Christ Takes the Initiative | Luke 9:51-56

Sermon Study Guide: Christ Takes the Initiative | Luke 9:51-56

Overview
This Sermon Study Guide outlines Christ’s initiative in calling us to follow Him and His continuous guidance once we are in a relationship with Him. The narrative uses biblical passages focusing on Luke 9:51-56.

1. Christ Calls Us (Luke 9:51-53)

• Setting and Context (v51)
  • Shift in the Gospel: This passage marks a significant turning point where Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, signaling the final phase of His earthly ministry.
  • "Taken Up": This term points to the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission: His virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection, post-resurrection appearances, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
  • "Set His Face": Indicates Jesus’ initiative and resolute determination to go to Jerusalem to fulfill His mission willingly and purposefully, not begrudgingly.
  • Jerusalem’s Significance:
    • Historical Importance: Jerusalem was the capital of Israel prior to the exile and the location of the temple, making it the center of Jewish worship.
    • Symbolic Role: For Jesus, Jerusalem represents the culmination of His sacrificial journey, akin to the Passover lamb’s sacrifice as recounted in Exodus 12.
    • Passover Parallel: The Jews annually celebrated the Passover commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt in Exodus 12. Similarly, Jesus is the Lamb of God, taking on our sin. His sacrifice for believers leads to God passing over us with judgment.
• Sending Messengers (v52)
  • Purpose: Jesus sent messengers to prepare a place in a Samaritan village on his way to Jerusalem.
  • Background on Samaritans: They were Israelites who intermarried with pagans during the Assyrian exile, creating religious and ethnic tensions with the Jews. They accepted only the first five books of the Old Testament and did not recognize the temple in Jerusalem as the place of worship.
• Rejection of the Messengers (v53)
  • Rejection by Samaritans: This rejection underscores their incomplete acceptance of God's revelation and the longstanding enmity with Jews.
  • Implications: Rejection of Jesus’ messengers is not rejection of them, but of Jesus and by extension, rejection of God.
  • Church’s Mission: Like the messengers, the church is called to prepare the world for Christ’s return. Rejection of the gospel is a rejection of God’s offer of salvation, but it is not the messengers who are rejected personally.
• Some Takeaways
  • Although Jesus knew the history of the Samaritans, their rejection of God's instruction, and their rejection of his prophets, he still extended his forgiveness, grace, and presence to them.
  • Our parallel. While were dead in our sins and trespasses, Jesus died for us. In the same way he extended himself to the Samaritans, Jesus extends forgiveness of sins  and grace to us (Rom 5:8, Eph 2:8-9).
  • Will you receive Jesus Christ?

2. Christ Guides Us (Luke 9:54-56)

• The Disciples' Response to Rejection (v54)
  • Common Responses: When inviting someone to church, sharing that Christ is the reason for their joy, or sharing the Gospel of Christ with others, believers may respond to rejection with fear, confusion, or anger.
    • Sometimes we fear rejection because of potential social repercussions.
    • Sometimes confusion arises from because we simply cannot comprehend how someone would reject the free gift of salvation offered through Christ (Rom 6:23)
    • Other times, we get angry because we are offended when people reject Christ.
      • James and John fell into the category of anger. We see this by their desire to call down fire on the Samaritan village. It seems their recommendation to call fire from heaven reflects what Elijah did in 2 Kings 1. However, their request is out of context and misapplied. In this context, Jesus’ mission is about sharing the good news with the purpose of saving people who are already condemned for disbelief (John 3:16-18).
• Jesus’ Rebuke of the Disciples (v55)
  • Correction of Disciples: Jesus rebukes James and John, teaching that the proper response to rejection is not retaliation but love and prayer. In other words, Jesus rebukes them because their response to rejection was not inline with his teaching such as those in Luke 6:27-32 and Luke 9:5.
  • Scriptural Basis for Rebuke: Jesus’ rebuke also highlights a great act of love for his followers. Although the disciples have struggled with disbelief, pride, and now misapplication of his teachings, he did not give up on them. Praise God, Jesus does not give up on us either! Jesus correction in love is a real-world application of Leviticus 19:17-18.
  • Biblical Guidance in the New Testament: As seen in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Scripture provides necessary reproof and training in righteousness, preparing us for the work God has for us to do.
• Moving On (v56)
  • Shake the Dust Off: Jesus demonstrates his instruction from Luke 9:5, moving on from persistent rejection but continuing the mission of sharing the good news.
  • Model of Behavior: Jesus’ actions provide a blueprint for believers: when faced with rejection, respond with love, prayer, and perseverance in the Great Commission.

• Reflection Questions

1. Think back to when you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior. Can you recall how God initiated calling you to follow Jesus? How did you respond?
2. How do you typically respond to rejection when sharing Christ? How can you apply this passage to your life?
3. How has God’s Word shaped your understanding of Jesus? How has the instruction of God's Word been reflected in your daily living?