Luke 6:12-26
Q.1. How much focus did Jesus place on the calling of the twelve apostles? What did He call them to do? – (Lk.6:12-16)
Though Jesus would often get up early in the morning and commune with His Father, it is only recorded that He prayed all night, on one occasion (Lk.6:12). This was the night before He called His disciples to follow Him. The selection of the Twelve was very significant. Thus, Jesus later declared – Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve and yet one of you is a devil i.e. ‘false accuser’ (John 6:70). Jesus chose the twelve, including Judas, to fulfil the purposes of God (Lk.6:16). He chose two sets of brothers. This means that one third of the apostles were related to another apostle (Lk.6:14). He chose a tax-collector, and a political zealot (Lk.6:15). He chose them that they might spend time with Him – He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles i.e. ‘sent ones’ (Lk.6:13 c.f. Mk.3:13-16).
Q.2. From where did Jesus draw the crowds? Why were they coming to Him? What was Christ’s mission? – (Lk.6:17-19)
Jesus drew the needy from near and far … from Judea and Jerusalem, and all the way from Tyre and Sidon (Lk.6:17). Jesus healed all who came to Him, and – 18 those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. 19 And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all (Lk.6:18-19). No one else could have done this. This should have alerted them all concerning the Messianic prophecies that they had learnt in the synagogue (Isa.35:5-6; 61:1). Though Jesus healed the people, His major concern was for their spiritual welfare (c.f. Lk.6:20-45; 10:13-16).
Q.3. What is unique about the kingdom of God? How does this world view help those who follow Jesus? – verses 20-26
Most people conclude that when things go wrong, that is a sign of God’s displeasure. Jesus taught the crowds a different world view. He taught that the Kingdom belonged to the poor and oppressed (Lk.6:20-23). He encouraged the people to live for eternity – Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For the same way, their fathers used to treat the prophets (Lk.6:22-23). All who live for the sake of the Son of Man, and even face rejection, will be more than compensated by the rewards in Heaven. Jesus stretched their thinking, so that they could accept all of life – the good and the bad … and could live with the aim to please God and gain His blessing for all of eternity. In fact, Jesus warned that to live in comfort with man’s approval now, is no guarantee of God’s approval (Lk.6:24-26).