The Book of Luke
A 25 day devotional series for this Winter Break!
Day 9
A lot is happening in Luke chapter nine. In the opening verses, the disciples are commissioned as Apostles, Jesus feeds 5,000 people with a miracle, and challenges His disciples to die to themselves daily as they submit to His authority. Then, in verses 28-36, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain top and affirmed by God the Father. “This is My son, in whom I am well pleased” (v.35). From this place of authority and identity, Jesus proceeds to cast a demon out of a boy the disciples could not. But, it is the latter part of this chapter that sticks out to me. In verse 44, Jesus says, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” This is the second time Jesus talks about His mission and death in this chapter. In verse 22 He says, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Jesus is gripped by His purpose; it affects everything He does. Furthermore, Luke 9 ends with Jesus giving us a powerful picture of how to actually walk out with purpose and focus in mission. In order to plow straight rows for crops to grow, farmers had to fix their eyes on an object in front of them and walk to it. If they looked back, they would lose perspective and the row wouldn’t be straight. In order for us to walk in the purpose the Lord has for us, we must continue to fix our eyes on Him.
So in this season, let’s keep our gaze on Christ as He continues to help us understand our purpose. As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Read Luke 9 and answer the reflection questions to help you process the passage.
So in this season, let’s keep our gaze on Christ as He continues to help us understand our purpose. As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Read Luke 9 and answer the reflection questions to help you process the passage.