LUKE 9
   Luke 9:1 "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."
    Up until this time, Jesus was doing this just Himself. Now Jesus has empowered the disciples. We see in this sending forth of His
disciples, a sending forth throughout all ages of those who will work for Him.
    Luke 9:2 "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
    Here, again, we see the job God intends for His ministers to do. First, work on their spirit and get them saved and then minister to their
physical needs after they are saved. In the 14th chapter of ST. John beginning with the 12th verse we see that these disciples and the Lord's
ministers today must heal in the name of Jesus. It is not the minister's power that heals or saves, but the name of Jesus Christ.
    Luke 9:3 "And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money;
neither have two coats apiece."
    These ministers are not to be self-sufficient. They are to depend on all of these needs being furnished to them by the people they minister
to. God is their real provider as He moves upon the hearts of the people.
    Luke 9:4 "And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart."
    Luke 9:5 "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a
testimony against them."
    This ministry would be headquartered in each city in someone's home. This is the way it was in early Christianity. They met in homes.
This shaking of the feet, just meant that they had cut all ties with that family.
    Luke 9:6 "And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."
    This was a missionary journey that Jesus sent these disciples on, a training period, while He was on this earth so that after He was gone
away they would know exactly how to go about this.
    Luke 9:7  "Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some,
that John was risen from the dead;"
    Herod has a guilty conscience here. Herod had beheaded John, and now he was tormented by the fact that he may be alive again.
    Luke 9:8 "And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again."
    They could not explain the powers of Jesus, so they used all sorts of excuses how this could be. No mere man could do these things that
Jesus did. They believed that Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah would appear right before Messiah came, and they thought Jesus might be one of
them.
    Luke 9:9 "And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him."
    Herod wanted to see this man that had these miraculous powers that everyone was talking about. I believe He wanted to see Him, but
probably at the same time, feared seeing him in case it was John risen from the grave.
    Luke 9:10  "And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside
privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida."
    "Bethsaida" means house of fish. It was located on one side of the Sea of Galilee. We read earlier how Jesus would go out in a friend's
boat into the middle of the sea to avoid the tremendous crowd which now followed Him wherever He went. He lands, unannounced, here in
Bethsaida so that He can meet privately with His disciples to hear of their journey.
    Luke 9:11 "And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of
God, and healed them that had need of healing."
    Jesus has a short time with the disciples on the sea and at
Bethsaida before the masses of People caught up with Him. Jesus never turned them away. He ministered the word  to them first, and then
took care of their physical needs. The order was always the same, spirit first and flesh second.
    Luke 9:12 "And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that
they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place."
    The disciples are still thinking about the physical needs of the people.
    Luke 9:13 "But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except
we should go and buy meat for all this people."
    This feeding of the multitude is mentioned in all 4 gospels. We know there are many lessons to be learned in it or it would not be
mentioned 4 times. We should never limit God and His possibilities is perhaps one of the most important messages found in this.
    Luke 9:14 "For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company."
    Luke 9:15 "And they did so, and made them all sit down."
    Jesus now has His table spread and has asked his guests to sit.
    Luke 9:16 "Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to
the disciples to set before the multitude."
    We see Jesus dividing (breaking the bread), the next step would be giving the message to His ministers, and the ministers feed the
multitude. Each one feeding the group he has been entrusted with. The first and most important part in the meal that fed this multitude is
the prayer. Then as Jesus broke the bread and fishes, it multiplied.
    Luke 9:17 "And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets."
    As these disciples took care of the people, God provided for their needs, as well. There was a basketful left over for each disciple: It
seems, also, in this meal that it was the same as Jesus breaking the bread, symbolic of His body at the last supper.
    Luke 9:18  "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say
the people that I am?"
    This means that Jesus had removed from the multitude. When He had
finished praying He asked them this important question.
    Luke 9:19 "They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen
again."
    As important as John the Baptist, Elijah. and the prophets were, none of them could save you. Looking at Jesus, they saw a man.
    Luke 9:20 "He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God."
    Matthew 16:16 gives a more explicit answer from Peter, "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God." Jesus replies to Peter that flesh and blood had not revealed this to Peter but the Father.
    Luke 9:21 "And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;"
    The only person then or now who truly knows in his heart who Jesus is, is the one who the Father has revealed it to.
    Luke 9:22 "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
slain, and be raised the third day."
    Jesus has just revealed to them that He is truly the Messiah that they looked for. In the very same breath He tells
them that He will suffer and die at the hands of His Jewish church. The elders, chief priests, and scribes made up the ruling body of the
temple of that day. His own people will reject Him and even crucify Him. His promise to these disciples is that He will rise again on the
third day.
    Luke 9:23  "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me."
    This is a message that no one wanted to hear. It is still an unpopular message today. If we do not take up our cross every day, then we
will not receive our crown and sit with Him in heavenly places. Many teach that if you receive Jesus, there will be nothing but good times.
Our leader suffered. If we are true followers of His, we can expect no better. The walk with Jesus is a walk of denial to worldly things.
    Luke 9:24 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
    We must be willing to give our very life, if necessary. The important life is the eternal life with Him. The few years we live here on the
earth are nothing compared to eternity. We must live and die, staying true to God, so that our eternal life will be spent with Him.
    Luke 9:25 "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"
    We may become very rich in worldly goods and yet lose our soul. It is a terrible trade off to trade perhaps 70 or
80 years of pleasures now for the many thousands of years of all of eternity.
    Luke 9:26 "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall
come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."
    Jesus is the Judge of all the world. If we do not accept Him as our Saviour and Lord now here on earth, He will not recognize us as
belonging to Him then. If we truly believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and hold up His Word, then He will
welcome us into His kingdom. If we do, He will say get away from me, I never knew you. Jesus will declare the true believers (Christians)
in front of His Father and the angels.
    Luke 9:27 "But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of
God."
    We do know that Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of the kingdom of God at the transfiguration. Stephen looked into heaven and saw
the throne of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father just before he was stoned to death.
    Luke 9:28  "And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a
mountain to pray."
    Always, when Jesus went aside He took these three with Him. They seemed to be the closest to Him. Jesus went to the mountain to pray
so that He could pray; in private. We might take a lesson from Jesus in this. The best prayers are the ones we pray in private to God.
    Luke 9:29 "And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering."
    This Light was showing who Jesus really is; the Light of the world. This Light that came from within Jesus was so bright that His
clothes glistened.
    Luke 9:30 "And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:"
    These two Old Testament men represented the law and the prophets.
    Luke 9:31 "Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem."
    These two came to discuss with Jesus the things which were about to happen in Jerusalem. This may have been to help Peter, James, and
John when remembering back that God still has everything under control. These 3 should draw
extra strength from this transfiguration on the mountain top.
    Luke 9:32 "But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and
the two men that stood with him."
    They had been tired and went to sleep. When they woke, they saw this wonderful sight on the mountain: Jesus in all His glory and the
two Old Testament representatives.
    Luke 9:33 "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."
    Peter truly did not know what he said. Moses and Elijah were men, Jesus was God the Son and you do not build tabernacles to men.
    Luke 9:34 "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud."
    Luke 9:35 "And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."
    This is while Peter was speaking that this cloud of the Almighty overshadowed them. When this cloud came so close and they knew this
was the presence of God, it frightened the disciples. All of this should have strengthened them
when their test came. Peter, the one we would expect to be the greatest believer, will, in fact, deny that he even knew Jesus. This should be
proof enough to these three forever of who Jesus is.
    Luke 9:36 "And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of
those things which they had seen."
    They had seen the glory of God the Father overshadow Jesus and God, Himself, tell them that Jesus is His beloved Son and to listen to
whatever He says. Maybe because they assumed no one would believe them and because Jesus told them not to tell it, they did not mention
this until after Jesus' resurrection. Jesus had chosen these three disciples to see things the others had not seen.
    Luke 9:37  "And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him."
    Peter, James, and John had been on the mount with Jesus and had seen Moses and Elijah with Jesus.  This is the next day and Jesus and
the three disciples come down and join the others. Many people have gathered at the foot of the mountain to see Jesus.
    Luke 9:38 "And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only
child."
    He has brought his son to Jesus for help. He cries out loud to get Jesus' attention.
    Luke 9:39 "And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him
hardly departeth from him."
    This is a description of a very severe case of epilepsy.
    Luke 9:40 "And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not."
    Jesus had empowered the disciples to preach and heal and cast out devils. This is a very severe case, and the disciples for some reason
have not been able to cast him out of the boy. This father not giving up easily has brought his son to Jesus.
    Luke 9:41 "And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring
thy son hither."
    Jesus is speaking not only to this man, but to the disciples and to others standing around, as well. Jesus cannot believe how little faith
they really have. Even though He is so disappointed in the amount of faith they have, He still has compassion for the boy and the father and
says bring him to me.
    Luke 9:42 "And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and
healed the child, and delivered him again to his father."
    Immediately, Jesus rebukes the devil in the boy. It comes out and he is totally healed.
    Luke 9:43  "And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which
Jesus did, he said unto his disciples," 
    Luke 9:44 "Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men."
    At the very moment when they can hardly believe the fantastic miracles He does, He abruptly changes the subject and tells them of the
terrible things that are about to happen to Him. They feel as if they are in the presence of Messiah, but would Messiah be destroyed?
    Luke 9:45 "But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask
him of that saying."
    Not only did they not understand, they did not want to hear of these terrible things. If this is Messiah, He must not suffer and He must
overthrow Rome and reign.
    Luke 9:46  "Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest."
    The disciples were not perfect men. Jealousy has arisen among the twelve. They have not really understood what the
Master had tried to tell them, that the life of those who are truly followers of Jesus is a life of self-sacrifice.
    Luke 9:47 "And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,"
    Luke 9:48 "And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me
receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
    Jesus is trying to explain to them that jealousy has no place among His ministers. A little child is humble and receives God with a
humble heart, never questioning. He is saying to the disciples, get your eyes off of yourselves. Those who are good to those who cannot
help themselves are great in the Master's eyes. The one who is willing to work in whatever lowly job there is to do, will be the greatest in
God's sight.
    Luke 9:49  "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."
    John is asking the Master a question that has really raged until now. Can this other denomination be of God? They are not of our inner
circle of members. Look at exactly what he said. The man was casting out devils which is one of the things the Master had told the
disciples to do. So really, there is no error in that. He was doing good instead of evil, which also cannot be looked down upon. Last but
certainly not least, he was doing this in the name of Jesus.  There was no error at all in what he was doing. John, like so many closed
denominations today, thought if he were not of the 12, something had to be wrong with him; and he and others of the disciples rebuked him
for doing good because he was not a disciple. These disciples had missed the message of Jesus. This man, probably, had been one of the
multitude who had followed Jesus and heard His messages. He had taken to heart Jesus' teachings and was going around doing good.
    Luke 9:50 "And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."
    This man is not against Jesus. In fact, he is elevating the name of Jesus every time he ministers. We see again a little jealousy on the part
of the disciples. They believe that they are the only ones that Jesus has given this power. Jesus tells them that there are only two sides to be
on. Those that are for Jesus and those that are against Jesus. They are still in the learning process. They have not been filled with the Holy
Ghost yet. This will come 50 days after Jesus' resurrection on the day of Pentecost, and will guide them to all truth. Their selfish ideas will
fade away after Jesus is crucified and they begin to understand what He had been teaching them.
    Luke 9:51  "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,"
    Jesus was not trying to avoid Jerusalem or the cross. He had a job to do, and He was determined to do it, even at the cost of His life.
    Luke 9:52 "And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready
for him."
    The orthodox Jews of this day really thought of the Samaritans as a very bad race of people who were lost. The Lord did not feel this
way and ministered unto them, as well.
    Luke 9:53 "And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem."
    This feud between the Samaritans and orthodox Jews continued and was heated on both sides. These Samaritans turned Jesus down for
coming to minister, because He was headed for the temple in Jerusalem where they had been forbidden to worship.
    Luke 9:54 "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down
from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?"
    We see here that James and John (sons of thunder) are insulted for Jesus when these Samaritans refuse Him and His message. They are
highly angered that anyone would refuse to listen to Jesus, James and John saw Jesus transfigured and know that He is more than man.
Their anger is not for themselves, but for Him.
    Luke 9:55 "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."
    Luke 9:56 "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to
another village."
    Jesus is the Saviour of the world, not the Destroyer. Jesus healed and delivered, He did not destroy. Jesus had the spirit of love, not hate.
When they refused Him in Samaria, He just went to a Hebrew village close by.
    Luke 9:57  "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."
    The eagerness of a new convert is beautiful, but sometimes they do not take time to consider the cost before they jump. This man has
received Jesus in his heart and is set on fire to follow Jesus.
    Luke 9:58 "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to
lay his head."
    He says I do not have a place where we rest at night. We are wanderers and might stop anywhere for the night.
    Luke 9:59 "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."
    Jesus will not allow us to look back longingly at our old life once we have put our hand to the plow.
    Luke 9:60 "Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."
    Jesus is saying there is no hope for salvation for someone who is already dead. This man has been called to preach and bring people to a
knowledge of God out of darkness and into the Light of life. His call is to make alive, not to bury dead people. The Lord is telling this man
that his duties at home are nothing compared to the call upon his life. The Lord looks upon the heart, and He sees great potential in this
man. Jesus can see inside each of these men and the difference in this man and the previous man is that the first man had a superficial type
of belief that would not stand up under hardship. The second man Jesus knew would bring many into the kingdom of God.
    Luke 9:61 "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my
house."
    When you follow Jesus, you must turn your back on your old worldly life. Many times, we must give up old friends. Families are often
times separated by one person who gets saved. The family does not want to stop drinking, lying, cheating, having parties, and the such.
When you are saved, your way of life changes. Your family and friends, if they are not saved, are still living in sin. When God calls us, we
should not discuss with others whether it is right or not. The call is on you, not your friends or family.
    Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of
God."
    Jesus tells this man that he is not fit for the kingdom of God, if he has begun to work for God and then turns again to his evil life he had
before. God wants people to look ahead toward Him, not back.