Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

A Binding Obligation

Episode Summary

The word “must” determines what Jesus will do in accordance with the decree of God in Heaven. This message is based on Luke 9:20-27.

Episode Notes

Introduction: the great confession! Why does Jesus tell them not to tell anyone at this moment in time?  Surely he wants the world to know? And what he tells them next is critical to the love of God being spread around? Two things concerning the two kingdoms:

  1. There is a general misconception concerning the messiah; he is greater than a political deliverer
  2. They are going to need to be prepared for what is about to happen

First announcement of suffering

  1. Leaves the disciples in shock, why would this miracle worker talk about being killed?
  2. He speaks of a legal court that will unjustly judge him
  3. The court is made up of the religious elite - won’t they see him as the Messiah also?
  4. Their understanding of the purpose of the messiah is being challenged, and leaves them wondering what he is talking about.
  5. He uses the word “Dei” again

This is a word study that causes minds to be challenged. Dei is the Greek word translated in vs 22 as “must”. It does not appear in vs 23 where Jesus discusses who his real followers are. 

  1. “Dei” means “to bind” and refers to a binding obligation upon someone.
  2. In the Gospels the term normally occurs in contexts related to salvation
  3. It is implied that the binding is the result of God’s decree (18 times in Luke)
  4. Luke 2:49 – do the Father’s will
  5. Luke 4:43 – preach
  6. And now: suffer, die, and rise again
  7. Coming up: Scriptures must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44], everyone must believe in Jesus for salvation (Acts 4:12) plus many other key things in NT relating to new birth (John 3:7) and the End Times.
  8. This could cause quite a disruption to the normal understanding of the Messiah as a deliverer and a savior if he suffers and dies!
  9. This is the heart of the Gospel though, with a much greater deliverance and salvation than they could have imagined 

Jesus now turns his focus away from his purpose to show God’s purpose for his followers

  1. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, follow me. Into suffering?
  2. Want to save your life? Then lose it for me and be saved. 
  3. Saved from our ego and selfishness, a focus on me and my rights. 
  4. Adjusting our focus on the will of God, trusting him that for now and eternity he will care for us.

What do we need to have Jesus change in our thinking?

What do we need to lose?

What do we need to deny?