Everything Else will Follow

 December 9, 2023

Luke 9 Part 2

"Everything Else Will Follow" 

The next day when they came down the hill, the crowd was there to meet Him. A man cried out to Jesus; “Master, Please help my son, my only child.” He had been taken over by a demon. The disciples had tried to get out the demon but couldn’t. Jesus told the man to bring his son to Him, but on the way, the devil within the son threw him down and tore at him. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed, and delivered him again to his father. The people were amazed at the Mighty Power of God they witnessed. Jesus turned to His disciples and said” Listen closely” He began to tell them of all the terrible things that were soon going to happen to Him. They didn’t understand but were afraid to ask Him any questions about it. Instead, they began to bicker among themselves about who was His favorite. They were after all still human and still fallible.

Jesus knew their hearts like He knows our hearts. He pulled a child towards Him and said “Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me… for the least among you all, the same shall be great.” God focuses on the heart. John spoke “Master, we saw someone who was casting out devils in Your Name but we told him not to because he doesn’t follow you with us.” Jesus said, “Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us.” There are only two sides; those for Jesus, and those against Him. Not specific denominations. You’re either a child of God or not.

The time was drawing close for when Jesus was to go back to heaven. It was time to head to Jerusalem. He sent some disciples ahead of Him into a Samaritan village to prepare the way. But the people would not receive Him because traveling to Jerusalem implied worship rituals that they didn’t agree with. It was a constant feud between them. When James and John heard this, they wanted Jesus to command fire down from heaven and consume the people. Whoa! That’s why they were called Sons of Thunder- quick tempers. But Jesus turned and rebuked them saying “You don’t know what you are saying, for the Son of Man hasn’t come to destroy lives but to save them. “So, they went to another village. While there, a new convert asked if he could go with them. Jesus told him that His journey was a rough one. No designated places to sleep and very few comforts. To another man, Jesus said follow me. But that man wanted to take care of things first. Jesus told him to let the dead bury the dead but go preach the Kingdom of God. Another new convert came to Him and said “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and tell my family goodbye” Jesus said “No man, that continually looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” Jesus knew their hearts, their intentions, and their sincerity. When we are saved, our life is changed. We are to prioritize Jesus in every aspect of our lives. God first, then family, then church, and everything else will follow.  



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