Day 61 – Feeding the Five Thousand – Luke 9:1-36
This entire series of events is focused on one question, which then leads to a follow-up question. The first question: Who is Jesus? The second: Based in Jesus’ identity, what does it mean to follow Jesus?
The two questions are interrelated. Who is Jesus? Peter answers: the Messiah. Yet his vision of Jesus as the Anointed One still, and will for some time, carries a belief in the Messiah who will be “successful” by worldly standards. (v 20) Jesus usually self identifies as the Son of Man an apocalyptic figure from the book of Daniel. (v 22) And finally the Father identifies Jesus as his Son. (v 35)
While this sounds glorious, the twist comes from Jesus himself. First he is an unexpected Messiah/Son of Man/Son of God: one who will die on a cross. Then he defines the role of those who follow him: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. (v 24)
We see what this will mean in the other parts of the chapter, as stories of his disciple’s activities unfold. Worship and study are not merely for oneself, but to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and the in-breaking kingdom through going out into the world, being a participant in God’s healing and justice. Discipleship is an ongoing process, in which we slowly give up our own aspirations, and wake up to God’s plans for us.
Far too often we place all kinds of names on Jesus in expectation of grasping blessings we define, rather than receiving the blessings Jesus gives us.
We are becoming who we shall be. So why not practice resurrection, in this time and place?
In Christ,
Randy
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