JESUS IS GOD’S MESSIAH

Luke 9:18-27 / Keywords 9:20

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

 

 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

9:18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

1. Jesus asked the disciples two questions: “Who do the crowds say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?”. The crowds saw Jesus as a prophet. But the disciples confessed that Jesus was God’s Messiah. Jesus is the promised Messiah people had been waiting for centuries. He is the One who saves us from sin and death. He is the One who gives us eternal life in the kingdom of God. He is the One whom we love, follow, and live for. Jesus is the Messiah and we are to commit our hearts and lives to him.

 

2. According to the prophecy, however, God’s Messiah must suffer and die and then be raised to life from death. He is the suffering Messiah to take away the wages of our sins, but God raises him as the victorious Messiah.

 

3. Jesus’ disciples are those who follow Jesus in his self-denial and his suffering by taking their cross daily. In other words, his disciples are those who follow Jesus in every aspect of their lives. Being Jesus’ disciple is not easy; it involves a struggle against self. But Jesus will clothe his disciples with the glory of the kingdom of God.

 

Prayer Lord Jesus, you are God’s Messiah who died and rose again to forgive us and take us to God’s kingdom. Help me follow Jesus daily.

One Word Who do you say Jesus is?

“YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT”

Luke 9:10-17 / Keywords 9:13

He replied, "You give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish-- unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

9:10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

 

1. The apostles returned from their first preaching journey. Jesus withdrew with them to Bethsaida to give them a mini vacation. But a crowd of 5,000 followed Jesus even to the site. Jesus did not turn them away. Instead, he welcomed them and served them through his teaching and healing. Jesus served them not out of obligation or habit but out of his shepherd’s heart. Jesus saw their needs and gave more than what he had planned. One who has a shepherd’s heart can see the needs of others and is not afraid of self-sacrifice to welcome and serve them.

 

2. Sometime later, the disciples told Jesus to send the crowds away to find food and lodging. To their realistic suggestion, Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Jesus wanted them to learn a few lessons in faith as they would somehow feed the crowds. The disciples had only 5 loaves and 2 fish. But Jesus blessed what they brought, and with it, fed the crowd. Jesus wanted the disciples to learn that God can multiply anything they would give to him for more than they could imagine. God can multiply and use our talents, time, or materials greatly when we give them to him in faith.

 

Prayer Lord, my resources are meager, but take my 5 loaves and 2 fish and use them for your feeding work.

One Word Jesus multiplies

JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE

Luke 9:1-9 / Keywords 9:2

and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

 

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

1. Jesus gave the Twelve spiritual power and authority and sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them to take nothing for the journey so that they could depend only on the Lord, not on material things. They were to leave the town where people did not welcome them, shaking the dust from their feet. They were to move on to other towns where they were received. The Twelve went out, proclaimed the good news, and healed people. Discipleship training is to be evangelistic and practical—preaching the gospel and shepherding the needy (healing). The love of God through the gospel must be proclaimed; it must be practiced through shepherding. When our preaching is not welcomed, we are to move on and go to someone or some other place that is open.

 

2. Herod heard the work of Jesus through the disciples. Herod had beheaded John the Baptist for speaking the truth. In his perplexity, he said, “Who, then, is this?” Herod should have gotten the answer to his question. Who is Jesus? To know him, we must come to him and listen to his teachings. Jesus is the gospel of the kingdom of God; he is the healer from heaven.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for growing us as Jesus’ disciples through preaching and shepherding. Help us know Jesus more.

One Word Walk the walk: preaching and healing

“DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE”

Luke 8:49-56 / Keywords 8:50

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

8:49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

 

1. Jairus had put his faith in Jesus to heal his ill daughter. But when he heard the news of his daughter’s death and bad advice not to bother Jesus anymore, his hope was wiped away. He feared that death was the end. Jairus’ faith was put to the test. Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus wanted him to simply entrust everything into Jesus’ hands. Jesus wanted him to believe that Jesus had power over life and death. Sometimes we can be caught between, “Don’t bother Jesus anymore” and “Just believe.” Faith is to continue having hope in Jesus even in hopeless situations.

 

2. The people at Jairus' house were wailing and mourning for the dead girl. When Jesus told them that the girl was asleep, they laughed at him. Jesus went in with his three disciples and the parents to plant the resurrection faith and make them witnesses of it. At Jesus’ word and touch, the girl’s spirit returned, and she stood up. Jairus received his daughter back from death. Jesus proved that he has power over death. In Jesus, death is not the end. He came to rescue us from the power of sin and death.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for Jesus who came to rescue us from the power of sin and death. Help us just believe.

One Word Just believe

CONSIDER WHAT GOD HAS DONE

Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 / Keywords 7:14

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

 

 Wisdom

7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume,

    and the day of death better than the day of birth.

2 It is better to go to a house of mourning

    than to go to a house of feasting,

for death is the destiny of everyone;

    the living should take this to heart.

3 Frustration is better than laughter,

    because a sad face is good for the heart.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

    but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person

    than to listen to the song of fools.

6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,

    so is the laughter of fools.

    This too is meaningless.

7 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,

    and a bribe corrupts the heart.

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,

    and patience is better than pride.

9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,

    for anger resides in the lap of fools.

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”

    For it is not wise to ask such questions.

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing

    and benefits those who see the sun.

12 Wisdom is a shelter

    as money is a shelter,

but the advantage of knowledge is this:

    Wisdom preserves those who have it.

13 Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

    what he has made crooked?

14 When times are good, be happy;

    but when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one

    as well as the other.

Therefore, no one can discover

    anything about their future.

1. God has made both the good and bad times that we experience throughout life. We naturally desire happy times. Happiness and comfort can sometimes even become an idol. But bad times and difficulties are when we can acquire wisdom and have a proper perspective about God and our earthly life.

 

2. The wise understand that death, mourning, and fasting are all like bad-tasting medicine that is very good for our hearts. These bad times teach us about our mortality (2) and that we ultimately need God to save us from death. Frustration and rebuke are further opportunities to gain wisdom and to sober our hearts. The wise must also guard their hearts (7). The wise are encouraged to be patient, not easily provoked to anger, but to see a matter to the end for that is how the wise grow in wisdom. Although acquiring and growing in wisdom is hard, it preserves those who have it.

 

3. True wisdom and a sober heart lead us to God. When times are good, we are encouraged to be happy. But God has made bad times too. He is in control of both. As you experience bad times, turn your heart to God. You cannot foresee what God will do with it (14) but you can trust that God’s sovereign plan is working for your good (Ro 8:28).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for good and bad times. Grow me in wisdom and faith in you.

One Word God has made good and bad times

WHAT IS GOOD FOR A PERSON IN LIFE?

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 / Keywords 6:12

For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?

 

6:1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,

    yet their appetite is never satisfied.

8 What advantage have the wise over fools?

What do the poor gain

    by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

9 Better what the eye sees

    than the roving of the appetite.

This too is meaningless,

    a chasing after the wind.

10 Whatever exists has already been named,

    and what humanity is has been known;

no one can contend

    with someone who is stronger.

11 The more the words,

    the less the meaning,

    and how does that profit anyone?

12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

1. We usually believe that wealth, possessions, and honor will give us joy and contentment. God will give an abundance of these things to some people. To an observer, they seem to have everything. But God also withholds from them the ability to enjoy these blessings and instead, a stranger enjoys them. The Teacher calls this “another evil.” What good is it to have everything in the world our heart desires but not be able to enjoy them?

 

2. The author gives another example. A person may have many children and a long life. But if the person cannot enjoy his prosperity or receive a proper burial, the person’s end is no better than a stillborn child. Such a child could arguably be better off since it dd not suffer in the world.

 

3. Wealth, possessions, honor, children, or a long life cannot alone give us contentment. Toiling for our mouths never satisfies us (7,9). In this light, even wisdom or knowing how to conduct ourselves can seem pointless (8). The inadequacies of human life are well known, and we cannot contend with God who is stronger than us (10). Who knows what is good for us? God knows! When we delight in him, he will give us the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4).

 

Prayer Father, you alone know what is good for us. Help me to pursue you, instead of worldly things, and live a meaningful life that honors you.

One Word God knows what is good for us

GOD GIVES GLADNESS OF HEART

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 / Keywords 5:19,20

19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

 

Riches Are Meaningless

5:8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

10 Whoever loves money never has enough;

    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

    This too is meaningless.

11 As goods increase,

    so do those who consume them.

And what benefit are they to the owners

    except to feast their eyes on them?

12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,

    whether they eat little or much,

but as for the rich, their abundance

    permits them no sleep.

13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,

14     or wealth lost through some misfortune,

so that when they have children

    there is nothing left for them to inherit.

15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,

    and as everyone comes, so they depart.

They take nothing from their toil

    that they can carry in their hands.

16 This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,

    and what do they gain,

    since they toil for the wind?

17 All their days they eat in darkness,

    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

 

1. We ought not to be surprised by injustice. It is a consequence of sin in the world. Money and wealth never satisfy those who love them. Rather an abundance of wealth and material things makes those who have them even more worried because they are afraid to lose it all. Wealth can end up harming its owners or entirely lost. Whether rich or poor, everyone is born in the same way and wealth cannot prevent death. The Teacher states that this is all a grievous evil.

 

2. Ecclesiastes can feel like a cynical, even nihilistic, reflection about human life. The author repeatedly says that different activities under the sun are all vain, limited, and meaningless. Though Ecclesiastes presents a realistic view of life in a sinful and cursed world, we can find satisfaction when we live under God’s blessing.

 

3. Though life is brief and full of toilsome labor, the Teacher realizes that satisfaction is possible. God’s gift to us is not merely wealth and possessions, but the ability to accept our lot in life and to be happy. Instead of only focusing on life’s limitations, God occupies our hearts with gladness or joy. Through Jesus Christ, we can have true joy and peace from the forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom.

 

Prayer Father, life is hard but thank you for giving us joy in Jesus that surpasses circumstances.

One Word Gladness is God’s gift