Friday, December 10: Luke 9- Jesus' way of authority and power

I have been thinking and teaching about the authority we have in Jesus lately, so that idea is on my mind. As I came to this chapter, rich in meditation points, my thoughts were captivated by the authority Jesus gives to us as disciples. Allow me to string some vignettes from this chapter together.

Verses 1-6: When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Jesus gave His disciples both power and authority to drive out demons and heal people. Then He sent them out to preach and demonstrate the kingdom of God.  However, this authority and power was not a means to personal gain.  They were allowed to take not bag or food. They ate what people offered them and they had no bag to collect gifts along the way…

Stop number two: Verses 23-25 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Denial of self for the sake of the kingdom is a Jesus principle. I had this image. If I am carrying ‘my cross’, then I don’t have the ability to carry much, if any, worldly stuff. It seems Jesus is saying in the latter two sentences I can seek to gain life or worldly stuff… by inference not both.

Last stop, Verses 9:51-58: As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.

Quick thought… authority and power are not meant to harm people, even those who reject us and, likely by extensions, even those who seek to harm us. I recall Jesus said, “We’re to be turn-the-other-cheek people”. (Mt 5:39)

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

These last two verses reiterate that following Jesus is not about bettering our lives (living more fancifully) in this life. In fact, it might call us to be itinerates, on the move for Jesus, which suggest we need to live (i.e. travel) light.

So where did the Spirit take me with all this? I am wondering about the using of my money and resources.  Accumulating stuff… is that the way of Jesus?

Lord, this is not a comfortable thought.  In fact, it is a difficult challenge. Christmas is not far off and so much of Christmas is driven by commercialism and stuff.  It is too late for this year but I wonder if there is a better way? A more ‘Jesus way’.

Lord, I can feel the internal struggle within me even as I pray this prayer and conclude this time of reading and meditation… Give me strength to get real with this word from You. Amen.