Friday 08 June 2018
- Bible Book:
- Luke
“While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it.” (vv. 43-45)
Psalm: Psalm 75:1-7
Background
Following directly on from yesterday’s passage Jesus and the disciples have come down the mountain after the Transfiguration and soon he would ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51), where he would be forcibly taken to another hill and crucified.
As soon as they had descended Jesus was confronted with an evil spirit, a family in need, questions of faith, healing and more demands.
Some of the disciples – ones we often refer to as the inner circle – had been with Jesus at the Transfiguration. Others remained below, apparently failing to help the father who is in torment over his son.
Some had heard the voice of God say: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). But even after the child was healed, they still didn’t get it when Jesus says: “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands”.
It’s tempting to use that trite phrase that after every mountaintop experience you’re going to have to live in the valley. This story is about much more though.
The way of God was never going to be like a Marvel Comic movie – all blazing light and transformation into some kind of super being who strode across the world smashing down trees and mountains.
It was always going to be ‘my son, my chosen one’ speaking life and love to those in the brokenness of real life and who would then “set his face to go to Jerusalem” and that other hill.
To Ponder
- Why do you think the disciples still found it so difficult to listen to Jesus and understand? How do we still struggle today?
- How can we engage with people who live all their lives in the valley and never see the top of the mountain?