The disciples received power from Jesus to work miracles, cast out demons, and receive supernatural provision. So they went out and declared the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-6).
But when Jesus asked them to feed 5,000 people, they were unable to (Luke 9:13). They were still relying on natural rather than spiritual provision.
After this, the disciples openly said that Jesus was the Christ. Three of them saw Jesus transfigured (Luke 9:20,28).
But then they were unable to cast out a demon (Luke 9:40).
After this, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to die. But they didn’t believe him (Luke 9:44-45). They doubted one of the most basic principles of the faith.
Then the disciples began arguing over who was going to be the greatest (Luke 9:46).
Then they wanted to start killing people (Luke 9:54).
All of this happened in the same chapter, Luke 9.
The disciples were full of contradictions. On one hand the power of God flowed through them, working miracles. But then they were unable to cast out a demon. They had amazing revelations of Jesus and his glory, but then they were unable to understand the basic fact of his impending death.
Sometimes Christians can be full of contradictions. On one hand they do great exploits for God, but then they fall. They do great miracles, but then they turn around and create big messes. They have great obedience to God, but then they might have great disobedience.
All of this happens because we are imperfect people. We have not yet come into God’s fullness.
When we see contradictions in our brothers and sisters, how should we respond? Should we get mad? Should we throw up our hands in exasperation and give up?
Jesus stayed patient with his disciples, even though they had so many problems. He was patient with them and kept loving them, even when they didn’t understand the most basic truths and were arrogant.
Jesus is patient with you and me, even though we have problems. Let’s be patient, kind, gentle, and loving to others.
Toward the end of Luke 9, Jesus’ disciples met a man who was casting out demons using Jesus’ name. His disciples were upset and forbid this man from doing so, because he wasn’t traveling with Jesus and his disciples. But Jesus said they should not forbid the man.
God has his people all over the world. We don’t know many of God’s people, but they are still faithfully following God. When we meet them we can rejoice in what God is doing in their lives. God has given us his word as a measuring rod, and we discern other Christians and groups by the word of God. When we find that they are obeying the word of God, then we can rejoice at the advancement of God’s kingdom through them.
The Problem of Jerusalem
After these things, Jesus began heading toward Jerusalem. He wasn’t going to be killed in a Gentile city filled with idolaters and atheists. He was going to be murdered in Jerusalem, the city filled with God’s people.God’s people had become God’s worst enemies, seeking to murder his Son.
God’s people fight against God when they deviate from his word. When they stop following God’s word, their religious activity is based on their own ideas. This vain religion is often demonic, even though it uses God’s name. When a prophet comes to show them that their religious practices are wrong, they become irate and even murderous. This is why Jerusalem was such a dangerous place for God’s prophets (Luke 13:33-34).
“The time will come when he who kills you thinks that he is serving God” (John 16:2). Religious hypocrites have ruthlessly killed people throughout history, and they will kill again at the end of the age.
Jesus knew he would face challenges at Jerusalem, but he went there anyway. He knew his Father was calling him to go there, so he prepared to face the challenge (Luke 9:51). He didn’t back down. He didn’t turn aside. He was willing to face the diabolical rage of religious hypocrites, because he was strong and confident. He knew he would come through it all victorious.
Don’t Curse
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples came to a village. The villagers refused to allow Jesus to stay there, and Jesus’ tired disciples became frustrated and angry. They wanted to call down fire from heaven and kill these villagers (Luke 9:54).
Jesus’ disciples were reacting to a difficult situation with a harshness that was not according to God. They were very judgmental, and they were operating in the flesh.
God said that we should not curse people (Romans 12:14). Cursing is a spiritual operation, and when we try to curse someone, it is not according to the will of God. Attempts to engage spiritual power apart from God’s will are witchcraft. This is why Jesus told his disciples that they didn’t know they were being inspired by an evil spirit (Luke 9:55).
Jesus was merciful to the village, and so he and his disciples trudged along to another place.
We cannot rely on the flesh when we are serving God. We must rely on the Holy Spirit. He is our help and our provision. When others disobey God, they cannot prevent us from fulfilling our calling. God will make a way. We must stay in the Spirit and not revert to the flesh when we become tired or frustrated.
At the end of Luke chapter 9, Jesus warns those who want to follow him that life with him wouldn’t be easy. They may not have a house to stay in (Luke 9:58). They may have to forgo family duties and be uncomfortable. They might even die.
Jesus wants us to count the cost of following him (Luke 14:27-33). He doesn’t want us to start and then turn back when things get hard. If we set our hand to the plow, we should not turn back (Luke 9:62). Whenever we get a word from God, we should keep moving forward.
God has a plan for each of our lives. He will give us grace to fulfill that plan. As we live and walk in the Spirit, this plan will come to pass. We can overcome contradictions in our lives and in the lives of others through the grace of God. As we do, we will mature spiritually, and God’s kingdom will come through us.
Lincoln House Churches 