney of Rockville Centre, NY, wrote a get-well letter to President Reagan after he had been shot. The President decided to use the letter in the middle of an economic address to a joint session of Congress which was being televised. Unfortunately, Peter was asleep in bed when the program came on the screen. Thus, the lad slept through his big moment and was told about it only the next day. How many significant moments we lose because we are asleep spiritually! In this passage, we find that an incredible event was taking place on this mountain, but Peter, James, and John were unaware and out of touch of what was happening. If they could have stayed awake, they would have been witnesses to an incredible conversation. What a huge blessing they missed because they were asleep. They were in the presence of great men and did not realize the blessing and privilege that were under their nose. Beloved, get to know great men and women for Christ. Seek them out! Cherish the opportunity of being able to learn from them and enjoy their presence. Many of them are in your own church. Think for a moment, what a blessing it would have been to enjoy the presence of great people in the past.....Wait a minute. Before we get too tough on Peter, James, and John for sleeping, let's take a good, hard look at ourselves. How many blessings have you missed? What have you failed to learn because of those times in your life when you were spiritually or physically snoozing? How many sermons have you missed at church that could have changed your life because you slept in on Sunday? What opportunities have you lost to serve the Lord because you were in a spiritual slumber? Paul urged us repeatedly to stay awake spiritually. Romans 13:11-note, Ephesians 5:14-note, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8-note. When you fall asleep spiritually, your catnapping creates complications for you and a carnal lifestyle. Your drowsiness results in defeat and dropped opportunities to serve God. When you are insensible you become indifferent toward spiritual matters. God says, "Wake up!" Why do we get spiritually sleepy? Have you thought about this? (Treasures from the Scripture) Luke 9:33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not realizing what he was saying. KJV And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. it is good Ps 4:6,7; 27:4; 63:2-5; 73:28; John 14:8; 2 Corinthians 4:6 let us make three tabernacles Matthew 17:14; Mark 9:5,6 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:27-36 - Steven Cole Luke 9:32-36 A Glimpse of the King's Return, Part 2 - John MacArthur Parallel Passages in the Synoptic Gospels - Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8 Matthew 17:4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Mark 9:5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. PETER MOUTH'S OFF To mouth off means to speak without discretion. This was Peter's "specialty!" What does the Bible say about talking too much / being talkative? And as these were leaving Him - Only Luke mentions that Moses and Elijah were leaving. Notice also that Peter recognized the two men, even though they had died centuries prior. Even in heaven our unique identity we had on earth will be preserved forever (glorified of course!). Master (epistates), it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles (skene) - Indeed it is good to be in the presence of the Glorious One and this will be the joy of every blood bought, heaven bound believer -- forever in the presence of our Master...eternally good! It doesn't get much better than that! Wiersbe on let us make three tabernacles (skene) - Peter's suggestion reminds us of the Jewish "Feast of Booths" that in the Bible is related to the future (Millennial) kingdom (Lev. 23:33-44+; Zech. 14:16-21). Peter wanted Jesus to hold on to the glory apart from the suffering, but this is not God's plan. (Borrow Be compassionate )
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Ryle comments on the Transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36 - The event described in these verses, commonly called "the transfiguration," is one of the most remarkable in the history of our Lord's earthly ministry. It is one of those passages which we should always read with peculiar thankfulness. It lifts a corner of the veil which hangs over the world to come, and throws light on some of the deepest truths of our religion. In the first place, this passage shows us something of the glory which Christ will have at His second coming. We read that "the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His clothing was white and glistering," and that the disciples who were with Him "saw His glory." We need not doubt that this marvelous vision was meant to encourage and strengthen our Lord's disciples. They had just been hearing of the cross and passion, and the self-denial and sufferings to which they must submit themselves, if they would be saved. They were now cheered by a glimpse of the "glory that should follow," and the reward which all faithful servants of their Master would one day receive. They had seen their Master's day of weakness. They now saw, for a few minutes, a pattern and specimen of His future power. Let us take comfort in the thought, that there are good things laid up in store for all true Christians, which shall make ample amends for the afflictions of this present time. Now is the season for carrying the cross, and sharing in our Savior's humiliation. The crown, the kingdom, the glory, are all yet to come. Christ and His people are now, like David in the cave of Adullam, despised, and lightly esteemed by the world. There seems no form or loveliness in Him, or in His service. But the hour comes, and will soon be here, when Christ shall take to Himself His great power and reign, and put down every enemy under His feet. And then the glory which was first seen for a few minutes, by three witnesses on the Mount of Transfiguration, shall be seen by all the world, and never hidden to all eternity. In the second place, this passage shows us the safety of all true believers who have been removed from this world. We are told that when our Lord appeared in glory, Moses and Elijah were seen with Him, standing and speaking with Him. Moses had been dead nearly fifteen hundred years. Elijah had been taken up by a whirlwind from the earth more than nine hundred years before this time. Yet here these holy men were seen once more alive, and not only alive, but in glory! Let us take comfort in the blessed thought that there is a resurrection and a life to come. All is not over, when the last breath is drawn. There is another world beyond the grave. But, above all, let us take comfort in the thought, that until the day dawns, and the resurrection begins, the people of God are safe with Christ. There is much about their present condition, no doubt, which is deeply mysterious. Where is their local habitation? What knowledge have they of things on earth? These are questions we cannot answer. But let it suffice us to know that Jesus is taking care of them, and will bring them with Him at the last day. He showed Moses and Elijah to His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, and He will show us all who have fallen asleep in Him, at His second advent. Our brethren and sisters in Christ are in good keeping. They are not lost, but gone before us. In the third place, this passage shows us that the Old Testament saints in glory take a deep interest in Christ's atoning death. We are told that when Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with our Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration, they "talked with Him." And what was the subject of their conversation? We are not obliged to make conjectures and guesses about this. Luke tells us, "they spoke of His decease, which He should accomplish at Jerusalem." They knew the meaning of that death. They knew how much depended on it. Therefore they "talked" about it. It is a grave mistake to suppose that holy men and women under the Old Testament knew nothing about the sacrifice which Christ was to offer up for the sin of the word. Their light, no doubt, was far less clear than ours. They saw things afar off and indistinctly, which we see, as it were, close at hand. But there is not the slightest proof that any Old Testament saint ever looked to any other satisfaction for sin, but that which God promised to make by sending Messiah. From Abel downwards the whole company of old believers appear to have been ever resting on a promised sacrifice, and a blood of almighty efficacy yet to be revealed. From the beginning of the world there has never been but one foundation of hope and peace for sinners — the death of an Almighty Mediator between God and man. That foundation is the center truth of all revealed religion. It was the subject of which Moses and Elijah were seen speaking when they appeared in glory. They spoke of the atoning death of Christ. Let us take heed that this death of Christ is the ground of all our confidence. Nothing else will give us comfort in the hour of death and the day of judgment. Our own works are all defective and imperfect. Our sins are more in number than the hairs of our heads. (Psalm 40:12.) Christ dying for our sins, and rising again for our justification, must be our only plea, if we wish to be saved. Happy is that man who has learned to cease from his own works, and to glory in nothing but the cross of Christ! If saints in glory see in Christ's death so much beauty, that they must needs talk of it, how much more ought sinners on earth! In the last place, the passage shows us the immense distance between Christ and all other teachers whom God has given to man. We are told that when Peter, "not knowing what he said," proposed to make three tabernacles on the mount, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, as if all three deserved equal honor, this proposal was at once rebuked in a remarkable way — "There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, hear Him." That voice was the voice of God the Father, conveying both reproof and instruction. That voice proclaimed to Peter's ear that however great Moses and Elijah might be, there stood One before him far greater than they. They were but servants; He was the King's Son. They were but stars; He was the Sun. They were but witnesses; He was the Truth. Forever let that solemn word of the Father ring in our ears, and give the key-note to our religion. Let us honor ministers for their Master's sake. Let us follow them so long as they follow Christ. But let it be our principal aim to hear Christ's voice, and follow Him wherever He goes. Let some talk, if they will, of the voice of the Church. Let others be content to say, "I hear this preacher, or that clergyman." Let us never be satisfied unless the Spirit witnesses within us that we hear Christ Himself, and are His disciples. Luke 9:37 On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. KJV And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:37-45 - Steven Cole Luke 9:37-42 The Significance of Faith, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 9:37-45 An Addendum of Faith - John MacArthur Here are the parallel passages in the synoptic Gospels... Matthew 17:14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, Mark 9:14+ When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16 And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE MacArthur outlines this section which begins with a descent from a mountain and ends with a demon being cast out of a young boy: Demon Possession (Lk 9:37-39) Disciple Perversion (Lk 9:40-42a) Divine Power (Lk 9:42b) Dazzling Person (Lk 9:43-45) The next day - Time phrase which begs the question when? In context it is the day after Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain. As Wiersbe wisely reminds us "We dare not stay on the glorious mountaintop when there are battles to fight in the valley below." The idea of God coming down (the God-Man Jesus) reminds us of Moses' in Exodus... Exodus 3:8+ “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Comment: Little did the crowd or the disciples for that matter comprehend that this is indeed what Jesus had come down to do, to deliver sinners from the power of sin, Satan and self! Thank You Lord! When they came down (katerchomai) from the mountain, a large crowd met Him - Talk about descending to the "lowlands of reality." Luke alone mentions this descent the next day and it serves to highlight the difference between the future glorious kingdom and the fallen world to which the quartet returned. These three men had seen the King of glory. They had received a preview of coming attractions, the Messianic Kingdom on earth. They saw something no other men had ever seen. So they were coming down in elevation, but surely the were coming down in elation! But they would never forget this time of Jesus' transfiguration. So they come back to reality - a large crowd! Interesting that Luke did not say "met them." The crowd was there for Jesus, not the 3 other disciples. In fact as Mark 9:14 says "the scribes (grammateus) were arguing" with the other 9 disciples. Mark (alone) records that when the large crowd saw Jesus, they were amazed, Mark using the verb ekthambeo (only in Mark - 4 times) which speaks of a "relatively intense emotional state because of something causing great surprise or perplexity." (BDAG) This verb can also mean be overwhelmed, be alarmed (Mk 16:5-6) or be distressed (Mk 14:33) (Cp. thambeo in Mk 1:27; 10:32) In context, the scribes must have been arguing over the failure of the 9 disciples to cure the demonically influenced boy. A T
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Ryle - Luke 9:46-50 WHO WILL BE THE GREATEST The verses we have now read contain two most important warnings. They are directed against two of the commonest evils which are to be found in the Church of Christ. He who gave them knew well what was in the heart of man. Well would it have been for the Church of Christ, if His words in this passage had received more attention! (1) In the first place, the Lord Jesus gives us a warning against pride and self-conceit. We a re told that "there arose a reasoning among the disciples which of them should be the greatest." Astonishing as it may seem, this little company of fishermen and publicans was not beyond the plague of a self-seeking and ambitious spirit. Filled with the vain notion that our Lord's kingdom was to appear immediately, they were ready to wrangle about their place and precedency in it. Each thought his own claim the strongest. Each thought his own deserts and right to honor most unquestionable. Each thought that whatever place was assigned to his brethren, a principal place ought to be assigned to himself. And all this happened in the company of Christ Himself, and under the noon-tide blaze of His teaching. Such is the heart of man. There is something very instructive in this fact. It ought to sink down deeply into the heart of every Christian reader. Of all sins there is none against which we have such need to watch and pray, as pride. It is a pestilence that walks in darkness, and a sickness that destroys at noon-day. No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature. It cleaves to us like our skin. Its roots never entirely die. They are ready, at any moment, to spring up, and exhibit a most pernicious vitality. No sin is so senseless and deceitful. It can wear the garb of humility itself. It can lurk in the hearts of the ignorant, the ungifted, and the poor, as well as in the minds of the great, the learned, and the rich. It is a quaint and homely saying, but only too true, that no pope has ever received such honor as pope "self." Let a prayer for humility and the spirit of a little child, form part of our daily supplications. Of all creatures none has so little right to be proud as man, and of all men none ought to be so humble as the Christian. Is it really true that we confess ourselves to be "miserable sinners," and daily debtors to mercy and grace? Are we the followers of Jesus, who was "meek and lowly of heart," and "made himself of no reputation" for our sakes? Then let that same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus. Let us lay aside all high thoughts and self-conceit. In lowliness of mind, let us esteem others better than ourselves. Let us be ready, on all occasions, to take the lowest place. And let the words of our Savior ring in our ears continually, "He that is least among you all the same shall be great." Luke 9:49 John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us. KJV And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. we saw someone casting out demons Nu 11:27-29; Mk 9:38-40; 10:13,14; Acts 4:18,19; 5:28; 1 Th 2:16; 3 Jn 1:9,10 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:46-56 - Steven Cole Luke 9:49-50 Humility: The Mark of True Greatness, Part 2 - John MacArthur Luke 9:46-56 Humility: An Essential Element for Ministry - John MacArthur Mark has a parallel passage: Mark 9:38-40+ John said to Him, “Teacher (cf John 13:13), we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 “For he who is not against us is for us. A SPIRIT TO AVOID IN KINGDOM WORK John answered and said, "Master (epistates) we saw someone casting out (ekbállō) demons (daimonion) in Your Name; and we tried to prevent (koluo) him because he does not follow (akoloutheo) along with us. Jesus will use the disciple's prideful, jealous response to this man to teach on humility. We tried to prevent is the imperfect tense which means either "we were trying to hinder him" or "we kept (repeatedly) hindering him." In either case, their efforts to hinder this man were sadly and paradoxically a hindrance to the work of God! What a paradox - This strange interloper was able to accomplish what the 12 had been unable to accomplish with the demon possessed boy! For more casting out demons in Your Name see Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6; 4:7, 10, 30; 16:18; 19:13–16. THOUGHT - O, how quickly the flesh loses sight of what is of eternal value for the Kingdom, especially if their method is not exactly like mine! We are all guilty of this sin of comparison and exclusivity from time to time. "That pastor just uses too much distracting alliteration!" or "That pastor never uses helpful alliteration!" You get the point! Leon
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Ryle - In the second place, our Lord Jesus Christ gives us a warning against a bigoted and illiberal spirit. As in the preceding verses, so here, the occasion of the warning is supplied by the conduct of His own disciples. We read that John said to Him, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name — and we forbade him, because he follows not with us." Who this man was, and why he did not associate with the disciples, we do not know. But we do know that he was doing a good work in casting out devils, and that he was doing what he did in the name of Christ. And yet John says, "we forbade him." Very striking is the reply which the Lord at once gave him — "Forbid him not — for he that is not against us is for us." The conduct of John and the disciples on this occasion is a curious illustration of the sameness of human nature, in every age. Thousands, in every period of Church history, have spent their lives in copying John's mistake. They have labored to stop every man who will not work for Christ in their way, from working for Christ at all. They have imagined, in their petty self conceit, that no man can be a soldier of Christ, unless he wears their uniform, and fights in their regiment. They have been ready to say of every Christian who does not see everything with their eyes, "Forbid him! Forbid him! for he follows not with us." The solemn remark of our Lord Jesus Christ, on this occasion, demands our special notice. He pronounces no opinion upon the conduct of the man of whom John speaks. He neither praises nor blames him for following an independent course, and not working with His disciples. He simply declares that he must not be forbidden, and that those who work the same kind of work that we do, should be regarded not as enemies, but allies. "He that is not against us is for us." The principle laid down in this passage is of great importance. A right understanding of it will prove most useful to us in these latter days. The divisions and varieties of opinion which exist among Christians are undeniably very great. The schisms and separations which are continually arising about Church-government, and modes of worship, are very perplexing to tender consciences. Shall we approve those divisions? We cannot do so. Union is strength. The disunion of Christians is one cause of the slow progress of vital Christianity. Shall we denounce, and hold up to public reprobation, all who will not agree to work with us, and to oppose Satan in our way? It is useless to do so. Hard words never yet made men of one mind. Unity was never yet brought about by force. What then ought we to do? We must leave alone those who do not agree with us, and wait quietly until God shall think fit to bring us together. Whatever we may think of our divisions, the words of our Lord must never be forgotten — "Forbid them not." The plain truth is, that we are all too ready to say, "We are the men, and wisdom shall die with us." (Job 12:2.) We forget that no individual Church on earth has an absolute monopoly of all wisdom, and that people may be right in the main, without agreeing with us. We must learn to be thankful if sin is opposed, and the Gospel preached, and the devil's kingdom pulled down, though the work may not be done exactly in the way we like. We must try to believe that men may be true-hearted followers of Jesus Christ, and yet for some wise reason may be kept back from seeing all things in religion just as we do. Above all, we must praise God if souls are converted, and Christ is magnified — no matter who the preacher may be, and to what Church he may belong. Happy are those who can say with Paul, "If Christ be preached, I rejoice, yes and will rejoice," (Phil. 1:18.) and with Moses, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!" (Num. 11:29.) (Luke 9) Luke 9:51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem KJV And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, When the days were approaching for His ascension Lk 24:51; 2 Kings 2:1-3,11; Mark 16:19; John 6:62; 13:1; 16:5,28; 17:11; Acts 1:2,9; Ephesians 1:20; 4:8-11; 1 Ti 3:16; Heb 6:20; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22 He was determined Lk 12:50; Isaiah 50:5-9; Acts 20:22-24; 21:11-14; Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 4:1 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:46-56 - Steven Cole Luke 9:51-56 A Mission of Mercy - John MacArthur Luke 9:46-56 Humility: An Essential Element for Ministry - John MacArthur Related Passages: Isaiah 50:5-9 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. 6I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. 7 For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8 He who vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other; Who has a case against Me? Let him draw near to Me. 9 Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me; Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them. JESUS SETS HIS FACE LIKE FLINT TO JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM When the days were approaching (sumpleroo) for His ascension - This is clearly an expression of time and in the context of Luke's Gospel marks a very important juncture, for from here on we find Jesus setting His sights on accomplishing the mission for which He was sent, to die on the Cross and provide redemption from the penalty of sins for all who would believe on Him. Jesus journeyed toward the Cross with purposeful precision. The phrase when the days... also signifies that some time had elapsed following the events of Lk 9:46-50. THOUGHT - There could well be a play on words by Luke in his uses of the word ascension (analempsis - only here in NT), for as Jesus journeyed toward the Cross, His literal ascension would soon follow (the verb analambano describes His ascension in Acts 1:2, 11, 22+, and is the root of analempsis). See Irving Jensen's overview of the book of Luke with a major turning point at Luke 9:51, Lk 9:51 through Lk 19:27 beginning His last 6 months, primarily in Judea and Perea, which would involve primarily instruction, including many parables, and with about 60% of this section being unique to the Gospel of Luke. H A Ironside entitles Luk 9:51-19:27 "The Savior's Work and Teaching After Leaving Galilee Up to the Entrance Into Jerusalem." John
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Ryle - Let us notice in these verses, the steady determination with which our Lord Jesus Christ regarded His own crucifixion and death. We read that "when the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem." He knew full well what was before Him. The betrayal, the unjust trial, the mockery, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the spitting, the nails, the spear, the agony on the cross — all, all were doubtless spread before His mind's eye, like a picture. But He never flinched for a moment from the work that He had undertaken. His heart was set on paying the price of our redemption, and going even to the prison of the grave, as our surety. He was full of tender love towards sinners. It was the desire of His whole soul to procure for them salvation. And so, "for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame." (Heb. 12:2.) Forever let us bless God that we have such a ready and willing Savior. Forever let us remember that as He was ready to suffer, so He is always ready to save. The man that comes to Christ by faith should never doubt Christ's willingness to receive Him. The mere fact that the Son of God willingly came into the world to die, and willingly suffered, should silence such doubts entirely. All the unwillingness is on the part of man, not of Christ. It consists in the ignorance, and pride, and unbelief, and half-heartedness of the sinner himself. But there is nothing lacking in Christ. Let us strive and pray that the same mind may be in us which was in our blessed Master. Like Him, let us be willing to go anywhere, do anything, suffer anything when the path of duty is clear, and the voice of God calls. Let us set our faces steadfastly to our work, when our work is plainly marked out, and drink our bitter cups patiently, when they come from a Father's hand. Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, the unusual conduct of two of the apostles, James and John. We are told that a certain Samaritan village refused to show hospitality to our Lord. "They did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." And then we read of a strange proposal which James and John made. "They said, Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did?" Here was zeal indeed, and zeal of a most plausible kind — zeal for the honor of Christ! Here was zeal, justified and supported by a scriptural example, and that the example of no less a prophet than Elijah! But it was not a zeal according to knowledge. The two disciples, in their heat, forgot that circumstances alter cases, and that the same action which may be right and justifiable at one time, may be wrong and unjustifiable at another. They forgot that punishments should always be proportioned to offences, and that to destroy a whole village of ignorant people for a single act of discourtesy, would have been both unjust and cruel. In short, the proposal of James and John was a wrong and inconsiderate one. They meant well, but they greatly erred. Facts like this in the Gospels are carefully recorded for our learning. Let us see to it that we mark them well, and treasure them up in our minds. It is possible to have much zeal for Christ, and yet to exhibit it in most unholy and unchristian ways. It is possible to mean well and have good intentions, and yet to make most grievous mistakes in our actions. It is possible to imagine that we have Scripture on our side, and to support our conduct by scriptural quotations, and yet to commit serious errors. It is as clear as daylight, from this and other cases related in the Bible, that it is not enough to be zealous and well-meaning. Very grave faults are frequently committed with good intentions. From no quarter perhaps has the Church received so much injury as from ignorant but well-meaning men. We must seek to have knowledge as well as zeal. Zeal without knowledge is an army without a general, and a ship without a rudder. We must pray that we may understand how to make a right application of Scripture. The word is no doubt "a light to our feet, and a lantern to our path." But it must be the word rightly handled, and properly applied. Let us notice, lastly, in these verses, what a solemn rebuke our Lord gives to persecution carried on under color of religion. We are told that when James and John made the strange proposal on which we have just been dwelling, "He turned and rebuked them, and said, You know not what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Uncourteous as the Samaritan villagers had been, their conduct was not to be resented by violence. The mission of the Son of man was to do good, when men would receive Him, but never to do harm. His kingdom was to be extended by patient continuance in well doing, and by meekness and gentleness in suffering, but never by violence and severity. No saying of our Lord's, perhaps, has been so totally overlooked by the Church of Christ as that which is now before us. Nothing can be imagined more contrary to the will of Christ than the religious wars and persecutions which disgrace the annals of Church history. Thousands and tens of thousands have been put to death for their religion's sake all over the world. Thousands have been burned, or shot, or hanged, or drowned, or beheaded, in the name of the Gospel, and those who have slain them have actually believed that they were doing God service! Unhappily, they have only shown their own ignorance of the spirit of the Gospel, and the mind of Christ. Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that whatever men's errors may be in religion, we must never persecute them. Let us, if needful, argue with them, reason with them, and try to show them a more excellent way. But let us never take up the "carnal" weapon to promote the spread of truth. Let us never be tempted, directly or indirectly, to persecute any man, under pretense of the glory of Christ and the good of the Church. Let us rather remember, that the religion which men profess from fear of death, or dread of penalties, is worth nothing at all, and that if we swell our ranks by fear and threatening, in reality we gain no strength. "The weapons of our warfare," says Paul, "are not carnal." (2 Cor. 10:4.) The appeals that we make must be to men's consciences and wills. The arguments that we use must not be sword, or fire, or prison, but doctrines, and precepts, and texts. It is a quaint and homely saying, but as true in the Church as it is in the army, that "one volunteer is worth ten men who have been pressed into service." Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go. KJV And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. a certain Exodus 19:8; Matthew 8:19-20; John 13:37 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:57-62 Barriers to True Discipleship - John MacArthur Luke 9:57-62 Conflicting Commitments - Bob Deffinbaugh The Cost of Discipleship Luke 9:57-62 - J Ligon Duncan Parallel in Matthew Matthew 8:19-20+ Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Comment - The context for this encounter was Jesus' performing numerous miracles at Capernaum as described in Mt 8:5-18. Matthew records that this was the context in which the scribe approached Jesus to declare his commitment to follow Him. THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS DISCIPLESHIP 101 Leon Morris entitles this last section (Lk 9:57-62) "Wholeheartedness." It is like a follow up session on Luke 9:23-26 to emphasize the cost of following Jesus as a true disciple. Luke 9:57-62 present us with three wanna-be disciples, would-be followers of Jesus. And don't miss the "key word" in this section which is follow (akoloutheo). Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow (akoloutheo) You wherever You go.” Luke 9:59 And He said to another, “Follow (akoloutheo) Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” Luke 9:61 Another also said, “I will follow (akoloutheo)You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” Jesus will use the examples of these three men to emphasize the true cost of following Him. These three men are examples of what hinders people from following Jesus, from obeying the commands in Luke 9:23. MacArthur sums up this section writing that "Jesus had three evangelistic prospects and He set conditions that caused each of them to walk away without eternal life. Now we already know from Luke 9:23 that the standard for coming after Jesus is self-denial, self-sacrifice, and self-submission. You’re at the end of yourself, you have a beatitude-attitude, you are mourning over your sinfulness, you are meek and humble because you understand the bankruptcy of your heart. You hunger and thirst after righteousness to such a degree that you have no clinging to material things, whether they are material comforts, material possessions, or material relationships. It’s that level of desperation that says I have come to the end of myself, I no longer want to associate with myself, it’s beating on my breast that I cry out to God to be merciful to me, a sinner, and to give me Christ as my Lord and my Savior, whom I will joyfully follow for the infinite value that comes to me." (Barriers to True Discipleship)
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Ryle explains, He would have no man enlisted on false pretences. He would have it distinctly understood that there is a battle to be fought, and a race to be run,—a work to be done, and many hard things to be endured,—if we propose to follow Him. Salvation He is ready to bestow, without money and without price. Grace by the way, and glory in the end, shall be given to every sinner who comes to Him. But He would not have us ignorant that we shall have deadly enemies,—the world, the flesh, and the devil, and that many will hate us, slander us, and persecute us, if we become His disciples. He does not wish to discourage us, but He does wish us to know the truth. When I joined the Coast Guard Reserves the recruiter was not exactly honest. Honesty got in the way of their recruitment quotas, so it wasn’t high on their priorities! The recruiter learned that I liked to read, so he told me that there was a library on the base. What he didn’t tell me is that no recruit could go there until he earned the privilege, and that no one could possibly earn the privilege before the sixth week in boot camp, and then it would only be for an hour a week! One guy became the laughingstock of the base when he showed up for boot camp with his fishing pole and water skis, because the recruiter had told him that the base was on an island (true) and that you could fish and water ski there (true, a person might do that, but false if that person was a recruit!). Jesus wasn’t a dishonest recruiter. He wants us to know up front that He is enlisting us in warfare against the powers of darkness, and that warfare is often difficult. If we’re looking for a program where our personal comfort is paramount, we should look elsewhere. Following Jesus must be more important than our personal comfort. (Luke 9:57-62 The Only Way to Follow Jesus) Rod Mattoon - Jesus is responding to the statement made by the man who said, "Lord, I will follow you wherever you go!" Christ brings the man down to planet earth and gives him a dose of reality. Following Him can be very difficult. There were times that Jesus did not have a place to lay His head. Most recruiters tell the people they are trying to convince to sign up with them, all the good, and positive reasons why they should do so. The Lord, however, doesn't do this. Instead, He tells the man the negative aspects of following Him. Why would He do this? Jesus is trying to get this man to count the cost in following Him. He was saying, "You must give up everything for the Son of Man, but you must not give up the Son of Man for anything." He is not telling the man "No, you can't follow me." He wants the man to have a clear picture of what he is facing. The Lord does not need a big baby on his hands or a troublemaker. ILLUSTRATION: One of the famous liberators of Italy was a man named Garibaldi. He set out to liberate Italy and he asked the young people to follow him. "What do you offer?" they asked. He said, "I offer you hardships, hunger, thirst, sickness, suffering, and victory in the noblest cause you ever faced." They counted the cost and followed him. Are you willing to follow Christ? Counting the cost involves three key areas. A. Counting the Cost with Self Counting the cost may involve giving up power, prestige, popularity, or positions. Are you willing to say, "Good-bye" to these things? Are you willing to give up your plans to do the will of God? Are you willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads? If you have not made up your mind, you will struggle in your dedication. You will be inconsistent and unstable because you have not nailed down the identity of your master. You can only serve one. Who will it be? James 1:8—A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Matthew 6:24—No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Jesus willingly gave up His own desires and will to do His Father's will. His quest was not one for prestige, power, and popularity. Instead, He willingly humbled Himself. Philippians 2:5-8... Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. B. Counting the Cost with Society Society can make your path most difficult if you choose to follow Christ. People have that capability of making life miserable for others. Like tiny splinters that infect the finger, there seems to always be a small segment of people that can create stress in your life through misunderstanding, mocking, mischief, being maligned, or being physically man-handled. To some folks, we are like garbage and they treat us like garbage. Unfortunately, some of these people claim to be Christians. 1 Corinthians 4:13—when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. Our job is to be faithful, no matter what society does to us. 1 Corinthians 15:58—Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. C. Counting the Cost of Security and Sacrifices Serving the Lord may involve giving up or doing without things that seem to be precious or give us a sense of security. It may involve financial sacrifice as you give up lucrative careers or material possessions to do what the Lord leads you to do. The lack of a large income can make you feel insecure and somewhat scared. Are you willing to face the insecurity of the unknown? Your sacrifice may also involve what you give to the Lord's work to further the cause of Christ. When we look at the Lord, we find that He gave up financial security to do His Father's will. 2 Corinthians 8:9—For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Other sacrifices made by believers in following Christ may be in the areas of health. Many missionaries have contracted diseases and health problems by serving the Lord in the jungles of foreign countries in order to win people to Christ. They made their bodies a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 (Treasures from the Scripture) Related Resources: All from Gotquestions.org Is “name it claim it” teaching biblical? Are all prosperity preachers charlatans and/or false teachers? Is there power in positive confession? Is the Word of Faith movement biblical? What is the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)? Why are there so many televangelist scandals? What is the prayer of faith? Can Christians live their best life now? - Does God want all His children to be wealthy, and does He tell us that is the way to find happiness? More importantly, is your best life now or is your best life in the world to come? Luke 9:59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." KJV And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Follow me Matthew 4:19-22; 9:9; 16:24 suffer 1 Kings 19:20; Haggai 1:2; Matthew 6:33; 8:21,22 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:57-62 - Steven Cole Luke 9:57-62 Barriers to True Discipleship - John MacArthur Luke 9:59-60 What Is the High Cost of Discipleship? - John MacArthur Parallel in Matthew Matthew 8:21+ Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” WE MUST FORGO RELIGIOUS DUTY FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS And He said to another - Notice Matthew's parallel calls this man a disciple, but don't let that confuse you because disciple was used in the NT in a number of contexts and did not necessarily equate with those who believed in Jesus (e.g., see the action of the "disciples" in John 6:66). Thus physical following and spiritual following are worlds apart (pun intended) and that is what Jesus is teaching in this concluding section of chapter 9. The first man in Lk 9:57 approached Jesus with good intentions led to Jesus' radical description of the cost of those intentions! Now Jesus issues a personal call of discipleship to another man on the road. A T
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Ryle - Luke 9:57-62 THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS - The passage of Scripture we have just read is a very remarkable one. It contains three short sayings of peculiar solemnity, addressed by our Lord Jesus Christ to three different people. We know nothing of the names of those people. We know nothing of the effect which our Lord's words produced upon them. But we need not doubt that each was addressed in the way which his character required, and we may be sure that the passage is specially intended to promote self-inquiry. The first of these sayings was addressed to one who offered to be a disciple unconditionally, and of his own accord. "Lord," said this man, "I will follow you wherever you go" — That offer sounded well. It was a step in advance of many. Thousands of people heard our Lord's sermons who never thought of saying what this man said. Yet he who made this offer was evidently speaking without thought. He had never considered what belonged to discipleship. He had never counted the cost. And hence he needed the grave reply which his offer called forth — "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has not where to lay his head." He must weigh well what he was taking in hand. He must not suppose that Christ's service was all pleasure and smooth sailing. Was he prepared for this? Was he ready to "endure hardness?" (2 Tim. 2:3.) If not, he had better withdraw his application to be a disciple. Let us learn from our Lord's words on this occasion, that He would have all who profess and call themselves Christians reminded that they must carry the cross. They must lay their account to be despised, and afflicted, and tried, like their Master. He would have no man enlisted on false pretenses. He would have it distinctly understood that there is a battle to be fought, and a race to be run — a work to be done, and many hard things to be endured — if we propose to follow Him. Salvation He is ready to bestow, without money and without price. Grace by the way, and glory in the end, shall be given to every sinner who comes to Him. But He would not have us ignorant that we shall have deadly enemies — the world, the flesh, and the devil, and that many will hate us, slander us, and persecute us, if we become His disciples. He does not wish to discourage us, but He does wish us to know the truth. Well would it have been for the Church if our Lord's warning had been more frequently pondered! Many a man begins a religious life, full of warmth and zeal, and by and bye loses all his first love, and turns back again to the world (2 Ti 4:10). He liked the new uniform, and the bounty money, and the name of a Christian soldier. He never considered the watching, and warring, and wounds, and conflicts, which Christian soldiers must endure. Let us never forget this lesson. It need not make us afraid to begin serving Christ, but it ought to make us begin carefully, humbly, and with much prayer for grace. If we are not ready to take part in the afflictions of Christ, we must never expect to share His glory. The second of our Lord's sayings is addressed to one whom Jesus invited to follow Him. The answer He received was a very remarkable one. "Lord," said the man, "allow me first to go and bury my father." The thing he requested was in itself harmless. But the time at which the request was made was unseasonable. Affairs of far greater importance than even a father's funeral demanded the man's immediate attention. There would always be plenty of people ready and fit to take charge of a funeral. But there was at that moment a pressing need of laborers to do Christ's work in the world. And hence the man's request drew from our Lord the solemn reply — "Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." Let us learn, from this saying, to beware of allowing family and social duties to interfere with our duty to Christ. Funerals, and marriages, and visits of courtesy, and the like, unquestionably are not in themselves sinful. But when they are allowed to absorb a believer's time, and keep him back from any plain religious duty, they become a snare to his soul. That the children of the world, and the unconverted, should allow these kind of things to occupy all their time and thoughts is not astonishing. They know nothing higher, and better, and more important. "Let the dead bury their dead." But the heirs of glory, and children of the King of kings, should be men of a different stamp. They should declare plainly, by their conduct, that the world to come is the great reality which fills their thoughts. They should not be ashamed to let men see that they have no time either to rejoice or to sorrow like others who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13.) Their Master's work waits for them, and their Master's work must have the chief place in their hearts. They are God's priests in the world, and, like the priests of old, their mourning must be kept carefully within bounds, (Lev. 21:1.) "Weeping," says an old divine, "must not hinder working," and mourning must not be allowed to run into excess. The third of our Lord's sayings in this passage was addressed to one who volunteered to follow Him, but marred the grace of His offer by interposing a request. "Lord," he said, "I will follow you; but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house." The answer he received shows plainly that the man's heart was not yet thoroughly engaged in Christ's service, and that he was therefore unfit to be a disciple. "Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." We learn from this saying that it is impossible to serve Christ with a divided heart. If we are looking back to anything in this world we are not fit to be disciples. Those who look back, like Lot's wife, want to go back. Jesus will not share His throne with anyone — no, not with our dearest relatives. He must have all our heart, or none. No doubt we are to honor father and mother, and love all around us. But when love to Christ and love to relatives come in collision, Christ must have the preference. We must be ready, like Abraham, if needs be, to come out from kindred and father's house for Christ's sake. We must be prepared in case of necessity, like Moses, to turn our backs even on those who have brought us up, if God calls us, and the path is plain. Such decided conduct may entail sore trials on our affections. It may crush our hearts to go contrary to the opinions of those we love. But such conduct may sometimes be positively necessary to our salvation, and without it, when it becomes necessary, we are unfit for the kingdom of God. The good soldier will not allow his heart to be entangled too much with his home. If he daily gives way to unmanly repinings about those he has left behind him, he will never be fit for a campaign. His present duties — the watching, the marching, the fighting — must have the principal place in his thoughts. So must it be with all who would serve Christ. They must beware of softness spoiling their characters as Christians. They must endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim. 2:3.) Let us leave the whole passage with many searchings of heart. The times are undoubtedly much changed since our Lord spoke these words. Not many are called to make such real sacrifices for Christ's sake as when Christ was upon earth. But the heart of man never changes. The difficulties of salvation are still very great. The atmosphere of the world is still very unfavorable to spiritual religion. There is still need for thorough, unflinching, whole-hearted decision, if we would reach heaven. Let us aim at nothing less than this decision, Let us be willing to do anything, and suffer anything, and give up everything for Christ's sake. It may cost us something for a few years, but great will be the reward in eternity. (Luke 9)