1 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,470 Well, good morning, everyone. My name is Allison. 2 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:14,250 For those of you who don't know, me and my husband and my 3 00:00:14,260 --> 00:00:17,800 daughter and I have been a part of Courtright for about 10 years 4 00:00:17,810 --> 00:00:20,470 and for seven of those 10 years. I had the privilege. 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,450 Of serving as one of. The pastoral staff and it is 6 00:00:23,460 --> 00:00:25,350 good to be. With you and together this 7 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,110 morning, we are continuing our series in Luke and I. 8 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:32,930 Hope you are well. Rested because on this beautiful 9 00:00:32,940 --> 00:00:35,610 August morning, I'm afraid to tell you we have a bit of an 10 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:39,760 exam this morning now I'm. Not supposed to use the a. 11 00:00:39,770 --> 00:00:44,520 Sword yet in my house school my daughter tells me it's summer 12 00:00:44,530 --> 00:00:46,140 mode. Mom, we're not in school mode 13 00:00:46,150 --> 00:00:48,460 yet so I I hate. To use the word. 14 00:00:48,470 --> 00:00:51,800 Exam. But basically our passage today 15 00:00:51,870 --> 00:00:55,690 brings together everything that we've looked at in the past 9 16 00:00:55,700 --> 00:00:58,700 chapters and over these last nine months. 17 00:00:58,870 --> 00:01:03,880 So hang on, I hope you're ready. This passage is also about 18 00:01:03,890 --> 00:01:08,360 naming and identity. So when I was pregnant with our 19 00:01:08,370 --> 00:01:10,960 daughter Zoe. I had this huge. 20 00:01:10,970 --> 00:01:14,300 Fear that we were never going to be able to come up with a name. 21 00:01:14,470 --> 00:01:17,070 I don't know why I thought that. And I just had. 22 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:19,870 This kind of panic that we would never be able to come up with 23 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:24,090 something. So much so that when I was 24 00:01:24,100 --> 00:01:28,890 pregnant I had this dream one night and like. 25 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:31,290 I said this was this big fear. I felt like this. 26 00:01:31,300 --> 00:01:33,470 Really big deal. This important thing to like 27 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,050 name this person and. Obviously it worked its way. 28 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,600 Into my subconscious because I dreamt about it one night so I 29 00:01:39,610 --> 00:01:43,790 dreamt that I had the baby and I was in the hospital and my 30 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:47,790 mother-in-law came in and in in true dream fashion, it wasn't 31 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:51,090 actually my mother-in-law, it was some other lady and I have 32 00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:53,450 to preface this by saying my mother-in-law would never 33 00:01:53,460 --> 00:01:57,190 actually do this she's wonderful but in my dream I had the baby 34 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,250 I'm in the hospital my mother-in-law comes in and 35 00:01:59,260 --> 00:02:00,890 she's. Like she says, Oh well. 36 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:05,900 We've already named the baby and I said well, but I wanted to 37 00:02:05,910 --> 00:02:07,500 name the baby. She's like, no. 38 00:02:07,650 --> 00:02:09,389 It's too. Late, the baby's already named. 39 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,260 The baby's name is Sweet Potato and I said. 40 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:15,890 I said but I don't want to call the baby sweet potato. 41 00:02:15,900 --> 00:02:17,910 And she said no. Well it's sweet potato pinches. 42 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:22,020 It's already. Done so OK. 43 00:02:22,790 --> 00:02:26,520 I had a good laugh, thankfully realized how crazy that was. 44 00:02:27,010 --> 00:02:30,680 When it actually came time and we did finally settle on her 45 00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:33,210 real name. And that's another story for 46 00:02:33,220 --> 00:02:35,640 another time, some of you might remember. 47 00:02:35,650 --> 00:02:38,460 You like fill out this. Paperwork like you pick a name 48 00:02:38,470 --> 00:02:40,420 and then you write it out and then like a. 49 00:02:40,430 --> 00:02:43,740 Week later we get this. Official document in the mail 50 00:02:43,810 --> 00:02:45,780 and there it is, like there's her name. 51 00:02:45,790 --> 00:02:49,230 And I remember going, oh. But we just picked it like we 52 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:51,020 just. Wrote something down, did they? 53 00:02:51,030 --> 00:02:52,260 Like, is that a lot? It didn't. 54 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:54,540 Feel weighty enough. Somehow. 55 00:02:54,690 --> 00:02:57,200 It felt like there should have been something more, but it 56 00:02:57,210 --> 00:02:58,420 were. Like it worked. 57 00:02:58,430 --> 00:03:01,460 We just picked something and now the government, that's what they 58 00:03:01,470 --> 00:03:03,780 call her. So it was. 59 00:03:03,790 --> 00:03:05,740 It was. This whole thing for me around 60 00:03:05,750 --> 00:03:11,580 naming naming Zoe names are a. Big deal, our identity. 61 00:03:12,030 --> 00:03:14,710 Identifying someone. This is significant. 62 00:03:16,050 --> 00:03:17,880 Switching gears a little bit, I'm. 63 00:03:17,890 --> 00:03:20,360 Pretty sure that whether you are a star. 64 00:03:20,370 --> 00:03:23,640 Wars fan or not, you can answer this. 65 00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:28,370 What is the most famous line in the entire Star Wars franchise? 66 00:03:32,390 --> 00:03:37,850 Luke, I am your father. Do you remember that moment? 67 00:03:38,630 --> 00:03:41,900 It's this huge. Climax Sorry. 68 00:03:41,910 --> 00:03:44,440 Spoiler Yeah, sorry. OK. 69 00:03:44,510 --> 00:03:47,360 If you didn't see it in the 70s, I'm sorry. 70 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:54,730 It's this huge climax moment that I just ruined for some of 71 00:03:54,740 --> 00:04:00,050 you, but that's kind. Of where we are. 72 00:04:00,060 --> 00:04:04,680 This morning in our series, we are at this major climax moment, 73 00:04:04,690 --> 00:04:06,980 this moment of naming and identity. 74 00:04:07,050 --> 00:04:09,360 So we're going to try. To explore a bit about why. 75 00:04:09,370 --> 00:04:14,430 This moment is so significant. What it says about Jesus, What 76 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:17,149 it says about the. Disciples and then ultimately 77 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:20,870 what it might mean for us. So would you pray with me? 78 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:27,250 As we prepare to read this passage, God, we thank you that. 79 00:04:27,260 --> 00:04:31,410 You inspired Luke and helped him to remember these words, to know 80 00:04:31,420 --> 00:04:33,630 these words, so that we could. Hear this? 81 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:39,100 Story so that we could hear more about Jesus and who he is and 82 00:04:39,110 --> 00:04:40,450 the. Disciples as they wrestle. 83 00:04:40,460 --> 00:04:44,330 With that, I pray that as we encounter your word this morning 84 00:04:44,340 --> 00:04:46,850 that you would expand our understanding of. 85 00:04:46,860 --> 00:04:50,830 Who you are that you would draw? Us more deeply to yourself and 86 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:54,570 help us to see you with new eyes and new vision and new. 87 00:04:54,580 --> 00:04:58,150 Depth for we ask this. In your name, Jesus, Amen. 88 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:04,050 So we are in Luke Chapter 9 and I do encourage you to have your. 89 00:05:04,060 --> 00:05:05,890 Bibles out, like I said, actually. 90 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:08,870 This is an open book exam so you can have. 91 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,470 Your Bible with you. For the exam this morning, so 92 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:18,100 Luke Chapter 9 starting at verse 18, once when Jesus was praying 93 00:05:18,110 --> 00:05:21,160 in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them. 94 00:05:21,270 --> 00:05:23,440 Who do the crowds? Say I am. 95 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,330 They replied. Some say John the Baptist, 96 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,160 others say Elijah, and still others that one of the prophets 97 00:05:31,170 --> 00:05:33,140 of long ago has come back to. Life. 98 00:05:33,820 --> 00:05:34,750 But what about? You. 99 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:36,210 He asked. Who do? 100 00:05:36,220 --> 00:05:43,310 You say I am, Peter answered. God's Messiah Jesus strictly 101 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,630 warned them not to tell this to anyone, and he said the Son of 102 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,290 Man must suffer many things. And be rejected by the. 103 00:05:49,300 --> 00:05:51,190 Elders, the chief priests, and the. 104 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,010 Teachers of the law. And he must be killed and on 105 00:05:54,020 --> 00:05:55,950 the. Third day be raised to life. 106 00:05:57,140 --> 00:06:00,530 Then he said to them all, Whoever wants to be my disciple 107 00:06:00,540 --> 00:06:03,410 must deny themselves and. Take up their cross. 108 00:06:03,420 --> 00:06:06,950 Daily and follow me for whoever wants to save. 109 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,200 Their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life? 110 00:06:10,210 --> 00:06:13,880 For me will save it. What good is it for someone to 111 00:06:13,890 --> 00:06:17,850 gain the whole world and yet? Lose or forfeit their very self. 112 00:06:18,750 --> 00:06:22,100 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be 113 00:06:22,110 --> 00:06:25,820 ashamed of them when he comes in His glory, and in the glory of 114 00:06:25,830 --> 00:06:27,980 the Father and of the holy angels. 115 00:06:28,940 --> 00:06:32,300 Truly, I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste 116 00:06:32,310 --> 00:06:33,450 death. Before. 117 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:40,320 They see the Kingdom of God so as we work. 118 00:06:40,330 --> 00:06:43,540 Our way through this passage. I'm going to try. 119 00:06:43,610 --> 00:06:45,220 I'm gonna try. This guy out? 120 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:46,770 This is new for me. Oht Justin. 121 00:06:46,780 --> 00:06:51,150 I've wrecked it already. That was fast, I thought. 122 00:06:51,210 --> 00:06:53,820 I thought I'd at. Least have a few minutes before 123 00:06:53,830 --> 00:06:56,300 I wrecked it. Thank you. 124 00:06:56,310 --> 00:06:59,750 OK, so we're gonna. OK, great. 125 00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:03,830 So right off the bat, why I want to use this today is because. 126 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,350 It's part of my dream to continually turn Sunday mornings 127 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,990 into a big Bible study. I'm sure that's no surprise to 128 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,150 many of you. So I wanted us. 129 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,630 To really be able to. Pay close attention to the 130 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,070 words, which we may or may not be able to do. 131 00:07:16,700 --> 00:07:18,550 But if that's why you've. Got it in front of you. 132 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:20,770 Let's go, let's go. Old school there. 133 00:07:21,020 --> 00:07:22,590 So right. Off the bat, as we. 134 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,410 Begin our passage. Luke gives the reader this clue. 135 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:28,130 That something is going to happen. 136 00:07:28,180 --> 00:07:31,690 Did you catch it? Luke likes to call our attention 137 00:07:31,700 --> 00:07:34,950 to when Jesus is praying, and it's usually. 138 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:36,130 A. A key. 139 00:07:36,140 --> 00:07:37,450 That something is about to happen. 140 00:07:37,460 --> 00:07:40,770 So it starts here once when Jesus was praying. 141 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:44,310 Now earlier in Luke, the first time that we're told he's 142 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:48,870 praying is when the heavens open up and this voice says, this is 143 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,930 my beloved son and I'm so pleased with him. 144 00:07:51,970 --> 00:07:54,370 So that was the first. Occasion we have of Jesus 145 00:07:54,380 --> 00:07:58,790 praying on another occasion. Luke tells us that Jesus would. 146 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,570 Go often to the mountain to pray and after spending a whole night 147 00:08:02,580 --> 00:08:05,230 in prayer one time, he selected 12. 148 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:09,550 Of his disciples to be. Apostles to be sent once so this 149 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,670 praying. Seems to be a catalyst. 150 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,640 For things to come. I really wrecked it on you, 151 00:08:14,650 --> 00:08:16,020 didn't I? We can just skip it. 152 00:08:17,690 --> 00:08:20,540 OK. OHP. 153 00:08:20,550 --> 00:08:26,250 Thank you, William. See, we do need the younger 154 00:08:26,260 --> 00:08:34,480 generation. OK, we'll keep. 155 00:08:34,590 --> 00:08:38,570 Yeah, so Jesus praying this seems. 156 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:41,200 To be a catalyst. For things to come. 157 00:08:41,429 --> 00:08:43,720 As the preacher Fred Craddock writes. 158 00:08:43,850 --> 00:08:44,960 Through a life. Of. 159 00:08:44,970 --> 00:08:48,340 Prayer. Jesus was attuned to God's will. 160 00:08:48,410 --> 00:08:52,950 And empowered to do it. In prayer, Jesus remembers who 161 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,150 God is remembers. Who he? 162 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,210 Is and he gets clarity on moving God's mission forward. 163 00:08:59,260 --> 00:09:07,950 Thank you, friends, thank you. OK, so here. 164 00:09:08,020 --> 00:09:11,460 What were we going to do here? We were going to highlight 165 00:09:11,530 --> 00:09:15,900 praying, OK, But we'll also notice something else in this 166 00:09:15,910 --> 00:09:19,180 first sentence, the beginning opening here. 167 00:09:19,250 --> 00:09:23,020 He was praying in. Private and another translation 168 00:09:23,030 --> 00:09:26,240 says. And only I'm trying to write 169 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:29,500 that only his disciples were with him. 170 00:09:29,510 --> 00:09:33,600 Luke wants to call attention to who is there and who's not 171 00:09:33,610 --> 00:09:36,590 there. And do you remember back in 172 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:40,140 chapter? 8 The Parable of the Sower after 173 00:09:40,150 --> 00:09:41,180 Jesus. Told them this. 174 00:09:41,190 --> 00:09:42,440 Parable. His disciples. 175 00:09:42,450 --> 00:09:45,640 Asked him about it and then they were given this full 176 00:09:45,650 --> 00:09:50,200 interpretation of the parable. In asking, they received so much 177 00:09:50,210 --> 00:09:52,520 more than what the others. Heard they paid. 178 00:09:52,530 --> 00:09:56,160 Attention they drew near they. Asked. 179 00:09:56,570 --> 00:09:57,990 And in that. Parable. 180 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:58,900 The parable. The sower. 181 00:09:58,910 --> 00:10:02,660 We learned about all parables. We learned that sometimes. 182 00:10:02,670 --> 00:10:05,480 Jesus uses parables. As a kind of filter. 183 00:10:05,550 --> 00:10:07,620 As a way to sift people whose hearts are. 184 00:10:07,630 --> 00:10:10,510 Ready to hear and receive the truth and insight? 185 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,590 People who are ready to have that truth take. 186 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:18,850 Root and those who are not yet ready, and Jesus takes care. 187 00:10:18,900 --> 00:10:21,270 For people to hear the. Word when? 188 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,600 They are ready to receive it. There's this concern that if 189 00:10:24,610 --> 00:10:27,630 they hear it when they're not ready, they might hear a little 190 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:30,590 bit, they might think that they understand, but not really, and 191 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,190 then write it off forever. So we have seen Jesus 192 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,660 demonstrate in the past this care that people learn and 193 00:10:37,670 --> 00:10:39,770 receive insight when they are ready. 194 00:10:39,780 --> 00:10:42,890 To receive it. OK, so we're setting the scene 195 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:47,060 again now if we were watching a. Movie there would be this. 196 00:10:47,070 --> 00:10:50,260 Significant scene change from last week to this week. 197 00:10:50,310 --> 00:10:53,940 So remember last week, Lindsey? Preached on the parable or the 198 00:10:53,950 --> 00:10:57,620 passage about feeding the multitude and we would need a. 199 00:10:57,630 --> 00:10:59,800 Really. Wide angle for that passage, 200 00:10:59,810 --> 00:11:03,120 scanning this vast multitude out in the wilderness with Jesus. 201 00:11:03,130 --> 00:11:07,620 There were so many people. But then that scene ends, the 202 00:11:07,630 --> 00:11:11,730 camera fades and now the camera is coming up on a new day and 203 00:11:11,740 --> 00:11:14,280 this time the camera is zoomed right in. 204 00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:16,540 It's. Quiet Jesus is. 205 00:11:16,550 --> 00:11:20,920 Alone, praying and he just has his own disciples nearby. 206 00:11:21,020 --> 00:11:23,800 This scene is intimate. With like tight shots. 207 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:27,670 Jesus and his closest friends, the ones that he's been 208 00:11:27,680 --> 00:11:32,920 training, the ones who he has sent out and from a place of 209 00:11:32,930 --> 00:11:35,120 prayer. And in this place where it's 210 00:11:35,130 --> 00:11:38,310 just them, Jesus asks them a question. 211 00:11:39,310 --> 00:11:42,800 He says who do the crowds say? That I am. 212 00:11:43,580 --> 00:11:45,480 We were just going to highlight that one, too. 213 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,400 There we go. Who did the crowds say? 214 00:11:49,410 --> 00:11:51,680 That I am. This is the first thing that he 215 00:11:51,690 --> 00:11:56,630 asks them, and then they give what might seem like kind of 216 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:01,170 strange answers to us. They say John the Baptist or. 217 00:12:01,180 --> 00:12:04,110 Others say Elijah or others. Think one of the ancient. 218 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:08,470 Prophets, but we've actually. Seen these answers before 2 219 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:10,810 weeks ago Justin called our attention to. 220 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:13,880 Just a few verses. Back in Chapter 9, verse 7 and 221 00:12:13,890 --> 00:12:17,070 8, and in this case we hear about Herod. 222 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:21,130 Herod heard all that was going on and he was perplexed because 223 00:12:21,140 --> 00:12:24,090 some were saying that John had been raised from the dead. 224 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:27,530 Others that Elijah had appeared. And still others that one of the 225 00:12:27,540 --> 00:12:30,410 prophets of long ago had come. Back to life. 226 00:12:30,560 --> 00:12:33,840 So it's the same assumptions. John the Baptist, Elijah or 227 00:12:33,850 --> 00:12:37,120 another prophet so. Clearly, these are the rumors 228 00:12:37,130 --> 00:12:40,710 that are. Going around about Jesus, people 229 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,230 have noticed enough to think, OK, this guy is some kind of. 230 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,580 A prophet, but. We're just not really sure which 231 00:12:46,590 --> 00:12:48,100 one. Now. 232 00:12:48,110 --> 00:12:51,240 John the Baptist was the most recent prophet they'd seen. 233 00:12:51,310 --> 00:12:53,260 And he was. Actually the first prophet. 234 00:12:53,270 --> 00:12:56,560 In hundreds of years. So maybe it's him. 235 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,010 But Herod. Says well, it's not John because 236 00:13:00,020 --> 00:13:01,060 I chopped off his. Head. 237 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,450 So then they go. Well, what about Elijah the 238 00:13:04,460 --> 00:13:06,690 prophet Elijah? He's he's one of the great 239 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:09,030 prophets that we learn about in the Old Testament. 240 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:12,050 And in Second Kings, we learn that Elijah doesn't actually 241 00:13:12,060 --> 00:13:14,650 die. But rather, it's this glorious. 242 00:13:14,660 --> 00:13:19,040 Scene where he's carried off to heaven in a chariot of fire and 243 00:13:19,050 --> 00:13:21,130 then in the very. Last book of the old. 244 00:13:21,140 --> 00:13:23,910 Testament in the Book of Malachi and the. 245 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:28,150 Very last chapter. And the last two verses Malachi 246 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,660 writes, I will send the. Prophet Elijah to you before the 247 00:13:31,670 --> 00:13:33,630 Great. And dreadful day of the Lord 248 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,880 comes, and then 400 years passes, so the. 249 00:13:37,890 --> 00:13:39,660 Last. Word that they were given from 250 00:13:39,670 --> 00:13:43,130 the last prophet before John was that Elijah would return. 251 00:13:43,860 --> 00:13:47,570 So many Jews believed that Elijah would return just before 252 00:13:47,580 --> 00:13:51,500 the Messiah would come. OK, Justin, maybe we can nerd 253 00:13:51,510 --> 00:13:54,460 out a little bit more on the Elijah stuff in the podcast this 254 00:13:54,470 --> 00:13:58,100 week if anyone's really curious. But that was some of the 255 00:13:58,110 --> 00:13:59,620 thinking. That they had about. 256 00:13:59,670 --> 00:14:03,060 Why it might be Elijah that's one of why they were seeing. 257 00:14:03,310 --> 00:14:05,500 So they wonder. If he's John the Baptist, they 258 00:14:05,510 --> 00:14:08,220 wonder if he's Elijah, the one that was supposed to come and 259 00:14:08,230 --> 00:14:11,300 get the stage ready, ready for the Messiah. 260 00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:13,780 And then some people just don't really know what to think, and 261 00:14:13,790 --> 00:14:15,220 they just guess that I don't know. 262 00:14:15,230 --> 00:14:17,590 I think he's just one of those ancient prophets, but they don't 263 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,240 really know which one. They definitely. 264 00:14:20,250 --> 00:14:25,210 Think he's a prophet? Craddock says public opinion is. 265 00:14:25,220 --> 00:14:29,870 That Jesus is the. Forerunner of the Messiah, he's 266 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:33,320 certainly doing some incredible things, so he must be a prophet, 267 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:37,100 but he's not doing all the things we expected a Messiah to 268 00:14:37,110 --> 00:14:39,750 do. And Craddock further explains 269 00:14:39,820 --> 00:14:42,710 that if we say the Messiah hasn't come yet, then we can 270 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:46,610 continue to hold expectations of who the Messiah might be and 271 00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:50,510 what the Messiah might do. An idea of the Messiah made in 272 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,750 our own image. So he's some kind of prophet, 273 00:14:54,550 --> 00:14:59,500 and public opinion is that Jesus is the opening act, the one 274 00:14:59,510 --> 00:15:02,730 preparing the way for someone else to come. 275 00:15:04,250 --> 00:15:08,320 So then he asks his disciples, his closest friends. 276 00:15:08,630 --> 00:15:12,710 He says OK, who do you? Say that I am. 277 00:15:14,950 --> 00:15:17,560 We're going to pause here for a moment and let's think a little 278 00:15:17,570 --> 00:15:20,720 bit about again, taking stock in all of what's come in Luke 279 00:15:20,730 --> 00:15:23,000 before. Let's think about what does the 280 00:15:23,010 --> 00:15:24,690 reader know? Those of us that have. 281 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:28,180 Been reading along in Luke and what might the disciples know at 282 00:15:28,190 --> 00:15:31,790 this juncture? So the reader knows that the 283 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:35,850 Angel Gabriel announced Jesus as the Messiah before he was even 284 00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:39,020 born. The spirit of the Lord appeared 285 00:15:39,030 --> 00:15:40,820 as a. Voice from heaven, as we heard, 286 00:15:40,910 --> 00:15:43,080 declaring Jesus his Son, in whom? 287 00:15:43,090 --> 00:15:46,710 He was well pleased. And even the demons know that 288 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:49,340 Jesus is the Messiah, the Holy One of God. 289 00:15:49,950 --> 00:15:54,020 But what did the disciples know? Just a little while back. 290 00:15:54,090 --> 00:15:59,020 Even John the Baptist, John who knew Jesus from in utero, John 291 00:15:59,030 --> 00:16:02,880 who had been proclaiming a coming Messiah at one time, even 292 00:16:02,890 --> 00:16:06,500 John wasn't sure if Jesus really was the Messiah. 293 00:16:07,180 --> 00:16:12,020 So what are the disciples? To think not long ago when. 294 00:16:12,030 --> 00:16:14,910 Jesus calmed the wild. Storm in fear and amazement, 295 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,480 they ask a similar question to themselves, they say. 296 00:16:17,570 --> 00:16:21,600 Who is this? Even the wind and the. 297 00:16:21,610 --> 00:16:22,840 Sea. Obey him. 298 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,460 From all that they've seen, all that they've witnessed, all that 299 00:16:27,470 --> 00:16:29,350 they've been a part of, who do they think? 300 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,280 He is. And what might you say? 301 00:16:33,740 --> 00:16:36,700 We've been following along, like we said in Luke, for about 9 302 00:16:36,710 --> 00:16:41,150 months now and there have been so many incredible stories. 303 00:16:41,930 --> 00:16:44,230 Is there one that you're particularly drawn to? 304 00:16:44,900 --> 00:16:46,980 Is there an? Aspect of Jesus that. 305 00:16:46,990 --> 00:16:50,960 You find especially compelling? Maybe. 306 00:16:50,970 --> 00:16:55,220 You love epic tales of. Good triumphing over evil. 307 00:16:55,290 --> 00:16:58,200 And so maybe you're captivated. By the stories of Jesus. 308 00:16:58,210 --> 00:17:02,240 Casting out demons. Or the time he cast 1000 demons 309 00:17:02,250 --> 00:17:05,780 out of a man and into a herd of pigs that promptly stormed off a 310 00:17:05,790 --> 00:17:07,960 Cliff. Or. 311 00:17:08,089 --> 00:17:10,500 Or maybe you love to think deeply. 312 00:17:10,550 --> 00:17:15,000 You love to to learn, and maybe you were drawn to Jesus's 313 00:17:15,010 --> 00:17:19,380 teaching in the Sermon on the Plain or how he can express such 314 00:17:19,390 --> 00:17:22,460 profound truths in. Simple ways like with his 315 00:17:22,470 --> 00:17:25,589 parables. Or maybe you're drawn to his 316 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:28,349 healing. Maybe that's something he's done 317 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,110 for you, or you've longed for him to do. 318 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,350 Maybe you notice just how many people around Jesus. 319 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:37,970 Get healed. So many people. 320 00:17:38,810 --> 00:17:42,180 People like the man who was paralyzed and whose friends had 321 00:17:42,190 --> 00:17:43,640 to let him down. Through the roof. 322 00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:48,850 Or the centurion servant who is healed by Jesus at a distance. 323 00:17:49,220 --> 00:17:52,500 Or even Jesus raising two kids from the dead. 324 00:17:53,990 --> 00:17:55,220 Or maybe. You have a heart for. 325 00:17:55,230 --> 00:17:57,600 Worship. Maybe you love the story. 326 00:17:57,610 --> 00:18:01,860 Of the woman who anointed. Jesus, who literally poured out. 327 00:18:01,930 --> 00:18:06,460 Her love and gratitude for him. Or perhaps you have a heart for. 328 00:18:06,470 --> 00:18:10,530 Justice You have concern for those on the margins who haven't 329 00:18:10,540 --> 00:18:14,100 had a fair shot at life, so maybe you noticed Notice the 330 00:18:14,110 --> 00:18:17,140 times that Jesus hung out with and ate a meal with the. 331 00:18:17,150 --> 00:18:19,560 Outcasts those otherwise excluded. 332 00:18:19,570 --> 00:18:23,150 From the rest of society. Or maybe you have the gift of 333 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:25,470 hospitality. Maybe you have even been in a 334 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,070 situation or two where you wondered how you were going to 335 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:33,500 feed the multitude before you. Over these 9 chapters and nine 336 00:18:33,510 --> 00:18:35,690 months, we've been given so many. 337 00:18:35,700 --> 00:18:38,650 Incredible. Glimpses of who Jesus is. 338 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:42,820 Which of these might the disciples be thinking about? 339 00:18:42,830 --> 00:18:46,890 When they answer, what are they going to say and how would I 340 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:50,690 answer? The crowd. 341 00:18:50,700 --> 00:18:56,030 Sees him as a prophet and yes. Absolutely, he is a prophet. 342 00:18:56,340 --> 00:19:00,190 But he is more than a prophet. And what about those stories 343 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:04,220 that we're drawn to? Yes, he can cast out demons, but 344 00:19:04,230 --> 00:19:08,760 he is more than an exorcist. Yes, he's an incredible teacher, 345 00:19:08,770 --> 00:19:10,240 but that's not all. He is. 346 00:19:10,450 --> 00:19:13,240 Yes, he's a great healer and my heart cries. 347 00:19:13,330 --> 00:19:15,840 Oh. That he would do that more, but 348 00:19:15,850 --> 00:19:18,840 he is about more than healing. That's not the full. 349 00:19:18,850 --> 00:19:22,160 Picture. Yes, he's about justice, but 350 00:19:22,170 --> 00:19:25,920 he's about more than this. And he is about lavish, abundant 351 00:19:25,930 --> 00:19:30,280 hospitality and welcome, but he is more than this, too. 352 00:19:30,470 --> 00:19:34,420 All these teacher, preacher, exorcist, healer, host, judge, 353 00:19:34,590 --> 00:19:37,880 point to who he is. But they're all too. 354 00:19:37,890 --> 00:19:40,670 Small to contain the fullness. Of who he is. 355 00:19:41,370 --> 00:19:44,900 And when we hang on to the ones we like and dismiss the ones 356 00:19:44,910 --> 00:19:49,200 we're less comfortable with, we're not really seeing Jesus. 357 00:19:50,570 --> 00:19:54,110 Yes to all of these. And more. 358 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:59,000 And so Peter answers. You are the Christ. 359 00:19:59,070 --> 00:20:00,790 The. Messiah of God. 360 00:20:01,890 --> 00:20:05,430 And it's that answer that encompasses all the other 361 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:07,500 answers and more. The. 362 00:20:07,510 --> 00:20:12,190 Christ or the Anointed 1 gets translated a little differently. 363 00:20:14,360 --> 00:20:17,570 Christ actually is from the Hebrew meaning anointed one, 364 00:20:17,940 --> 00:20:22,110 this one that was long anticipated, the one to come and 365 00:20:22,120 --> 00:20:25,990 make all things right, the one hinted at by the prophets and 366 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:31,010 kings, the one with the answer to the problem of sin, the one 367 00:20:31,020 --> 00:20:34,370 who will set all things right and bring about the Kingdom and 368 00:20:34,380 --> 00:20:35,990 order and. Way of the world, that. 369 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,990 God had in mind from the beginning the one God has 370 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:43,910 appointed, ordained Commission called, anointed to do. 371 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:50,980 This the Christ of God. And notice here that it's Peter. 372 00:20:51,230 --> 00:20:53,450 Here we go. I'm going to switch back to 373 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:56,350 green. It's Peter here that answers, 374 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,190 and often when the Gospel. Writers. 375 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:01,070 How they describe Peter? Whether? 376 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:05,100 It's Simon or Simon Peter or Peter often gives an indication 377 00:21:05,110 --> 00:21:06,710 to us. Of where Peter's. 378 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:10,400 At in his journey and when we see Peter, it's often a sign 379 00:21:10,410 --> 00:21:13,590 that he is becoming more his. Full true self. 380 00:21:13,660 --> 00:21:17,210 A moment of clarity or of understanding about himself and 381 00:21:17,220 --> 00:21:21,400 Jesus and so. Peter rightly says. 382 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:24,270 Well, the crowd thinks that you're the. 383 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:28,330 Precursor, but we see. That you are the main event. 384 00:21:28,540 --> 00:21:33,290 You're it. Messiah, the anointed one of God 385 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:39,750 as entity, right, says profit. He certainly was, but he was not 386 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:44,030 simply pointing to God's Kingdom some way off in the future. 387 00:21:44,380 --> 00:21:47,750 He. Was causing it to appear before 388 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:51,790 people's eyes and was setting in motion the events through which 389 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:57,340 it would become firmly established and so right after 390 00:21:57,350 --> 00:21:59,500 this. Jesus immediately. 391 00:21:59,510 --> 00:22:05,050 Tells them don't tell anyone there was this idea. 392 00:22:05,340 --> 00:22:06,730 I don't think we need the next screen. 393 00:22:07,550 --> 00:22:10,880 OK, strictly warn them to not tell this to anyone. 394 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:15,770 There is this idea. At the time that the someone 395 00:22:15,780 --> 00:22:19,230 should not claim the Messiah ship for themselves that they. 396 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,670 Should first do the works. Of Messiah and then be acclaimed 397 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:26,830 by others and as we've said before Jesus is also really 398 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,890 concerned for people to know the truth when. 399 00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:33,040 They're ready to receive it. We already know that. 400 00:22:33,050 --> 00:22:34,990 People don't think he's the Messiah. 401 00:22:35,630 --> 00:22:37,440 They are ready to see a. Revolution. 402 00:22:37,450 --> 00:22:39,390 A political rebellion, A throwing. 403 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:41,560 Off of the forces of. Occupation. 404 00:22:41,670 --> 00:22:43,880 And they don't see that in Jesus. 405 00:22:44,290 --> 00:22:47,520 They aren't ready to accept him as Messiah, let alone the kind 406 00:22:47,530 --> 00:22:49,520 of Messiah that he's talking about. 407 00:22:49,610 --> 00:22:52,140 And so Jesus says don't tell anyone. 408 00:22:52,450 --> 00:22:56,260 And then he goes on to explain what his version of a Messiah. 409 00:22:56,270 --> 00:22:58,830 Looks like. He tells them what's gonna 410 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:02,280 happen and he defines Messiah Ship on his own terms. 411 00:23:03,220 --> 00:23:05,790 He says the Son of Man must. Undergo great. 412 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:09,650 Suffering now the Son of Man. Is Jesus's favorite way of. 413 00:23:09,660 --> 00:23:12,770 Referring to himself and it itself had messianic 414 00:23:12,780 --> 00:23:16,720 connotations. But the Son of Man must suffer 415 00:23:19,430 --> 00:23:22,600 many things and be rejected. By the elders. 416 00:23:22,650 --> 00:23:25,060 The chief priests and the. Teachers of the law. 417 00:23:25,130 --> 00:23:27,840 And he must be killed. And then on the. 418 00:23:27,850 --> 00:23:33,370 Third day be raised to life. Who is this Messiah that Jesus 419 00:23:33,380 --> 00:23:39,210 is talking about? We know how the story ends, so 420 00:23:39,220 --> 00:23:40,430 it's easier. For us to just. 421 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:43,150 Read those all off and go. Yeah, yeah, that's what's going 422 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:44,770 to happen. But think about. 423 00:23:44,780 --> 00:23:48,470 This This hasn't happened yet. The disciples have no idea, and 424 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:51,070 Jesus has given them incredible precision. 425 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,070 And details for what's. To come, he knows. 426 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:57,170 Where this is headed? How does he know? 427 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:01,790 Was this revealed in prayer? Had he known for a long time and 428 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,740 how would. This sound to the disciples. 429 00:24:04,620 --> 00:24:10,180 Jesus suffering, being rejected, killed and rising again. 430 00:24:10,820 --> 00:24:13,590 He says that's the way that's the way it has. 431 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:16,290 To be for the Messiah, that's the way to conquer. 432 00:24:16,300 --> 00:24:19,290 Death. To expel the darkness, to right 433 00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:21,830 the wrongs, to mend the broken and. 434 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:26,380 Heal the worlds. And that and nothing less was 435 00:24:26,390 --> 00:24:31,500 what was needed from a Messiah. So after saying what's gonna 436 00:24:31,510 --> 00:24:34,160 happen to him, he immediately. Says what? 437 00:24:34,170 --> 00:24:36,940 It's going to mean for those who want to follow him. 438 00:24:39,340 --> 00:24:43,570 Jesus says. The way to follow me is to. 439 00:24:43,580 --> 00:24:48,200 Take up your cross daily. To disregard your own interests. 440 00:24:48,210 --> 00:24:52,350 For the sake of the. Kingdom Plan to live as part of 441 00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:54,500 the redemption plan for the whole world. 442 00:24:54,570 --> 00:24:57,940 But to be part of it. You have to lay down your life 443 00:24:57,990 --> 00:25:02,550 daily now. Luke is unique in emphasizing 444 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,270 this. Take up your cross daily. 445 00:25:06,330 --> 00:25:07,320 This. Word. 446 00:25:07,410 --> 00:25:11,860 Daily, and that emphasizes more. A particular way of. 447 00:25:11,870 --> 00:25:17,080 Living than a particular way of dying, and in Greek there are 448 00:25:17,090 --> 00:25:19,820 different. Words for the word life. 449 00:25:19,870 --> 00:25:24,240 So where are we hearing life in this case? 450 00:25:24,250 --> 00:25:28,900 It's the Greek word called. Psyche, and this emphasizes. 451 00:25:28,910 --> 00:25:32,340 Your ideas about life your. Hopes, your dreams, your 452 00:25:32,350 --> 00:25:36,860 ambitions, as Joel Green writes what Jesus is asking. 453 00:25:36,930 --> 00:25:39,200 Is that people give up their lives. 454 00:25:39,450 --> 00:25:42,800 Their relationships, their conceptions of the world and the 455 00:25:42,810 --> 00:25:45,160 practices that flow from these in. 456 00:25:45,170 --> 00:25:48,860 Order to follow. Him in his unreserved commitment 457 00:25:48,910 --> 00:25:51,130 to the salvific purpose. Of God. 458 00:25:51,900 --> 00:25:55,350 And he concludes saying 1 cannot cling to life and. 459 00:25:55,360 --> 00:25:57,630 Serve the redemptive purposes of. 460 00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:02,250 God and Jesus says rather than this being the way to. 461 00:26:02,260 --> 00:26:06,270 Despair and death. It's actually the way to life. 462 00:26:07,620 --> 00:26:11,290 Laying down our ambitions. Our ideas of life, our. 463 00:26:11,300 --> 00:26:13,760 Self-interest is. Actually the way to. 464 00:26:13,770 --> 00:26:16,920 Experience the fullness of life as it was intended. 465 00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:19,490 Jesus says for. Those who want to. 466 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:21,570 Save their life, will lose. It and. 467 00:26:21,580 --> 00:26:24,500 Those who lose their. Life for my sake will save. 468 00:26:24,510 --> 00:26:28,630 It. Now on to this Jesus adds 469 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:31,880 implications for our possessions and our finances. 470 00:26:32,700 --> 00:26:34,590 Jesus. Uses terms from the world of 471 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:41,290 commerce prophet and forfeit. It's all it's gain in this 472 00:26:41,360 --> 00:26:46,170 translation. These are were words from the 473 00:26:46,180 --> 00:26:47,190 world. Of finance. 474 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:51,350 And so they have implications for our possessions and our 475 00:26:51,360 --> 00:26:57,610 wealth and our power is I reflect on this challenging 476 00:26:57,620 --> 00:27:01,270 teaching, this lay down life. Daily lose your life for the 477 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:05,030 sake of his life It's it's a weighty. 478 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:07,830 Teaching and I can. Think of a couple of. 479 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:12,220 Specific moments in my life when I've tried to follow Jesus in 480 00:27:12,230 --> 00:27:16,210 the midst of a really big and difficult and incredibly costly 481 00:27:16,220 --> 00:27:18,520 decision. There's two particular moments 482 00:27:18,530 --> 00:27:20,650 that stand out for me in this regard. 483 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:22,790 And maybe there were others that I missed. 484 00:27:22,940 --> 00:27:24,950 Or maybe. Others were big decisions to 485 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:27,640 follow Jesus, but they. Just felt more natural. 486 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:32,280 Maybe you are facing some big decisions and he's asking you to 487 00:27:32,290 --> 00:27:33,650 make a. Particular choice. 488 00:27:34,360 --> 00:27:37,570 I don't want to discount the importance of these major life 489 00:27:37,580 --> 00:27:41,340 decisions, but for me, this week I was thinking about the 490 00:27:41,350 --> 00:27:43,780 smaller. The Daily. 491 00:27:43,830 --> 00:27:47,970 Laying down of life choices. What do I do when I wake up? 492 00:27:48,810 --> 00:27:52,100 How do I spend my time? What do I value? 493 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:55,160 What media? Do I consume how do I look out 494 00:27:55,170 --> 00:27:58,300 for myself in my daily life and. What of those ways are? 495 00:27:58,310 --> 00:28:00,960 Appropriate, and what are out of alignment? 496 00:28:01,390 --> 00:28:05,190 How much do I value comfort and people thinking well of me? 497 00:28:06,310 --> 00:28:09,100 Do I live daily? For the sake of Christ and his 498 00:28:09,110 --> 00:28:13,820 Kingdom, or myself? And what does it look like to 499 00:28:13,830 --> 00:28:17,180 even do that? And. 500 00:28:17,230 --> 00:28:20,400 On to this Jesus adds. More. 501 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:27,740 He says those who are. Ashamed of me and my words of 502 00:28:27,750 --> 00:28:29,450 them. The Son of Man will be ashamed 503 00:28:29,460 --> 00:28:33,590 when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of 504 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:38,160 the holy angels, and he write helpfully explains it this way 505 00:28:38,550 --> 00:28:41,350 when the Messiah is. Installed as Judge of God's. 506 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:43,700 World, which was a central. Part of the Jewish. 507 00:28:43,710 --> 00:28:48,170 Expectation, then, only those who have been prepared to follow 508 00:28:48,180 --> 00:28:52,250 him when it was dangerous and shameful to do so will be 509 00:28:52,260 --> 00:28:57,090 acknowledged by him in return. It's costly. 510 00:28:57,790 --> 00:29:01,420 And countercultural and sometimes feels embarrassing and 511 00:29:01,430 --> 00:29:05,240 strange to follow Jesus now, but he says. 512 00:29:05,570 --> 00:29:11,250 That's the way to life. In these final verses, the 513 00:29:11,260 --> 00:29:15,050 tension here between the now and the not yet nature of the 514 00:29:15,060 --> 00:29:17,850 Kingdom is really apparent from the. 515 00:29:17,860 --> 00:29:20,910 First words that Jesus uttered. As He began his earthly 516 00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:24,290 ministry, he's been declaring that the Kingdom of God is at 517 00:29:24,300 --> 00:29:25,890 hand. It's happening. 518 00:29:25,980 --> 00:29:28,850 His order and rule and way of doing things. 519 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:32,880 They are being restored now. Captives have been freed. 520 00:29:32,890 --> 00:29:35,500 The blind see the poor here. Good news. 521 00:29:35,850 --> 00:29:40,560 The power of sin is losing its grip on the world and through 522 00:29:40,570 --> 00:29:43,780 every step. That Jesus takes every word he 523 00:29:43,790 --> 00:29:46,500 utters every. Demon cast out, every sick 524 00:29:46,510 --> 00:29:49,760 person healed, every outcast restored to community happening. 525 00:29:49,810 --> 00:29:53,420 Kingdom is advancing and darkness is receding. 526 00:29:53,650 --> 00:29:55,050 It's. Happening. 527 00:29:55,750 --> 00:29:58,200 And he came to tell the world that it's happening. 528 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:04,270 But one look at the headlines, one painful relationship, one 529 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,630 lingering test result reminds us that there. 530 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:11,440 Is still plenty of darkness. Afoot and in these final verses, 531 00:30:11,450 --> 00:30:15,590 Jesus points to a time when his Kingdom will have full reign. 532 00:30:16,270 --> 00:30:19,040 In Revelation we learned that at that time there will be no more 533 00:30:19,050 --> 00:30:21,450 death or crying or sorrow or pain. 534 00:30:21,910 --> 00:30:23,960 Jesus. Uses this word glory to. 535 00:30:23,970 --> 00:30:30,570 Explain it Glory, glory of the Son of Man. 536 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:34,460 Glory of the Father. And of the holy angels. 537 00:30:36,530 --> 00:30:40,000 And though glory does mean splendor and brightness and 538 00:30:40,010 --> 00:30:45,020 majesty, it also means revelation, when one's true self 539 00:30:45,030 --> 00:30:49,320 and nature is fully revealed, fully on display, fully known. 540 00:30:50,210 --> 00:30:54,460 And so when the fullness of the Kingdom is here, the true nature 541 00:30:54,530 --> 00:30:57,880 of the Son of Man, the true nature of the Father, and the 542 00:30:57,890 --> 00:31:01,880 true nature of the holy angels will be on display in all their 543 00:31:01,890 --> 00:31:04,280 splendor and majesty for all to know. 544 00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:08,050 No more mystery, only majesty made known. 545 00:31:09,300 --> 00:31:16,130 But we live in this tension of the now, yes, and the not yet. 546 00:31:16,600 --> 00:31:19,800 It's happening, It started, we can be part of it. 547 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:26,040 And we have not seen the Kingdom in its fullness yet, which is 548 00:31:26,050 --> 00:31:29,580 perhaps what makes this final statement so confusing. 549 00:31:30,280 --> 00:31:33,510 But truly, I tell you there. Are some standing here who will 550 00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:35,950 not? Taste death before they see the. 551 00:31:35,960 --> 00:31:39,240 Kingdom of God and I'll be honest. 552 00:31:39,310 --> 00:31:41,600 This is a bit. Cryptic and nobody knows for 553 00:31:41,610 --> 00:31:46,140 certain what it means. My best guess is twofold 1. 554 00:31:46,930 --> 00:31:50,920 You got to come back next week. Or you can read ahead. 555 00:31:51,770 --> 00:31:55,340 The next story in Luke is Wild. And it could. 556 00:31:55,350 --> 00:31:57,040 Be that that's part of what? Jesus. 557 00:31:57,050 --> 00:31:59,600 What Jesus is referring to, or maybe it's part of what he's 558 00:31:59,610 --> 00:32:02,660 referring to. But aside from that specific 559 00:32:02,670 --> 00:32:06,880 occasion, I think Jesus is also pointing to the nature of the 560 00:32:06,890 --> 00:32:11,860 now and not yet Kingdom. Yes, now and in this lifetime 561 00:32:11,870 --> 00:32:13,300 before. We die, we get to. 562 00:32:13,310 --> 00:32:15,540 Experience tastes of the Kingdom. 563 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:18,820 It's not just something. Good, that happens when we. 564 00:32:18,830 --> 00:32:20,480 Die. It's about how. 565 00:32:20,490 --> 00:32:23,980 We get to live now the quality, the nature of. 566 00:32:23,990 --> 00:32:26,430 The life. That we get to experience the 567 00:32:26,440 --> 00:32:31,730 Kingdom for us now. And yes, there is much more to 568 00:32:31,740 --> 00:32:35,400 come. I've wrestled with this passage. 569 00:32:35,410 --> 00:32:37,210 And just. Felt the weight of this. 570 00:32:37,220 --> 00:32:42,190 Teaching this is a difficult teaching and as I've wondered. 571 00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:45,570 How are we supposed to live? This two things have come to 572 00:32:45,580 --> 00:32:48,620 mind. The first is a story. 573 00:32:48,630 --> 00:32:52,700 Found in another gospel in this. Case the disciples have also. 574 00:32:52,710 --> 00:32:55,360 Just heard another really difficult teaching. 575 00:32:55,530 --> 00:32:59,280 It's such a hard teaching that many of the disciples, the 576 00:32:59,290 --> 00:33:00,480 people who had been following after. 577 00:33:00,490 --> 00:33:02,650 Jesus. Gave up. 578 00:33:02,700 --> 00:33:05,290 They turned back and left. They couldn't follow him any 579 00:33:05,300 --> 00:33:08,390 longer and then. Jesus turns to the. 12 and he 580 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:11,410 says you don't want to leave. Too, do you? 581 00:33:12,450 --> 00:33:16,240 And once again, in a moment of clarity, Simon Peter says, Lord, 582 00:33:17,070 --> 00:33:20,720 where are we going to go? You have the words of eternal 583 00:33:20,730 --> 00:33:27,800 life, eternal life, abundant whole fullness of life, and 584 00:33:27,810 --> 00:33:30,000 Peter says we have come to believe and to. 585 00:33:30,010 --> 00:33:34,760 Know that you are the. Holy One of God, and sometimes I 586 00:33:34,770 --> 00:33:37,390 relate to this. Sometimes it feels like. 587 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:41,630 This is hard. But where else would I want to 588 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:45,840 go? I believe with Jesus is the way 589 00:33:45,850 --> 00:33:49,480 of life. The second thing that comes to 590 00:33:49,490 --> 00:33:51,620 mind? Is that though these disciples 591 00:33:51,630 --> 00:33:55,980 are alone with Jesus? They are not alone, they have 592 00:33:55,990 --> 00:33:58,690 one another. And they have Jesus. 593 00:34:00,020 --> 00:34:02,750 I don't expect any of us to know how to. 594 00:34:02,760 --> 00:34:05,380 Truly live out this. Teaching that we've heard today, 595 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:10,630 but I think some of the call is for us to wrestle, to struggle, 596 00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:14,909 to wonder, to talk about these things and to do that together. 597 00:34:15,889 --> 00:34:18,380 But that is also a. Call to vulnerability. 598 00:34:19,110 --> 00:34:21,440 It's a call to talk. About things we normally don't 599 00:34:21,449 --> 00:34:26,139 talk about in our culture. To talk about our homes and our 600 00:34:26,150 --> 00:34:31,580 finances, our decisions, our possessions, how we're using 601 00:34:31,590 --> 00:34:33,860 them. How much is enough, How much is 602 00:34:33,870 --> 00:34:36,800 too much. To talk about our time, how we 603 00:34:36,810 --> 00:34:40,600 spend our time, our habits, our addictions, our patterns, the 604 00:34:40,610 --> 00:34:44,100 media we consume and shouldn't, the things we should consume and 605 00:34:44,110 --> 00:34:45,880 don't. The way we. 606 00:34:45,889 --> 00:34:49,370 Love our partners and parents and children and neighbors are 607 00:34:49,380 --> 00:34:50,860 the way. We don't love the annoying. 608 00:34:50,870 --> 00:34:55,320 Ones the attitudes that creep. Up in us, often by surprise when 609 00:34:55,330 --> 00:34:59,360 we see somebody as less than and wonder how we came to think that 610 00:35:00,370 --> 00:35:02,400 these. Brought to light. 611 00:35:03,100 --> 00:35:06,950 Brought to community, wrestled together in prayer with Jesus 612 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:10,170 and with one another that. May be the secret. 613 00:35:10,220 --> 00:35:12,560 To knowing how to take up. Our cross daily. 614 00:35:14,330 --> 00:35:15,660 If you're really not sure where to. 615 00:35:15,670 --> 00:35:17,640 Start I would highly. Recommend the book. 616 00:35:17,650 --> 00:35:20,800 The cost of discipleship. By Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 617 00:35:20,890 --> 00:35:23,680 It's basically a whole book about how to do this. 618 00:35:25,990 --> 00:35:28,320 As many of you know, I spent over a decade. 619 00:35:28,330 --> 00:35:31,160 With university as a campus. Minister and one of the. 620 00:35:31,170 --> 00:35:34,080 Highlights of our year. Was gathering the students. 621 00:35:34,090 --> 00:35:36,810 Together for a week. As soon as exams finished and 622 00:35:36,820 --> 00:35:38,780 before they all spread out for summer. 623 00:35:38,790 --> 00:35:42,160 Jobs we would study the. Gospel of Mark together. 624 00:35:42,230 --> 00:35:46,840 For 8 hours a day for six days. And yes, the students actually 625 00:35:46,850 --> 00:35:51,210 paid to come to this. Now you might think a whole week 626 00:35:51,280 --> 00:35:55,050 almost. 50 hours of the. Book on one by one book of the 627 00:35:55,060 --> 00:35:58,430 Bible and I would say no. That would be silly. 628 00:35:58,620 --> 00:36:01,310 We only get through half of the book in that week. 629 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:05,130 So they come one year for the first half of Mark, and believe 630 00:36:05,140 --> 00:36:07,650 it or not, most of them actually come back the second year for 631 00:36:07,660 --> 00:36:11,590 the second-half of Mark. But after spending all of that 632 00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:15,450 time looking at the life and the person of Jesus, we end the 633 00:36:15,460 --> 00:36:19,770 first half of Mark with the very same parallel passage to this 634 00:36:19,780 --> 00:36:23,360 one in Luke, and we leave the students with a question. 635 00:36:23,690 --> 00:36:26,110 And it's the same one. That Jesus asks. 636 00:36:27,050 --> 00:36:30,320 OK, in light of all. That we have studied. 637 00:36:30,390 --> 00:36:32,690 All that we have learned and seen. 638 00:36:33,530 --> 00:36:37,240 Who? Do you say that I am, and it's 639 00:36:37,250 --> 00:36:40,220 that same question that the passage asks us today. 640 00:36:41,340 --> 00:36:44,310 How do you answer? Who do you say? 641 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:50,390 That I am when I look at Jesus. I love his stories. 642 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:52,200 Of healing. I love the way that. 643 00:36:52,210 --> 00:36:56,110 He touches the untouchables and heals the incurable. 644 00:36:56,180 --> 00:36:59,510 I love the restoration of health and wholeness and community that 645 00:36:59,520 --> 00:37:03,330 follows and I'm. Tempted to see Jesus as a good. 646 00:37:03,340 --> 00:37:05,790 Healer. One that I can ask for, what I 647 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:09,820 want, what needs fixing. But that's not all. 648 00:37:09,830 --> 00:37:11,580 He is. And if I. 649 00:37:11,590 --> 00:37:15,770 Just see Jesus as healer. I'm not really seeing Jesus. 650 00:37:16,640 --> 00:37:21,930 The Christ. The anointed one of God, would 651 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:28,530 you pray with me? God, I thank you for the many. 652 00:37:28,600 --> 00:37:33,620 Ways that you reveal yourself. In these stories, I thank you 653 00:37:33,630 --> 00:37:36,820 for the ways that we get to learn about aspects of who you 654 00:37:36,830 --> 00:37:39,180 are and what your Kingdom is about. 655 00:37:40,390 --> 00:37:43,990 But I pray that you would. Protect us from seeing only a 656 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:46,520 portion of you and thinking that that is all. 657 00:37:47,530 --> 00:37:49,700 Would you help us to know what it means that? 658 00:37:49,710 --> 00:37:53,580 You are the Christ. The anointed one of God, would 659 00:37:53,590 --> 00:37:56,420 you help us to? Would you expand our vision? 660 00:37:56,490 --> 00:37:58,840 Of who you? Are and of what that title 661 00:37:58,850 --> 00:38:03,290 encompasses and would? You draw us to yourself. 662 00:38:03,360 --> 00:38:05,660 And teach us what that means. To follow you. 663 00:38:06,590 --> 00:38:09,660 Teach us what that means. To take up that cross daily, 664 00:38:09,990 --> 00:38:13,100 Would you draw us more? Deeply in community to wrestle 665 00:38:13,110 --> 00:38:15,040 that out and figure that out with one another. 666 00:38:15,050 --> 00:38:18,020 Thank you that you have not left us alone to do that, but that 667 00:38:18,030 --> 00:38:20,560 you give us your spirit and you give us one another. 668 00:38:20,950 --> 00:38:22,360 And so I. Pray that you would. 669 00:38:22,370 --> 00:38:26,220 Expand what you are doing in that regard in us and in our 670 00:38:26,230 --> 00:38:29,820 church community. For your name and glory we pray. 671 00:38:30,140 --> 00:38:30,520 Amen.