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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)
17. The End of Christ's Ministry in the Mountainous Region of Galilee (Luke 9:10-50)
LUKE 9:18-22
18 It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” 19 They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.”
After the top of Christ’s ministry in Galilee, represented by the feeding of the five thousand with two fish and five loaves, the Son of Man withdrew with his disciples to pray. Did you realize that Jesus was a prayer warrior and that he did nothing and said nothing without constant prayers? In this leading spirit, the Lord examined his disciples and drew them into confessing his divine being. During this conversation, it appeared that multitudes of his hearers did not realize his truth, supposing him to be one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, or Elijah who was to precede the “day of the Lord”, or even John the Baptist beheaded by Herod. People’s knowledge was still superficial, and related with fearful omens of death and spirits.
However, Christ wished to guide his disciples to take a firm decision. He pierced their hearts and asked them directly, “Who do you say that I am?” If the Lord Christ had asked you this question, what would you answer him? What would you say to your friend? Who is Christ? A schoolgirl wrote in her copybook in answer to this question: “He is my Savior.” This is the correct answer. There is no better answer than that, for this word bears the experience of salvation and the power of Christ. Have you experienced personally your Savior’s salvation?
This answer was not possible before the death of Christ, for salvation was not accomplished yet. Contrary to the people’s opinion, and in opposition to the Pharisees’ spies, Peter dared to say in the name of all the disciples, “You are the promised Christ, Son of the living God.” In initiating this knowledge, the Holy Spirit erased all doubts and questions in Peter, and created in him a faith, which was not created by men, but by their Lord. No one can say that Jesus is Lord and Christ except by the Holy Spirit. Grace is realized whenever a sinner knows Jesus’ essence and holds fast to his divinity.
What did Peter understand when his lips uttered this unique name, “Christ”? The Old Testament says that he is anointed with the Holy Spirit, holding all divine powers in his person and uniting all the offices of the Old Testament in himself. He is promised by God to set up an everlasting kingdom on earth whose center is to be Jerusalem. The Jews looked forward to the coming of this Promised One to establish the kingdom of peace, raise the dead, overcome injustice and spread freedom all over a land burdened with the bondage of colonization. These expectations became earthly political yet not spiritual. Most people rejected the preaching of John the Baptist, for he preached the coming solemn Christ who judges severely, demands conversion and radical repentance.
The Pharisees alleged that the Messiah would only come if all the Jews kept the commandment of the Sabbath faultlessly. The Zealots, on their part, expected a warlike Messiah who would drive out the Romans with sword, and make truth prevail by force.
Consequently, Christ prevented his disciples from speaking about his Messianism, lest false claims should be made out about his person. He did not reject Peter’s testimony, but confirmed it by silent consent; asking him to continue in faith, without giving him proof or an express consent. He did not say, “Yes, Peter, you are right, I am the expected Christ.” But he kept him from confessing this faith openly before his death on the cross.
Nevertheless, Jesus began to spread the knowledge of the true Christ in the hearts of the disciples: the Son of the Highest has come to set up the kingdom of God. But he cannot establish this holy kingdom building it with sinners stained with faults and offences, for the kingdom of the Holy One is formed of saints, as he said, “You shall be holy, for I am Holy”. Christ made clear this word to us in saying, “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” This divine kingdom is a Fatherly kingdom constituted of children begotten of his Holy Spirit.
No one is filled with this Spirit, for sin has separated us from out Lord. Christ came to purify, justify, and sanctify the people of his kingdom. The kingdom could not emerge before the crucifixion. Jesus began to tell his messengers that the true Christ came to suffer, die, and atone for the sin of the world as the Lamb of God. He could not build his kingdom with sinners on earth unless they were sanctified.
This essential knowledge failed to penetrate to the minds of the disciples. They expected an eloquent prominent champion who would rouse the feelings and emotions of the multitudes and subdue spirits and elements. Their thoughts were filled with the authority of Jesus. They did not visualise his descent to death, nor did it occur to them that the religious leaders of the nation would bring the Christ of God to death or even participate in his death. After feeding the five thousand and Peter’s testimony, Christ’s recurrent message to his disciples was that the Son of Man must die, in order to prove to his followers that he was certain of his triumph, and in harmony with the will of God.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, we worship to you for you are the Christ of God, and in you dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Forgive us our superficial faith, and teach us the need for your suffering and death that we may share in your obedience of faith, and your triumphant resurrection.
QUESTION 68: Who was the Christ envisioned by each group of the Jews? Why had the authentic Christ to die and rise from the dead?