Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans Luke 9

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans

Luke 9: 43 -50

Luke 9: 43 -44 While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. ”

Luke 9: 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 9: 46 -47 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.

Luke 9: 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest. ”

Luke 9: 49 -50 “Master, ” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us. ” “Do not stop him, ” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you. ”

The disciples are not having a good chapter

Luke 9 Transfiguration Coming up in Jerusalem Tried to cast a demon out No idea about what’s next Who is the greatest Mad at others

3 act play about power

Act 1 disciples clueless about Jesus saying he was going to be betrayed Acts 2 disciples are arguing about who’s the greatest like a bunch of junior-highers Acts 3 disciples are mad that someone else is casting out demons in Jesus name and they want them to stop

What makes the temptation to power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it’s that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life. Jesus asks, “Do you love me? ” We ask, “Can we sit at your right hand your left hand in your kingdom? ” (Matthew 20: 21). . .

the way things are

settle

Making a purchase Can I afford it? Will it make me happy? Will it fit on my credit card? Will it make me happy for at least 2 minutes?

maintain the status quo a little bit of Jesus on the side

the one who loves the least has the most power

power

who has the power

Luke 4: 18 -19 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

I don’t want to be part of a conversation that excludes the people who Jesus cared about most

power

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets.

It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more, if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

God did not call us to fit in

love people