The Servant Messiah 16
Announcing The Cross - Luke 9:1-17
The time was approaching for Messiah to announce the second stage of the good news, but he knew that it would not be well received. Messiah wants the Twelve to have some first hand experiences of their own. They need to feel that they are divinely chosen and divinely empowered. He sends them out on a mission to heal and preach that the kingdom of God is at hand. Their work was so effective that Herod heard about it. The crowds themselves were so expectant that they gathered in large groups searching for the Messiah. They followed him far from their homes. Messiah’s compassion flowed continually. He welcomed them, he healed many, and he preached about the nearness of the Kingdom of God. They stayed so long and were so far away from places to buy food. Messiah’s compassion reached a high level. He multiplied the loaves and fishes to provide food for 5,000. This was the climax of power, this was the fullness of compassion. The twelve were ready for the greater and higher revelation.
Messiah took them off by themselves. There was personal prayer and discussion. How did the multitudes feel about him? They felt that he was one of the greatest prophets. How did the Twelve feel about him? They had had experiences which the multitudes had not had. They had seen events which the multitudes had not seen. They had heard the Master Teacher. They had felt the spiritual power of his presence with them in a close relationship. They had witnessed compassion and power at its fullest. They should by now believe that Messiah was in their midst. This was ascertained when Peter spoke forth: "You are the Christ, the Promised One." He would introduce the second part of the revelation. "Messiah must suffer, die, and be raised again."
Messiah saw their expression of disheartenment. Messiah witnessed their doubts and disbelief openly expressed by Peter. These were not the words they had hoped to hear. Messiah sought to convince them with well chosen words: "If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it." They did not understand.
The time was approaching for Messiah to announce the second stage of the good news, but he knew that it would not be well received. Messiah wants the Twelve to have some first hand experiences of their own. They need to feel that they are divinely chosen and divinely empowered. He sends them out on a mission to heal and preach that the kingdom of God is at hand. Their work was so effective that Herod heard about it. The crowds themselves were so expectant that they gathered in large groups searching for the Messiah. They followed him far from their homes. Messiah’s compassion flowed continually. He welcomed them, he healed many, and he preached about the nearness of the Kingdom of God. They stayed so long and were so far away from places to buy food. Messiah’s compassion reached a high level. He multiplied the loaves and fishes to provide food for 5,000. This was the climax of power, this was the fullness of compassion. The twelve were ready for the greater and higher revelation.
Messiah took them off by themselves. There was personal prayer and discussion. How did the multitudes feel about him? They felt that he was one of the greatest prophets. How did the Twelve feel about him? They had had experiences which the multitudes had not had. They had seen events which the multitudes had not seen. They had heard the Master Teacher. They had felt the spiritual power of his presence with them in a close relationship. They had witnessed compassion and power at its fullest. They should by now believe that Messiah was in their midst. This was ascertained when Peter spoke forth: "You are the Christ, the Promised One." He would introduce the second part of the revelation. "Messiah must suffer, die, and be raised again."
Messiah saw their expression of disheartenment. Messiah witnessed their doubts and disbelief openly expressed by Peter. These were not the words they had hoped to hear. Messiah sought to convince them with well chosen words: "If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it." They did not understand.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 3:45 PM
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