Luke 9:43b-45 (NIV) While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
The crowd was busy oohing and aahing over the young man from whom the demon had been expelled, but Jesus moved a short distance away from all of the excitement and gathered His disciples close to Him. The disciples were curious as to why they had been unable to cast out the demon, and Jesus told them that they had relied on their own abilities instead of on faith in what the Father could do through them (Matthew 17:19-21).
But then Jesus’ voice took on a deep urgency, as He looked each of His chosen followers squarely in the eyes and said, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” He was not merely repeating an earlier teaching or prophecy like a mantra. The intensity shows that HIs meaning was actually something more like: “Listen! You guys have got to get it together. The time is short. We are headed to Jerusalem, and at that point I’m going to be arrested and killed, and you-all will be given the responsibility to demonstrate, direct, and grow the kingdom. The fact that you just got bested by a demon shows that there is a long way to go, and we have a very short time to get you there! So no more messing around. Get with the program now!”
Jesus’ intensity startled the disciples, but they couldn’t process what He was telling them. Their view of who Jesus was and what He had come to do allowed no room for Him to be betrayed, arrested, or killed. And the idea that they would be left with responsibility for the kingdom would not fit into their heads at all at this point.
Father, it is mind blowing to all of us what You have in mind for us as Your people: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19 NIV) “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We figure that you must mean someone else, some other followers of Yours. And we go on with our lives in general. But we, like those first disciples, need to see the intensity in Your eyes when You see all of the lost souls heading for hell. We need to hear the intensity in Your voice when You tell us to “Get moving!” The time is short, and there is much to do. You have done all you need to do to save the people of the world, and the rest is up to us (with your guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit, of course!). We need to get with the program NOW! Forgive our lack of passion, Lord, and our complacency in the face of Your agenda for our lives as Your people, and fill us all with the fire of Your Spirit. Amen.