Majesty & Frailty, Part 1

Sermon 40 in Series

Luke 9:37-45

[37] On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. [38] And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. [39] And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. [40] And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” [41] Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” [42] While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. [43] And all were astonished at the majesty of God.  But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, [44] “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” [45] But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it practically mean to listen to Jesus as the Father commanded from the cloud?  How does this inform our view of Scripture?
2.  Why do you think Luke ends this large section on the Galilean ministry with the failures of Jesus’ disciples?  How does this prepare for what follows?
3.  What contrasts are drawn between Jesus and his disciples?  What effect do they have on the reader?
4.  What is the two-fold problem that the boy’s father presents to Jesus?  How does Jesus respond, and to what extent are his words directed at his disciples?
5.  What attributes of Jesus stand out in this passage?  How does it fit with what we’ve seen already in Luke?
6.  How does Jesus’ single-minded focus on the cross contrast with the disciples’ lack of understanding?  Where do we see both human responsibility and divine sovereignty?

References: Mark 9:14-32 (corporate reading); Philippians 2:8; Matthew 24:30; Titus 2:13; Luke 7:12; 8:42; Matthew 17:15, 20; Luke 9:1-2; 8:25; Genesis 6:9; Luke 9:22; Isaiah 53:3.