by Tom Mount – January 19, 2024

The second Sunday of Epiphany

 

Scripture reading: Luke 9:20-27

 

Introduction

  • What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Today’s text in part answers the question.
  • Parallel texts: Mt 16:13-23; Mk 8:27-33.

The “Messianic secret”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah. 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

  • Luke constantly revisits the question: “Who is Jesus? (4:14-30; 7:16; 8:25; 9:7-9).
  • “God’s Messiah” – , Christos; Heb. Mashiach, “Anointed one.” God’s promised Ruler. Note: this was not a confession of Jesus’ deity. That realization came only after the Jesus’ resurrection (e.g, Acts 3:13-26).
  • “Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone” – Cf. Mk 1:24-25,43. Two reasons: 1.) Practical: to preserve freedom of movement (Mk 1:43-45). If everyone knew he was Messiah, he would be deluged with people and couldn’t go anywhere. 2.) Theological: to moderate expectations. The OT teaching about Messiah contained two data sets. The first one portrayed Messiah as the anointed King sent by God to restore the earth, redeem God’s people, defeat Israel’s enemies and judge the unrighteous (e.g., Isa 61:1-2; cf. Lk 1:68-79). The second set portrays Messiah as Yahweh’s suffering Servant who endures rejection, suffering and death at the hands of his people and in the place them (e.g., Isa 52:13-53:12). The second data set was largely downplayed by most Jews of Jesus’ day. And so, they thought that when Messiah came, he would immediately set up his eternal kingdom.
  • People didn’t realize that the only way to eradicate sin was for Jesus to become sin (2 Cor 5:21). And the only way to destroy death was for Jesus to die (Heb 2:14-15).
  • “the Son of Man must suffer many things… be rejected… be killed…be raised to life” – four imperatives for Jesus to fulfill his messianic role.

The cost of being Jesus’ apprentice

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

  • “wants to be my disciple” – lit: “come after me,” IOW, be a regular Christian.
  • “deny himself…” – This does not mean you reject your true self. It means you reject autonomy and superficial living where you let “fleshly” instincts control you.
  • “take up his cross daily” – It was a familiar sight for his audience: condemned criminals carry on their shoulders the patibulum, horizontal cross beam. Crucify your flesh so the Spirit can influence your beliefs and actions (Col 3:5). Die to the old self you once were and be the new self you’ve been created to be (Eph 4:22-24).
  • “follow me” –believe and do and teach the things Jesus did. Walk his path.
  • “whoever wants to save his life will lose it…” – those who try to live a life of joy, comfort, meaning independent of God will invariably fail.
  • “what good is it to gain the whole world…” – would you rather have all the money and toys of Zuckerberg, Musk and Besos for 80 years or the approval, love and fellowship of God forever?
  • “whoever is ashamed… comes in his glory…” – Consistent theme in NT. When you are tempted to be quiet about your faith, stand up and speak out without apology but with courageous love. You will be rewarded at Jesus’ parousia (cf. Mt 25:31).
  • “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God” –Two referents: 1) The Transfiguration (Lk 9:29-36) – when Jesus’ radiates some of the glory that will suffuse the kingdom of God and, 2) The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47) – when the explosive expansion of the kingdom of God begins when the Holy Spirit comes with power on the Church.

Takeaway

  • How much are you living for the Lord? What changes can you make today to ensure you receive a rich welcome and reward at his return?