DID JESUS GET DISCOURAGED?

This question came to my mind while reading Luke 9.

Rather than test your recall, let me review some of the events in this chapter:

Ø Vs.12-17

After a period of teaching a crowd of over 5,000, Jesus suggests releasing them so that they can find shelter and food. His apostles respond: “We’re out in the middle of nowhere” [v.12  All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted].  Jesus responds: “You feed them.” They report that all they could round up was five loaves of bread and a couple of fish.  You know the rest of the story!  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed in His apostles? 

Ø V.22

For the first time, Jesus tells His apostles: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive”  CRICKETS!  No questions! No shock!  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed in His apostles?

Ø Vs.28-36

Jesus took Peter, James and John up to the top of a mountain. As Jesus prayed, “the appearance of His face changed and His clothes became blinding white.” Then Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus about what was soon going to happen in Jerusalem!  During this conversation, the apostles were asleep – probably a trancelike state – but as they came to, “they saw Jesus in His glory and the two men standing with Him.” Impulsive Peter immediately spoke up: “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.37-43

“When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them.”  A man had brought his demon-possessed son to be delivered, but the apostles had been unable to care for him. Jesus is CLEARLY disappointed with His apostles!  The emboldened demon created a fuss through the boy, but Jesus delivered him instantly! 

Ø V. 44

Jesus again speaks of His impending future: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands.” But, “They didn’t get what He was saying.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø V.46

In the next verse we learn that “They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.49-50

Immediately after this, “John spoke up, ‘Master, we saw a man using Your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.’ Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.’” Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.51-56

As they continued their journey toward Jerusalem – through Samaria – the locals refused them any measure of hospitality. “When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, ‘Master, do You want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?’ Jesus turned on them: ‘Of course not!’”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.57-62

Along their trip to Jerusalem, three men approached Jesus at different times.

o   The first volunteered to go along with them wherever they went. Jesus informed him that they did not travel in luxury!

o   The next man that came along received the same call that Peter, Andrew, James and John had received: [Jesus speaking] “Follow Me.” But when the man asked for a few days to go and bury his father, Jesus responded: “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God” [v.60 NASB].

o   The third man stepped forward and said: “I’m ready to follow You, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”  [NASB]: “But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

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This was clearly a rough day for Jesus filled with lots of disappointments!

Yet, in the very next chapter, the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go [10:1].

He gave them instructions:

ü Pray!

ü Be careful!

ü Travel light!

ü Don’t loiter!

ü Grant peace to those who offer you lodging!

ü Eat what they set before you!

ü Heal anyone who is sick!

ü If a town rejects you – move on!

ü Don’t be discouraged!  “The one who rejects you, rejects me” [v.16].

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Scholars and leaders who sought to encapsulate our purpose under God, stated clearly in The Westminster Shorter Catechism that MAN’S CHIEF END IS TO GLORIFY GOD AND ENJOY HIM FOREVER!

We did not come into being on our own!

And we are NOT simply the progeny of our parents!

God set all things in motion and observes each of us being formed in our mother’s wombs! 

Does God have a purpose for each of our lives?

Yes! God has a purpose for each life. The Bible teaches that every person is uniquely designed for a reason, and God’s purpose is not limited to a career or ministry but includes spiritual growth, relationships, and personal impact.

Jeremiah 1:5 [GW] states:

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.”

Ephesians 2:10 [NIV]

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

GOD’S PURPOSE IS TO CONFORM US TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, AND TO FULFILL HIS WILL IN OUR LIVES!

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How are you doing at this? 

Do you suppose that Jesus has been disappointed in you?

Are you diligent about pursuing God’s purpose for your life?

Are you consulting with Him daily about how He might like to direct your path?

Are you taking advantage of the situations He may be placing you in to extend His purposes into another person’s life?

Let’s face it! We could all do better. Let’s pray about it:

King of the Universe: Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

I easily forget that You formed me in my mother’s womb!

I wander frequently, thinking that I’m a free agent who controls my own destiny!

But my freedom is to be directed by You!

I do have a free will, but I also have surrendered my life into Your hands!

I want to be of service to You!

Your path is the best path for me to take!

Honoring You will lead me to the deepest satisfaction and joy!

 

You are the Potter.

I am the clay!

My life is in Your hands!

 

You will:

Make me lie down in green pastures,

lead me beside the still waters,

restore my soul,

guide me in paths of righteousness,

always be with me,

comfort me,

prepare a table before me -  even in the presence of my enemies,

anoint my head with oil,

cause my cup to overflow,

characterize my life by goodness and unfailing kindness,

AND

You will welcome me ultimately into the house of the Lord FOREVER!

 

Because of ALL THIS,

I once again surrender myself to You and Your purposes!

Have Your own way, Lord!

Amen.

WHAT IS OUR END GOAL?

Colossians 2:6-7  [NASB]

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

Two brief verses, yet so much implied!

FIRST

This life-changing, transforming relationship begins with receiving Christ Jesus as Lord.  That reflects the opening of one’s heart to receive Jesus as Lord!  Although we don’t understand all of the implications of that when we initially make the decision, we have put our feet on a path that will have massive implications! 

SECOND

Start walking with Him!  This is a dynamic relationship that includes give-and-take.  Open frequent dialogue with Him!  Start and end your day in conversation with Him.  Ask for help or guidance when you need it.  Listen for His warnings and counsel.

THIRD

Engage in the discipleship process enthusiastically.  It helps to have a guide with skin on; someone who can show you the footsteps and explain the reasoning.  Sometimes it is a class, but a one-on-one relationship is most effective.  Someone who can ask you the hard questions and respond reasonably to the tough questions you have!  It inevitably involves engagement with the Word of God!

FOURTH

With time, effort and persistence, you become established in your faith!  This process cannot be rushed!  Other believers will affirm this reality when it begins to show itself.  It must not generate pride or arrogance.  As this goal is reached, we are now eager to help others navigate the early steps of engaging the faith!

FIFTH

This process culminates and is oiled by frequent – nearly constant – expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving to God!  He has orchestrated this entire process and we owe Him everything!  Our worship is a manifestation of our thanksgiving! 

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Where are you in this clear process of maturing in our faith?

Take note:  each step has pitfalls!

1.      Some make the commitment to serve Christ – but then never really start walking with Him.

2.      Others experience the joy of walking with Him, but easily and quickly get drawn back into old patterns of behavior.

3.      It’s very easy to give up if a person doesn’t enter into the process of engaging the Word and growing through accountability.  Spiritual immaturity is common in the American church!

4.      There is no time limit or final test to tell you that you have arrived at spiritual maturity!  It requires great patience and submission.  Too much desire can actually delay this process. 

5.      Reaching spiritual maturity is not the goal!  Too many believers fail to recognize this!  The goal is reproducing the faith you have acquired in a seeking person!  This takes courage and boldness.  The vast majority of American believers have never made it this far!  The joy of walking another person through this process is remarkably satisfying!  It also brings great joy to Jesus!

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 A FEW TAGS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT:

 Ø  Churches make a great deal out of membership!  A long list of questions are usually required with commitments of allegiance to a denomination.  I am hard-pressed to find much in scripture that relates to this process.  I’ve advocated consistently that the only two questions that should be required are:

1.      Are you determined to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength?

2.      Are you persistently purposed to love your neighbors as you love yourself?

 Ø  I grew a great deal over my ministry years.  Eventually I came to the place where after preaching, I made a clear explanation of how to receive Christ as your Savior and Lord!  Answer the question: “How do I become a Christian?”  Make it clear!  Give an opportunity for people to respond!!!!!  Making a public expression of enlisting with Christ helps to set our course and resolve! 

Too many times, a pastor gives a great message and then calls for the offering.  What does this say to new people who might be present?  It’s time to pay the church’s bills?  Are you kidding me?  Where is the call to discipleship?  Where is the opportunity to indicate a public confession? 

Ø  Those who are effective at progressing through the above steps of faith should be recognized.  Not by positions of leadership, however.  Positions of leadership in the church will likely remove them from the crucial interactions with lost people, and instead deploy them to serve the predictable tasks of the local church.  When a pastor recognizes that a person has excelled through discipleship and become a major influencer for Christ, the last thing we want to do is distract them from their soul-saving mission!  There are plenty of others who have not yet matured to this point who can take and count the offering, serve communion, be greeters, and populate the many committees of the church. 

We must think through these things and use wisdom in deploying the assets and resources that God has placed within our influence!  We will be held accountable for the way we utilize our people!