Discipleship 101: We Don’t Get It (Luke 9:37-49)

Belgrade URC

After coming down from the mountain where the Transfiguration occurred, Jesus encounters a crowd, including a man whose son is possessed by a demon. The disciples had tried but failed to cast out the demon. Jesus expresses frustration at the faithlessness of the generation, then rebukes the demon, healing the boy and astonishing the crowd with His power.

While people marvel at His miracles, Jesus tells His disciples about His impending betrayal, but they don’t understand what He means. The meaning is hidden from them, and this is not just spiritual blindness as they refuse to inquire about Christ’s prediction.

The disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus responds by taking a child and saying that whoever welcomes a child in His name welcomes Him, and whoever is least among them is the greatest. Just when it seems that Christ made his point then John is upset that someone is casting out demons in Jesus’ name. The problem: the man is not one of them.

The call is for Christians to see that Christ’s kingdom is bigger than they are. His kingdom is for the weak, the broken, and the sinners who need a redeemer.