Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 29
Suffering and Humility
Luke 9:43-48 (KJV) And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Jesus healed the only child of a man (v38) who was severely tormented by the devil (v42) demonstrating the mighty power of God. Indeed, Jesus is God. At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus called His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over devils, and to cure diseases (v1). He sent them forth to preach the gospel and healed everywhere (v6). However, with this child, the disciples failed to cast out the devil. Jesus chided them with these words, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.”
Jesus revealed it was the wavering of disciples’ faith and their lack of consecration through prayer and fasting rendering them powerless before the enemy in Matthew 17:19-21 (KJV) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Jesus again speaks of His coming crucifixion in the hands of evil men (v22, 44), that would deal the death blow on the devil (Gen. 3:15), to free man from the bondage of sin, death and the devil – Hebrews 2:14 (KJV) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus) also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Howbeit, the disciples though sent forth, understood not fully, the gospel they were preaching! As disciples under training, did testify that Jesus is the Christ of God (v20). Though not fully comprehending John the Baptizer’s declaration, “the Lamb of God that will take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying (v45).
The disciples were in many ways, not ready. They were unsanctified vessels, still full of pride and self-conceit. This little company of fishermen and publicans was not beyond the plague of a self-seeking and ambitious spirit (JC Ryle). Perhaps it was this jostling and schism among the disciples that rendered powerless in the face of the adversary. Jesus warned the disciples of the sin of pride. They are to watch and pray against it. He was teaching the lesson of humility as demonstrated by the child which He set by Him. The Apostle Paul, once a proud Pharisee learned well this lesson – Philippians 2:3-11 (KJV) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Self has to be crucified for the disciples to be effective witnesses for Christ. JC Ryle applied well, “Let a prayer for humility and the spirit of a little child, form part of our daily supplications. Of all creatures none has so little right to be proud as man, and of all men none ought to be so humble as the Christian. Is it really true that we confess ourselves to be miserable sinners and daily debtors of merch and grace? Are we followers of Jesus, who was lowly and meek, and made Himself of no reputation for our sakes? Then let this same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus. Let us set aside all high thoughts and self-conceit.” Amen.