Luke 9
January 17, 2010
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This time, it is Jesus’ turn to ask the questions.
“Who do the crowds say that I am?”
More importantly,
“But who do *you* say that I am?”
Do we know who Jesus is? What has He got to do with us? Why is it important that we know and believe that He is the Christ? What has the Christ, or the Messiah of the Jews got to do with us non-Jews?
If we do not know the answers to the above questions, we really should find out, believe in and connect to these answers. After all, we are called *Christians*. Shouldn’t we, at the very least, know the meaning of our own names?
Bible Passage: Luke 9
When we use the word ‘Christ’, let us be like Peter, who knew the full import of what he was saying when he confessed Jesus as the Christ (Anointed One) of God (Luke 9:20). In the parallel record by Matthew, when Peter made this confession, Jesus said that he was blessed
Today, due to the lack of oppression and persecution (in Singapore at least), the words ‘Jesus Christ’ has lost much of its preciousness to the extent that some even use it as a curse. We should, firstly, understand the import of these words to us and with all the gentleness befitting of Christians, explain why we feel uncomfortable with them using the name of God in vain and ask them to stop.
Of course, in order to understand the significance of the words ‘Jesus Christ’, we have to know what it means to us. Maybe the following verse can give us an idea?
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
This was what Peter said in reference to Jesus and clearly, he knows what he is talking about because at that time, he was filled with the Spirit and faced with the Sanhedrin, he would hardly speak hastily. Peter was also the one who saw the transfiguration and later reflected upon it to tell us
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; (2 Pet 16:19)
These prophetic words go back as far as the time in the Garden of Eden when God talked about the Seed of woman which shall bruise the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15) showing us that the prophecy concerning the Anointed One has to do with salvation from sin (i.e. the clutches of the devil).
At this time, were there any Jews or non-Jews?
Hardly, since there were only two humans then.
Meaning to say, the coming of the Anointed One (Christ) is for the salvation of all mankind from the wages of sin so that through His death on the cross, He pays this price for all mankind and delivers us from eternal condemnation; a job that no one else can do.
So now you know why Jesus the Christ is so important to us?
Yes, Pr Chin also stresses that the good tiding of great joy of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, proclaimed by the angels is for ALL PEOPLE (Luke 2:10-11)
Luke 9:1-2 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Isn’t “to cure diseases” similar to “to heal the sick “? If yes, why need to repeat?
May be “to heal the sick” is not referring to curing physical diseases. Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered and said to them,”Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentence.”
Lord Jesus comes to heal the terminal sickness in our spiritual life. We have received His healing by grace. Now we are to do share the gospel of kingdom of God with others.
Luke 9:29-31 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
At 12, Jesus sat amidst the teachers of laws listening and asking questions.
When Lord Jesus was about to embark on the last part of His mission on earth, He continued to listen and learn about the will of His Father for Him.
He learnt in His prayers.
To maintain the health of our spiritual life which is healed by Lord Jesus, prayer is vital.