The marveling multitude and the majesty of the Messiah Luke 9.37-45
9/24/2009 9:55:18 PM
Scripture Reading: Luke 9.37-45 Today's inspiration: And they were all amazed at the majesty of God Good Morning. Don't you think it is a little confusing? I mean, it seems like everywhere Jesus goes, the crowds find Him. . . people are clearly enthralled with Jesus.


Scripture Reading: Luke 9.37-45 Today's inspiration: And they were all amazed at the majesty of God


Good Morning.


Don't you think it is a little confusing? I mean, it seems like everywhere Jesus goes, the crowds find Him. . . people are clearly enthralled with Jesus. And yet--because we know the rest of the story, we realize that the tide of public opinion would soon turn against Him. How could that be? The other day I was commenting on how hungry today's 'multitudes' are for someone/something to provide answers, and as the outlook becomes less certain, they want someone to tell them 'everything is going to be okay'. We have this in common with these first-century Jews, don't we? So many of them missed it, though, as so many of us will also. The Jews were looking for the Messiah to come as a conquering king. . . a royal figure with an iron arm to squash the tyranny of the Roman government and all of its evils. That wasn't in the Master's plan.


Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration, and the drum begins to beat, the clock wind down. . . it wouldn't be long until the people would laud Him on His way into Jerusalem, and then they would turn against Him, crying for His death. It seems impossible to imagine from our vantage point in history, doesn't it? From here on, though, the pace seems to quicken, and some of the verbal exchanges are hard to decipher because they are so intense. Reading this particular account (the above passage) in Matthew and Mark's gospels really broadened my understanding of it. So again, as Jesus comes down the mountain, He joins the rest of the disciples who are arguing with the crowd. It seems a man brought his demon-possessed son to be healed, and the disciples didn't have the faith to do it. Jesus turns and calls the disciples unbelieving and perverse; He is saddened by their lack of faith, after all they had seen and experienced. Nonetheless, He turns it into a teaching opportunity. 'Don't you see, my friends, if you have even a mustard seed-sized faith, you can move mountains!' (Matthew 17.20) The miracles come through having faith enough to pray. Jesus does set the young boy free, and returns him to his father.


"And they were all amazed at the majesty of God." Lk. 9.43 The multitude is marveling again, recognizing the 'majesty of God' at work through Jesus. How would their opinions change so radically? Apparently, they just weren't that committed to Jesus after all, so they could be swayed by the change in popular opinion. . . That is why I like the sentiments of this anonymous statement so very much--he was truly committed, no matter what the fickle crowd would do. Others will turn back, but please, not you, my friends~


“I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His

and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living,

sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.


I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few,

but my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear.


I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary.

I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.


I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”


So that it may be so. . . for all of us!


Christine