January 28, 2020
Upside Down Goals
Luke 9:28–62
Sarah Mackie
Central Truth
We are put in this world not to be remembered for our own deeds, but to serve God and make Him known.
Key Verse | Luke 9:46-48
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."
Luke 9:28–62
The Transfiguration
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, 1 9:31 Greek exodus which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; 2 9:35 Some manuscripts my Beloved listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
Jesus Again Foretells His Death
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus 3 9:43 Greek he said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Who Is the Greatest?
46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us
49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 4 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 5 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus 6 9:60 Greek he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
[1] 9:31 Greek exodus[2] 9:35 Some manuscripts my Beloved
[3] 9:43 Greek he
[4] 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did
[5] 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”
[6] 9:60 Greek he
Dive Deeper | Luke 9:28–62
Who is the greatest? It's not a question that I ask frequently when considering myself. It seems selfish and self-centered. Yet I'm confronted with the reality of having the same mindset as Jesus' disciples.
Growing up, I wanted to be the best, craving recognition and knowing that I mattered. So I tried to be the perfect daughter, student, and athlete. When I got awards or good grades or approval, I told myself that I was the best and deserved to be recognized as such. I applied the same mindset with God. I can remember bargaining with Him that if I did "XYZ," then my life needed to look this way or happen just as I wanted because I was doing so well.
I look at that mindset now, and it seems so foolish. Yet, I still think that way, in a more "mature" way. How could I have thought it okay to try to bargain with God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who knows everything including my many sins, and expect Him to agree with my flawed thinking?
Jesus is quick to confront the flawed thinking of the disciples and me. He points to a child, one who has no status and is at the bottom of social standing and defenseless, as the example of one who is great before God. This goes against what culture says and points to the gospel. Jesus came to serve, to heal the sick, to love children, to show that money and status do not define a person in God's eyes. He goes to the leper, the lame, the adulteress, the blind, the prideful, and the scared and gives them healing and life through His sacrifice on the cross. Life is not about being the greatest in the world's eyes. So let us not boast in our own worth or successes or failures or most-involved-in-church things, but let us boast in Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, which gives us life when we put our trust and faith in Him, so that by grace we can be saved.
Discussion Questions
1. What are you doing in your life that points to you trying to be the greatest?
2. Who or what do you boast about in life? (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)
3. What do you need to confess to community about being the greatest? If you don't have a group of believers around you to do life with, consider joining a Community Group.
4. Serving others is a good way to get out of the self-centered mindset that is easy to fall into. Watermark Urgent Care has open volunteer positions and has been one of the best opportunities for me to grow in humility and serving Jesus (Matthew 25:35-36). Is there a place that you are serving others?
5. What are things you put before Jesus, who is all that you need in life?