Day #6 - Jesus' Mission: the cross

Day 6

Jesus’ Mission: the cross

Read: Luke 9:22-27; 43-45

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The context for today’s readings is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah (9:18-20).   Immediately following this, Jesus quickly corrects the disciples’ misconceptions of what that would mean.  Although the concept of a suffering servant king was introduced by Isaiah centuries before (53:1-12), the Jews of Jesus’ day had little idea of such a God-sent leader, especially one who would suffer.   They wanted a Messiah who would come in power to rescue them.   Jesus however knew he had to suffer and die, and from now on Luke’s account of Jesus is always in the shadow of the cross.

Jesus’ death was central to his mission.   Each writer of the Jesus’ biographies records his death in more detail than either his birth, or resurrection.  That thought, “God should die on planet earth is almost beyond comprehension” yet we cannot understand Jesus mission without the context of the cross.  

Today many people want a God who will come and rescue them, to live a “painless life”, to bless them with security and prosperity.  This passage clearly teaches that central to Jesus’ mission was suffering and pain, and that if we follow him we should not expect anything different. Follow Jesus yes - but how? Jesus made it clear with three verbs (9:23) . . . "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Suffering is central to Jesus’ mission.

Consider (respond)

• “Would I have become a follower of Jesus had I understood; following could result in suffering and even death?”

Day #5 - Jesus' Mission: the poor

Day 5

Jesus’ Mission: the poor

Read: Luke 4:14-30

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In his hometown synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus reads a passage from Isaiah 61:16-21 that summarizes his mission.   While reading he stops the quote part way through verse two, missing out “and the day of vengeance of our God.”   There will be a day of judgement, but Jesus ushered in an era of grace and mercy.  The “year of the Lord’s favour” alludes to the year of Jubilee, an old Israeli law stating debts were to be cancelled and land returned to its original owners.    It was a time of freedom and restoration. Jesus’ mission is a time of freedom and restoration.

It is easy to spiritualize these words (Luke 4:18-19), to see them as only referring to meeting spiritual needs, and ignore their obvious meaning.   While Jesus came for all, a key component of his focus was to “those who had been trampled by life and society.”  Israel had ignored the plight of the poor and oppressed the weak (Isaiah 58:6-7) and this had brought them judgement. 

Then and now Jesus identifies strongly with the weak and struggling of society, seeing his mission as bringing hope and freedom. Luke continually shows how he worked this out in action, with healing, deliverance and even protest (see Luke 19:45-46); it was for this purpose Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit.  (The seventh week of our “Jesus journey” will look deeply at the Spirit’s missional-links.)

Ponder Point (reflect)

• The Jesus who has concern for me has special concern for the poor

Consider (respond)

• If my being “connected to Jesus” means I am already connected to the poor by implication . . .  what could I do engage with the poor?

Day #4 - Jesus' Mission: the kingdom

Day 4

Jesus’ Mission: the kingdom

Read: Luke 4:38-43

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When people in this part of the Galilean region sought to restrict and retain Jesus, he said he could not stay. He was sent to preach the Good News of the Kingdom; many locations were yet to be reached.  A key component of Jesus’ mission was telling people about the Kingdom of God.   Matthew’s account in particular uses this phrase repeatedly (some 52 times), applying many parables to illustrate the different aspects and motivations of this coming Kingdom.

The “Kingdom of God” is an expression that refers to God’s rule.  It is not a place but a dynamic activity.  While Jesus said that God’s final triumph was yet to come, he also said that God was even now at work in human affairs (Luke 17:20-21).

Jesus’ declaration of God’s Kingdom is one that brings us great hope.   While God is at work bringing restoration to this planet, yet this declaration is also our great challenge.  God’s rule is in sharp contrast to our own desire to be in charge, and use power and wealth to gain control.

Strangely, today we hear much about the church and too often much less concerning the growth and rule God’s Kingdom.  We must correct this “imbalance.”  Our mission is not to be contained within the walls of a building but demonstrated in every place, activity and structure on this planet.   It is a holistic, all embracing mission, given to us by God.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• God’s Kingdom is both here-now and yet-to-come

Consider (respond)

• How is my current involvement in mission?

Day #3 - Jesus' Mission: to outsiders

Day 3

Jesus’ Mission: to outsiders

Read: Luke 5:27-32

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As a religious figure, Jesus was expected to stay away from unreligious persons and influences.  Eating with such people implied to the Pharisees that Jesus accepted these people and their actions. 

But Jesus was very clear that his message was for those who recognized they were a long way from God.  In his “Message translation” Eugene Peterson wonderfully expresses verse 32; “I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders – an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”  

Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees did not mean he thought they were healthy or righteous.    His analogy implies that just as sick people are aware of their need and so can receive healing, so those who know they are not “good” are open to turn to Jesus to receive the grace that he offers.

In a modern context, “outsiders” would be those who have little or no association with Christian faith or church. It is highly likely Jesus would attract much the same criticism today as he did from the Pharisees, only it would be Christians making the accusations. Jesus responded to their critical hearts, by calling them to think on his words, and by getting on with his mission. Connecting with the lost and “calling” them turning and trusting.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus was called to call those who will respond

Consider (respond)

• What would cause me (at the same time) to grow inside the church and connect with those outside the faith/church?

Day #2 - Jesus Mission: the lost

Day 2

Jesus’ Mission: the lost

Read: Luke 19:1-10

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Many of the people of Jesus’ day didn’t understand what Jesus was on about.   They thought he should only associate with people who were “good” – people who outwardly conformed to their standard religious expectations.   They expected his mission should focus on meeting “religious needs.”

Jesus continually did things that contradicted such expectations; the story of Zacchaeus is a classic example.  He was a tax collector working for the Romans. Men like him were despised as traitors; they were “agents” of the military occupiers of Israel’s land.  Many Jews just never associated with them, seeing them as beyond any hope of redemption.

Yet here we read Jesus intentionally stopped and took the initiative to spend time with Zacchaeus.  He knew his name and he knew that he was searching for something.  Jesus was not put-off, either by his “reputation” or by what others might think.

Luke explains this story by clearly setting out why Jesus came (v10).  His focus was on those who were “lost.” Many Bible scholars see this as the central verse of Luke’s Goodnews account.  Alternatively, putting this in today’s context, Jesus’ mission focuses on those outside the faith, not those in it.  Such action is a challenge to curb any self-centred desire of keeping Jesus for ourselves, and motivation to having passion for connecting with “those outside.”

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus is passionate about connecting with the lost

Consider (respond)

• Which of those that don’t yet know God can I plan to connect with?

Day #1 - Jesus' Mission: from God

Day 1

Jesus’ Mission: from God

Read: John 5:16-30

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This first week we explore why Jesus came, what he purposed to do; his mission.  Exploring Jesus’ mission is an absolute essential to truly understanding him. Not to simply project our own ideas on to him of what we think he is about, or what we would like him to be.

Corporate or personal mission statements are established practice. Carefully devised, designed and developed agendas. Many statements are at heart “self-interest-focused,” others are outward-focused

No mission statement is as “other-focussed” as Jesus’ mission declaration, “to do the Father’s will.” The reading in John’s gospel shows us unmistakably that Jesus’ agenda was “wholeheartedly doing God’s will, not his own.”

In Luke’s gospel, the source of Jesus’ mission is encapsulated in Luke’s many references to Jesus praying.  Recurrently we read of Jesus withdrawing to a quiet place to pray. Often it is just before a major event or decision. His baptism, (3:21) choosing the disciples, (6:12) Peter’s confession of faith, (9:18), the transfiguration, (9:28-29), and the cross (22:41). There’s more, read 5:16, 11:1, 22:32, 23:34, 46 on other times of Luke recording Jesus’ prayers.

With Jesus, prayer is the key to mission remaining on track.  Through prayer, he was un-swayed by others’ agendas, or diversionary desires. Prayer refreshes and maintains mission focus.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus’ mission came from God

Consider (respond)

• What’s my life mission look like, how does it relate to Jesus?

Using the daily blog posts in “40 days with Jesus”

Over the next forty days this daily blog post will aid you on a devotional reading journey of discovery.   You will encounter Jesus in eyewitness accounts recorded in Bible biographies, through our reflections, prayers and responses to Him from our daily readings using Luke’s account of His life and ministry.

Building on the foundations of your daily readings, messages preached each Sunday at Bethlehem baptist Church (Tauranga, New Zealand) centering on readings of the coming week (these are available as podcasts http://www.bethlehem.org.nz/media/) will extend your understanding, inspiration, and encounter-experiences in a 40 Day with Journey with Jesus.

Also over the 40 days your involvement in a weekly small group adds a community processing-experience to your journey. You will be hearing and having insights from both your own daily devotional readings and reflections, and each Sunday’s message to contribute to the growth of a “one-another life with Jesus.”

You might have known Jesus for years, and be very familiar with the Bible.  Equally, you might never have read or experienced Jesus before.  Our prayer is that over these 40 Days you will encounter Jesus in a fresh and powerful way.

In using the daily devotional resource to “Read, Reflect and Respond” . . .

READ

Daily Bible portion

The day’s posted blog section

REFLECT

On the day’s “Ponder Point”

RESPOND

Prayerfully consider the day’s reflection question

REVIEW

The week’s memory verse

The first day reading will be posted on Sunday, 9th September

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