Luke Reading (#25)

Take a few minutes to catch up and pray that God would bless you through the reading of His word.

Read Luke 9:1-27

[9:1] And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. [3] And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. [4] And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. [5] And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
[7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, [8] by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. [9] Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.
[10] On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. [11] When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. [12] Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” [13] But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” [14] For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” [15] And they did so, and had them all sit down. [16] And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. [17] And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
[18] Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” [19] And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” [20] Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
[21] And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, [22] saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
[23] And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. [25] For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? [26] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. [27] But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Observation

• What did Jesus give to his disciples (v. 1)? What did he send them out to do (v. 2)?
  • What instructions did he give them (v. 3-5)?
  • What was the result (v. 6)?
• What were some of the theories about who Jesus was (v. 7-8, 19)?
  • What was Herod’s reaction (v. 7, 9)?
  • What did Peter say about who Jesus was (v. 20)?
• What did Jesus do when the apostles returned (v. 10)?
  • What did the crowds do (v. 11)?
  • What crisis arose later in the day (v. 12)?
    • What did the disciples suggest (v. 12)?
    • What did Jesus tell them to do (v. 13)? Why did that not seem like a helpful suggestion?
    • How many men were there (v. 14)? How many women and children?
    • How many loaves and fish did Jesus have (v. 13)? What did he do with them?
    • How much did everyone eat (v. 17)? How much was left over?
• What did Jesus tell them in v. 22 about what must happen to him?
  • What did he tell them about what must happen to anyone who would be his disciple (v. 23)?
    • What reason does Jesus give in v. 24?
    • What reason does Jesus give in v. 26?
    • What question does Jesus ask in v. 25?
    • What promise does Jesus make in v. 27?

Interpretation

• Are Jesus’ instructions in v. 1-6 a guide for modern missionaries?
• What is the meaning and significance of Jesus providing food for the masses?
• What does it mean that Jesus is “the Christ of God”? Why would it be shocking for the Christ to suffer?
• What does it mean for a disciple to pick up his cross daily? What does that tell us about following Jesus?
• What does Jesus mean by v. 27?

Application

• Are there ways that you need to trust Jesus to provide for you?
• What does it mean for you to pick up your cross? How does knowing that Jesus has borne the cross for you make that easier?

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