Luke 9:18-27
Q.1. When did Jesus ask His disciples Whom He was? How did He keep His Messiahship in perspective? – (Lk.9:18-22)
The disciples had witnessed several miraculous signs, including the feeding of five and four thousand, Jesus walking on water, the stilling of the storm, and numerous healings (Lk.8:22-25; 9:12-17 c.f. Mt.14:13-33; 15:32-39). Jesus had taken His disciples to the quietness of Caesarea Philippi, forty kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee, in the foothills of Mount Hermon. He was praying alone in the proximity of His disciples. It was time for them to verbalize their conclusions about His identity (Lk.9:18) Peter had concluded that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Lk.9:20). However, Jesus did not want a premature or sensational response. He not only warned them to keep this truth under wraps but clarified the Old Testament teaching about the Messiah. The fact that this teaching had been widely overlooked by Judaism, ultimately led to the rejection of Jesus – The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised up on the third day (Lk.9:22).
Q.2. What issues should a would-be disciple weigh up before signing up to be a follower of Jesus? – (Lk.9:23-26)
Jesus immediately followed the prediction of His rejection, death, and resurrection, with explaining the demands of being His disciple. Jesus could never be accused of misleading them or us. He taught that all people choosing to follow Him would have to deny themselves and also bear their own cross (figuratively speaking) – 23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it (Lk.9:23-24). Real faith is demonstrated by self-denial and sacrificing of our own ambitions. Though the cost is great, it will ultimately be worth it – 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Lk.9:24-26).
Q.3. How does the context of verse 18 and verses 28-29 help us to understand the statement by Jesus in verse 27? – (Lk.9:18, 28-29)
After this Jesus stated – I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God (Lk.9:27). What did Jesus mean? Each of the synoptic writers recounted this saying differently: Matthew recalled – Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Mt.16:28). Mark recalled – Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power (Mk.9:1). Theologians have given numerous explanations: (i) The resurrection and ascension of Jesus. (ii) The giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (iii) The growth of Christianity. However, the simplest way to understand the statement was that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration that occurred eight days later (Lk.9:27-36 c.f. Mt.17:1-9; Mk.9:1-8), where the glory of King Jesus shone through and was confirmed by the Father (Lk.9:35). The discussion at Caesarea Philippi was set up by Jesus, so His disciples would realize that He was the Messiah. He would first have to bleed and die (Lk.9:22). Jesus was also foreshadowing His reign over His kingdom as the King of Glory (c.f. Mt.16:27-28).