What Jesus Did

[Jesus, to the seventy-two disciples:] "Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don't take any money with you, nor a traveler's bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road. Whenever you enter someone's home, first say, 'May God's peace be on this house.' If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place...

 

These were [Jesus'] instructions to [the seventy-two disciples]: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

—Luke 10:2 NLT

Key Thought


So often we wring our hands when messages about how Christians today are so self-centered and selfish. The calls for every believer to be more outreach-focused and evangelistic don't seem to make much difference. At times...

 

Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

—Luke 9:61-62 NLT

Key Thought


Again, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of Kingdom commitment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of the all-surpassing call to follow Jesus. We press on, full speed ahead. When we get diverted, when we lose our way, when we...

 

As [Jesus and the disciples] were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."

—Luke 9:57-58 NLT

Key Thought


Put in cornbread English: Following Jesus is stinking hard sometimes! Following him means giving up our comfortabilities and embracing his way with our whole hearts. He may give us some of those...

 

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

—Luke 9:51-56 NLT

Key Thought...

 

John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group." But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you."

—Luke 9:49-50 NLT

Key Thought


So often our pride manifests itself as group pride. The attitude is, "if we don't do it, then it must not be important." The apostles want their little band of "Jesus followers" to be the primary bunch. Their thinking seems to be...

 

But Jesus knew [the disciples'] thoughts [when they were arguing about who was the greatest], so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."

—Luke 9:47-48 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus turned the whole discussion of greatness upside down. Throughout history, most...

 

Then [Jesus'] disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.

—Luke 9:46 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus had just warned his disciples that he was going to be betrayed (see Luke 9:43-45). Instead of each of them questioning if he might be the offender, they wrestled with their own delusions of grandeur. Rather than following Jesus in the way of the cross, they were looking for their own place in glory. So often our pride and desire to be noticed can blind us...

 

Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power. While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, "Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies." But they didn't know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn't understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

—Luke 9:43-45 NLT

Key Thought


At this moment of glory in...

 

Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power. While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, "Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies."

—Luke 9:43-44 NLT

Key Thought


So often our gaze is diverted from what our primary task truly is. Despite others talking about the many wonderful things Jesus accomplished, he stayed focused on preparing...