LUKE 9:37-62 IN THE VALLEY We do not spend all of our time where there is the light of glory, the blessing of holy fellowship with the Lord, the joy of looking forward to the time when "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun, doth its successive journeys run." Most of the time our lives are lived where suffering and sin seems to be on every hand. When the Lord along with Peter, James and John descended from that place of revealed glory, they were immediately confronted with a distraught father whose only son was in desperate need. His body was bearing evidence of the terrible effects of sin that the power of darkness puts on those it seeks to claim. Often when observing the Lord, people wondered at Him. They wondered at "the gracious words" He spoke. Here they wondered at His words of authority and all the things He did when, with the mighty power of God, the evil spirit left the appealing man's only son.
The disciples were being taught how to trust the Lord, how to love others and how to put Christ first in everything. They had shown their lack of compassion when they wanted to send the hungry away. Peter, James and John were lacking in vigilance when they slept while the glory of the Lord appeared on the mountain of transfiguration. There was a lack of discernment until they heard the voice of God identifying the Lord Jesus as God's "Beloved Son" who they were to listen to. The nine other disciples lacked in power to heal even though they had experienced that power only a short time before. There was an obvious lack of humility as the disciples were trying to determine their positions in the coming kingdom in which they hoped to have a place. They also lacked tolerance when they rebuked one serving in a different way then they were. The bitterness of the disciples toward the Samaritans revealed their lack of grace. Three men who came to follow the Lord showed a real lack of commitment to the Lord and His authority.
There are many important lessons and Christ-like characteristics we don't learn for one reason or another until we have to take responsibility for what happens ourselves. Our concern for the welfare and well-being of others does not blossom until it is up to us to meet the needs people have. Our response to opposition doesn't really affect us much until others are looking to us as to how they should act towards the enemies of God and His Gospel. People from other denominations involved in religious activity for the Lord that differs from ours, may cause a critical or even resentful attitude in us until we have learned God is not depending on us alone to fulfill His work. Others may do things different but God is able to bring blessing and results in any way He chooses. When we know what God wants us to do, we need to do it and follow the course He has laid out before us in spite of the hazards we will have to pass through.
In our service for the Lord as those who are "learners," we need to "follow Him" even when we can't see Him or understand entirely why He has led us in this particular path. Faith in Him makes it possible for us to be faithful in our service, our walk, and our interaction with believers and unbelievers. When the Lord left Galilee for the last time in His public ministry and never returned until after His resurrection, that did not mean the work of the Galilean disciples was over. In equipping us to serve the Lord we are not limited to certain geographical areas. The Lord chose men to take the message of the Gospel to the Jews, many who were scattered to different countries. Paul was to take the Gospel to Gentiles, kings and rulers. Discipleship means we follow our Lord wherever He chooses and do whatever He directs us to in His own time and way. He "set His face to go to Jerusalem." There was a goal before Him. We need to keep before us the calling He has given us.
Three men illustrate what can keep us from fulfilling this call. One was a scribe who for whatever reason was attracted to Jesus, perhaps as the Messiah of Israel and wanted a place in the kingdom he hoped was coming. When he was told of the conditions he would face and the implied role he would fill as an itinerate servant, he was not heard of after. The second one was a man the Lord called to follow Him. He had good intentions, but as a disciple he had his priorities wrong. The third man was willing in word to follow the Lord, but he had his eye in the wrong direction. His first priority was to his family and then at his convenience to follow the Lord.
The lessons are plain. An interest in following the Lord is not enough. There has to be a whole-hearted dedication to the Lord and His service. I may not like all that will happen but my motivation is based on love for my Master. Any considerations that will hinder me from following the Savior must be abandoned so that God and His kingdom come first.
Thankful I am for the mountain top, but most live in the valley below. In my service it is incumbent on me to go there that His grace I may show. As long as I am called to remain in this world, there are needs I am called to meet. The object of living still is that by the Gospel, sinners will bow at Christ's feet.
The enemy of souls wants to keep people bound, and under his evil control. The Gospel we preach has a greater power and is able to deliver the soul. When there is evidence of need, my responsibility is to tell of the Light of life. And I must urge people to act in faith, telling of Him who does all things right.
I know many won't pay attention, and some will even oppose. There is not much I can do to change their minds, but God knows every one of those Who resist His grace so He will do whatever is His sovereign will. Some He may save in remarkable ways, and others remain in darkness still.
In the kingdom of heaven those who belong will come in child-like faith. The illustration of a child in the middle of the group showed the disciples who will be great. When we seek to do God's will in His way, we will not be uplifted in pride. Those who are down need fear no fall, and in His grace alone will abide.
When called to follow the Lord we need to consider this a very great privilege. To Him who called us we give ourselves and to Him only will give our homage. He is the Lord, His claims are supreme, none other with Him can compare. It goes way above any blessing we have when we are called in His life to share.
In faith and humility in this valley we can serve Him, with visits to the mountain top. The privilege to serve in eternal things at the end of this life will not stop. This is our training time, here we learn how to represent our Lord and Savior to men. After this life is over, we will find the value of the lessons that here we did begin.
"I am thankful Father, for the fellowship with the saints and the communion we all shared with Thee. Even though we are all different we have our Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, in common with each other. May the blessings I have received all out in continual benefits to others in the days ahead as we interact with people saved and unsaved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."