He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” ²³ Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? ²⁶ Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:21-27

We often come upon the crosses of others – people we know, and strangers we meet in our lives – and we do not quite know what to do when they ask us to bear their crosses. Though we are not expected to heap crosses, or suffering upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid out in front of us, we have decisions to make. Should we take them up, and carry them in the name of Christ? Or should we just pass them by? One of the commentaries I read about this text from Luke asks just this question. You see, often we encounter the crosses of others along the way of life. It is our choice what we should do about them as we look to serve the risen Lord. But, we must also be careful not to purposely bring crosses upon ourselves in the service of Christ. Crosses are tricky things. When a cross is laid upon us, to bear ourselves, or to carry for others, we are called to do so willingly with Christ leading the way. But, how many crosses can we carry at one time?

Pastor Dave

“Then Jesus 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 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. ⁵ Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.”  Luke 9:1-6

I wonder how long the journey was for the disciples who have been sent out by Jesus? From the perspective of the Gospel, it must have lasted for many weeks – but for us, the readers, it lasts just the wink of an eye. And, I wonder how successful they were in their ministry?  The text tells us that they told Jesus everything that they had done, but we have no idea what they did except for healing some diseases. Nevertheless, the crowds continue to follow Jesus and the disciples and the miracles and the healings continue. 

Then, in the very next scene, Jesus gives the disciples another opportunity to do marvelous things, but it seems their humanity gets in the way. When asked to feed the multitude of people, 5000 in all, they seem to have forgotten their power and authority that Jesus has commissioned them with.

We cannot forget the power of the Holy Spirit and the work that can be done when life gets us down or gets in the way.  Jesus is always there, in the background of our lives, giving us the Spirit to empower us with the ability to work our own wonders and miracles.

Pastor Dave