Memory – Luke 9.62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God
This past week the Christian church observed Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of forty days of lent; Lenten – refers to the springtime increase of daylight hours. It is a time in the church calendar for Christians to increase their prayer life and reflect on their walk with Christ; it culminates with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. All four Gospels focus on the ministry of Jesus which climaxes with the crucifixion and resurrection of the Christ. This movement toward the cross is particularly evident in the Gospel of Luke. Twice in chapter nine Jesus foretells his death: Let these words sink into your ears: “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (9.22 & 44). Moreover, there is a geographical shift in Jesus’ ministry; from this point forward Jesus leaves the safer harbor of the Galilean countryside and takes the shortest route to Jerusalem where he will be tried and executed. Jesus was safe in Galilee, so why go to Jerusalem where authorities of the Sanhedrin were seeking to permanently silence him? The answer is found in Luke 19.10: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Along the way Jesus encounters increasing opposition. Beginning with Luke 9.51, Luke mentions minimally eight times that Jesus is going to Jerusalem. On eight occasions Jesus is confronted with rejection or outright opposition; beginning with the rejection of the Samaritans in the village through which he was passing. With the clear confession of his impending death and resurrection Jesus invites public and private confrontation. Indeed, this is the fourth reference in this chapter to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Though the disciples do not comprehend the scope of Jesus’ prophecy, Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ nonetheless (9.21); the transfiguration of Jesus when Jesus speaks to Moses and Elijah about his departure and fulfillment at Jerusalem (9.31); Healing the boy with the evil spirit and Jesus’ revelation of his upcoming betrayal (9.44); Jesus sets out for Jerusalem When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem (9.51).
As a prologue to prophetic announcement of his atoning sacrifice, Jesus says that if you are to be his disciple you must take up the cross: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9.23). During this Lenten season you might want to reflect on what being a follower of Jesus means in practice. One of the questions I’ve asked men whom I’ve mentored is “What does it take to stop you?” As you grow in your faith keep in mind that it is God who is at work within you both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2.13). Remember God does not hold you accountable for anything he has not given you, but when you use what you have you may be happily surprised at the results.
William Carey, a 18th & 19th century missionary to India is something of an example. Although Carey never finished our equivalency of high school he taught himself Latin at age 12 and later mastered Greek, Hebrew, French and Dutch in addition to dozens of other languages and dialects. He translated the Bible into 6 languages and portions of it into 29 other languages. He served 41 years in India without a furlough. He helped to found Serampore College, the first Christian college in Asia, which continues to this day. His motto "Expect great things - attempt great things" was married to his dogged tenacity; when asked about running the race, he said "I may not run but I can plod and I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." During the first six years of ministry in India there was not one convert; but as Winston Churchill was to say of this man, "Carey never gave up, never, never, never gave up."
As Holy Week is approaching take to heart encouragement from the author of Hebrews: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12.1-2).
Along the way Jesus encounters increasing opposition. Beginning with Luke 9.51, Luke mentions minimally eight times that Jesus is going to Jerusalem. On eight occasions Jesus is confronted with rejection or outright opposition; beginning with the rejection of the Samaritans in the village through which he was passing. With the clear confession of his impending death and resurrection Jesus invites public and private confrontation. Indeed, this is the fourth reference in this chapter to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Though the disciples do not comprehend the scope of Jesus’ prophecy, Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ nonetheless (9.21); the transfiguration of Jesus when Jesus speaks to Moses and Elijah about his departure and fulfillment at Jerusalem (9.31); Healing the boy with the evil spirit and Jesus’ revelation of his upcoming betrayal (9.44); Jesus sets out for Jerusalem When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem (9.51).
As a prologue to prophetic announcement of his atoning sacrifice, Jesus says that if you are to be his disciple you must take up the cross: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9.23). During this Lenten season you might want to reflect on what being a follower of Jesus means in practice. One of the questions I’ve asked men whom I’ve mentored is “What does it take to stop you?” As you grow in your faith keep in mind that it is God who is at work within you both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2.13). Remember God does not hold you accountable for anything he has not given you, but when you use what you have you may be happily surprised at the results.
William Carey, a 18th & 19th century missionary to India is something of an example. Although Carey never finished our equivalency of high school he taught himself Latin at age 12 and later mastered Greek, Hebrew, French and Dutch in addition to dozens of other languages and dialects. He translated the Bible into 6 languages and portions of it into 29 other languages. He served 41 years in India without a furlough. He helped to found Serampore College, the first Christian college in Asia, which continues to this day. His motto "Expect great things - attempt great things" was married to his dogged tenacity; when asked about running the race, he said "I may not run but I can plod and I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." During the first six years of ministry in India there was not one convert; but as Winston Churchill was to say of this man, "Carey never gave up, never, never, never gave up."
As Holy Week is approaching take to heart encouragement from the author of Hebrews: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12.1-2).
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