- Covered In His Dust
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- Luke Chapter 9
Good morning! ☀️
"When disciples followed a rabbi, they followed him closely so they would never be out of his sight, never be someplace where they couldn’t hear him speak. They followed him so closely that his sandals often kicked up dust."
May you be covered in His dust.
If this is your first time getting Covered in His Dust, WELCOME! Please read Chapter 9 before reading my notes. They’ll make more sense. Read Luke 9 HERE.
Let’s get into it!
Why would Jesus tell the disciples not to take anything on their journey?
I think there can be many reasons He did this.
By not taking provisions, the disciples were forced to rely completely on God.
The command to travel light demonstrated the simplicity of their mission. Focus on proclaiming the message of the kingdom rather than being weighed down by material concerns.
What does that mean for you and me?
Our ministry is in the middle of our annual fundraiser. Do I trust God to provide? I do. Yet. I still have a level of anxiety and stress about it. I have room to grow.
Here are three lessons we can take away from Jesus commanding the disciples to bring nothing.
Trust in God's Provision: We can learn to trust in God's provision. We can plan and work, but we need to understand that God is ultimately in control so we can let go of unnecessary anxiety.
Simplicity and Focus: Embrace simplicity in our lives and focus on what truly matters. This allows us to concentrate on our main goals and priorities.
Obedience in Faith: The disciples' obedience to Jesus' command demonstrated faith. Notice that it’s not obedience in works; it’s obedience in our faith. In our own lives, we must be open and diligent in following God's guidance even when it seems challenging - in faith.
What’s the difference between a disciple and an apostle?
A disciple is someone who follows or learns from a teacher or leader. In the context of Jesus, an apostle refers to someone chosen and commissioned by Him for a specific mission. The details of this commission can be found in Luke 9:1-6.
They were given authority to preach, perform miracles, and establish the foundations of the Christian faith. The twelve apostles are often referred to as the "apostles of Christ."
All apostles are disciples, but not all disciples are apostles.
What does “shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them” mean?
In Jewish culture, the act of shaking off the dust from your feet symbolized a deliberate separation from impurity or from a place where you feel unwelcome.
It expressed the idea that the messengers had done their part and were leaving the consequences of rejection behind. 😳
Herod the Tetrarch
Herod the Tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas, was one of the sons of Herod the Great, the ruler of Judea, during the time of Jesus' birth.
Herod the Great is the ruler who sought to kill Jesus as a baby, which led to the family's escape to Egypt.
Herod Antipas was given the title of "Tetrarch," which means ruler of a quarter, indicating that he ruled over a portion of his father's kingdom.
John the Baptist criticized Herod Antipas for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, which eventually led to John's arrest and beheading.
Bethsaida
Bethsaida was a town located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which is part of modern-day Israel. The name "Bethsaida" means "house of fishing" in Aramaic.
It is believed to be the hometown of several of Jesus' disciples, including Philip, Andrew, and Peter. Peter was originally from Bethsaida and later became closely associated with Capernaum.
In the next chapter, Jesus pronounces woes on the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not repenting despite witnessing his miracles.
The Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Gennesaret or Kinneret, is a freshwater lake, though it's named a sea and doesn't meet scientific sea criteria.
“For there were about five thousand men.”
The Gospels specifically mention there were about 5,000 men present, but most likely, the total number was much greater.
"And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children."
Twelve seems to be an important and often-used number in the Bible.
The number twelve frequently symbolizes completeness, governance, and divine order.
Twelve Baskets of Bread: Luke 9:17
Twelve Tribes of Israel: Genesis 49:28
Twelve Apostles: Matthew 10:2-4
Twelve Spies Sent to Canaan: Numbers 13:2
Twelve Stones at Gilgal: Joshua 4:20-21
Twelve Oxen Under Solomon's Sea: 1 Kings 7:25
Twelve Years of Healing: Mark 5:25-34
Twelve Legions of Angels: Matthew 26:53
Twelve Foundations of the New Jerusalem: Revelation 21:14
Twelve Stones in the Jordan River: Joshua 4:9
Twelve Loaves of Bread in the Tabernacle: Leviticus 24:5-9
Twelve Gates of the Heavenly Jerusalem: Revelation 21:12
Why Elijah?
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah,”
At that time, many Jews were expecting Elijah to come before the Messiah. Malachi 4:5 prophesied that Elijah would come before the great and awesome day of the Lord.
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes."
The Anointed One of God
When Peter answers "the Christ of God," he’s making a massive declaration about Jesus. The term "Christ" is not a last name; rather, it’s a title with profound meaning.
In the New Testament, "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term "Messiah," both of which mean "Anointed One." The title "Christ" or "Messiah" refers to the promised and anointed Savior, the chosen one who would fulfill specific prophecies in the Old Testament.
So, when Peter says "the Christ of God," he’s identifying Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the Anointed One sent by God to fulfill the role of Savior and King. This declaration acknowledges Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
What does denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus mean? Practically?
Notice Jesus is saying “to ALL,” not just the disciples. He’s saying it to you and me.
Deny Self in a Culture of Individualism:
In a culture that preaches and rewards individualism and personal pursuits, denying yourself often means resisting the temptation to prioritize personal success, comfort, or desires above serving others and following God.
Take Up Your Cross in the Face of Challenges:
In this verse, Jesus is telling us to “take up your cross.” At this moment, not one person listening had any idea that Jesus would be crucified and hung on a cross.
Taking up the cross can mean embracing challenges with faith, perseverance, joy, and a willingness to endure hardships that will surely come.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Follow Jesus in Everyday Decisions:
Following Jesus goes beyond big decisions—it's about seeking His guidance in how you treat others, make ethical choices, and live out your faith in daily interactions, relationships, and the workplace.
Lose Your Life in Self-Sacrificial Service:
We can practice self-sacrifice by helping others, volunteering, and being more generous and compassionate. We all have room to grow.
Facing Social or Cultural Opposition:
While not persecuted in the extreme sense, Christians in America today are sometimes ridiculed for their beliefs. I feel like I’m seeing that more and more every day. Stand firm in your faith, maintain integrity, and respond to challenges with grace and love.
As we go through the Gospel of Luke, don’t say, “That’s not me,” but rather, “Where is that me?” We must become more self-aware and then be intentional in how we change.
Have you ever questioned this verse?
“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
Wait a minute. What?
AFTER He says that, Luke records the following:
“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.”
He’s giving a specific number, as he explains what Jesus said in the previous verse.
Jesus isn't predicting His Second Coming or the eternal kingdom with this statement. He's talking about something specific that will happen while some of His listeners are still alive.
Jesus is hinting that, during the lives of some of His listeners, they will witness a preview of God's kingdom, and this preview happens during the Transfiguration.
During the Transfiguration Jesus looks different, and His divine nature is visible. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets coming together in Jesus. It's like a brief glimpse of the glory and fulfillment of the kingdom.
Later, when Peter, James, and John witness the transfiguration, it proves that Jesus' words were true. They see Jesus in all His glory and get a taste of the kingdom, helping them understand more about His divine nature and God's plan coming true.
Take a minute and reread The Transfiguration. It’s beautiful.
Jesus turns the idea of being the greatest… upside down.
Children were seen as dependent on others for care and protection. Jesus is teaching his disciples that a humble, dependent, and service-oriented attitude is essential in the Kingdom of God. Embracing the characteristics of a child, such as humility and dependence, is a contrast to the disciples' argument about who is the greatest among them.
Am I humble?
Am I dependent?
Not enough so.
“But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.”
Like the Jews, the Samaritans believed in the one God of Israel. They considered themselves to be descendants of the northern tribes of Israel.
Why, then, didn’t the Samaritans receive Him?
While the Jews considered Jerusalem and the Temple as the central location for worship, the Samaritans believed that Mount Gerizim in Samaria was the true and original place chosen by God for worship. They had their own temple on Mount Gerizim.
Jews generally considered the Samaritans as ethnically impure and religiously heretical.
What is Jesus ACTUALLY saying?
Being a follower of Jesus isn’t easy. Jesus says it needs strong dedication, even more important than being comfortable, taking care of family, or holding onto familiar things.
He’s telling us that spreading the message of God is THE most important thing. Don’t take Chapter 9 lightly. We have to ask ourselves, “Am I doing what He asks?”
“Deny yourself.”
“Go, and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
“Follow Me.”
And then He gives us the promise of promises:
“but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
The main point is this: if you want to be a true follower of Jesus, you have to say "yes,” which probably means giving up things that hold you back. Not everyone wants to hear that message.
Soak in the lyrics of today’s song: Oceans, Where My Feet May Fail
I love you,
George
Covered in His Dust
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