v. 28-30 Jesus took some of the disciples up a mountain and Moses and Elijah appeared. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets.
v. 35 A voice from above said "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him." We should test all things we hear against the Word so that we know what is truth and not be led astray.
v. 37 The next day they came down from the mountain. I would think that after seeing what happened on the mountain they wouldn't want to come down. When you are in the pure peace of God you do not want to leave for anything that this world has to offer. Although if we stay on the mountain top we limit our ability to help others in the valley. We need time for renewal but we always have to come back down.
v. 38-41 The disciples tried to heal the boy and could not even with the power Jesus gave them. Did they doubt that they could do it? I don't know. What I do know is that there are things we will never be able to do in this world that is why it is so important to turn toward God.
v. 44-46 Right after Jesus told the disciples that He was going to be betrayed into the hands of men they started arguing which one of them is the greatest! It seems like this entire time they were not listening to what Jesus had to say, they were only doing what most of us would do today.
v. 47-48 Jesus took a child and had him stand next to Him and said "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me. For he who is least among you all-he is the greatest." This is a world view 180. They apparently needed a child like lesson. Caring for others is a measure of our greatness in the Kingdom.
v. 49-50 The disciples pointed out that someone not in their group was driving out demons in Jesus' name and that they tried to stop him, he is not one of us. This must have been devastating to their pride. The NIV notes say that 9 of the disciples had not been able to remove demons. Here is this man doing what they could not and he wasn't even a disciple. Do not let jealous take hold, it's roots go to the deepest parts and cling on for dear life. There is no room for jealousy in God's kingdom. Not all of us are gifted in the same areas even if we want to be. God gave each of us a gift. If you do not know yours yet you just haven't found it.
v. 51-55 Jesus set out for Jerusalem and went to a Samaritan village and they rejected Him since He was on the way to Jerusalem. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jewish travelers usually went out of their way to avoid Samaritan towns while Jesus just went right on through. The disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the town. Jesus rebuked them and they just went to another town. Jesus did not come to destroy, He came to bring life. Judgment is for God alone. When you are given a course of action, you have to move steadily toward your destination regardless of the hazards that you may encounter.
v. 59-62 Jesus says to a man "Follow Me." The man replied "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Right away there was an excuse. Was it a good reason? Worldly yes, Kingdom no. Jesus responded "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." This is one of the most interesting things for me in the bible. When I was first learning about the bible things seemed so harsh including this one. We only know one side of death and we grieve for loved ones which is only natural. There is another side and how it pertains to the entire Kingdom I do no know but I believe that it is a small part on that side. It is only the beginning of eternity. Jesus says "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Today we do not have to physically leave our home and families most of the time. It is our choice to pick our priority while here on earth. God wants 100%, what percentage will you offer Him?
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