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Day 120

Luke 9: 44-62 "MORE ABOUT "THE SON OF MAN"

Day 120 – Luke 9

Text: Luke 9: 44-62

MORE ABOUT “THE SON OF MAN”

It must have been very demanding and difficult to be trained as a Disciple by the Lord Jesus Christ! Some may have been attracted by the “glamour” of being identified as a “Disciple” of the famous Jesus Christ, who called Himself, “The Son of Man”.

One of the hardest lessons that The Teacher sought to teach His Disciples was the subject of “suffering”. Luke 9 records the first clear reference to the vicarious suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Son of Man must suffer many things,
and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed,
and be raised the third day.”
Luke 9:22

This teaching on the subject of suffering was appended to Discipleship. The Lord Jesus added,

“If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily,
and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23

From time to time, the Lord Jesus would remind His Disciples that what He had taught concerning suffering held firm. He wanted His Disciples to be as mentally and spiritually prepared as possible when suffering came,

“Let these words sink down into your ears,
for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed
into the hands of men.”
Luke 9:44

The Disciples did not fully understand the strong emphasis that their Master placed on this subject of suffering. They also refrained from asking too many questions.

“But they did not understand this saying,
and it was hidden from them
so that they did not perceive it;
and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.”
Luke 9:45

“THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO DESTROY MEN’S LIVES BUT TO SAVE THEM.” Luke 9:56

Jesus had many more lessons for His Disciples to learn concerning The Son of Man. His rebuke of James and John for the angry and fiery spirit they had was found in this deep statement of truth.

If the Disciples had understood the Lord Jesus at all, they would have realized that there were many fascinating facets of His life that made Him well and truly unique – wondrously so.

1. He was the Son of Man who had the power to forgive sins. Luke 5:24

2. He was the Son of Man who was Lord of the Sabbath. Luke 6:5

3. He was the Son of Man who must suffer many things. Luke 9:22

4. He was the Son of Man who would one day approve of us or be ashamed of us before the Father, and the holy angels. Luke 9:26

5. The Son of Man had a Mission – and that Mission must not be mistaken. He came to save lives, and not to destroy them. Luke 9:56

The Disciples must know their Master much better than they do. They must seek to represent Him well. They must also seek to reflect His Spirit.

The Spirit of the Son of Man was not one that sought to condemn. The Samaritans may not receive Him, and yes, they may even disallow Him to walk through their village. The Disciples must seek to discern their Master’s Spirit. What was that Spirit again?

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles,
He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench…”
Isaiah 42:1-3

THE CULTIVATION OF THE SPIRIT

“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” (Luke 9:55), so declared the Lord Jesus to His Disciples, James and John. In that rebuke was also the challenge to cultivate their spirit so that they reflect the Spirit of their Master better.

There will come many tests along life’s pathway. There will come situations where our natural and undisciplined spirit will yearn to rise to the fore. The good Disciple must reflect that he had been with Jesus. He must reflect the fact that The Master had touched his spirit, and he is now changed – forever!

Discipleship involves the cultivation of the human spirit. The natural human spirit is prone to sinful tendencies. It must be disciplined. It must be discipled, and only then will it reflect the Spirit of the Lord Jesus.

The spirit of condemnation has no place in the life of the Disciple. The spirit of the good Disciple must be like that of the Teacher. It must desire to save men’s lives, and not destroy! Let us ever seek to cultivate our spirit till it reflects that of our Master.