QT 04/03/2024 Monday Luke 9. The costs of raising disciples. 培养门徒的代价。

QT 04/03/2024 Monday Luke 9
http://www.esvbible.org/luke9

The disciples had just learnt from the Lord and were ready to go for their “internships” in ministry, "to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal" (Luke 9:2).

This was a challenging task! Early in their ministry, Jesus wanted them to rely on Him, and not on their own resources (Luke 9:3); that they be tough when faced with a hard prospect, and be humble when faced with a kind one (Luke 9:4-5).

But these were the smaller, easier lessons. Tougher lessons from Jesus were to follow:

Peter started to learn what it would take to declare Christ as the Messiah (Luke 9:18-21). This was not an easy thing to do, as Peter would find out later;

Jesus predicted His own death and in a sense foretold the disciples’ deaths (Luke 9:23-26). Many of them would die violently eventually; and

Jesus reversed their expectations on the price they had to pay and the reward they were expecting to receive (Luke 9:23-27).

REFLECTIONS – What Price Discipleship?

What does it mean to take up our cross and what is the “life” that we expect to lose?  (Luke 9:23-24)

What is the expected sacrifice and what is the reward?  (Luke 9:46-47)

S-Word, we have read all about the cost and the price of following Jesus and becoming his disciples. Are we willing to let ourselves become less, learn from the Master and be true disciples?

Let's get serious on discipleship.  This means a daily denial of the self which may require giving up the world and giving in to God and His purposes.

But it also means that we get a real piece of the meaningful action in His kingdom.  Let’s make these lessons count by letting ourselves and our contributions become pleasing sacrifices! Just as His will is done on earth as it is in heaven, so is the reward of an abundant life here and great treasures there given!

星期一 2024年3月4日 今日读经：路加福音9章
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Luk/9/

门徒刚从主那里得知，也预备好在事工上“实习”、去“宣讲神的国和医治病人”(路9:2)。

这是一个富挑战性的任务！门徒在早期的事工上，耶稣要他们依靠祂，而不是靠自己的资源(路9:3);在面对难搞的对象时能够坚强，在面对善良的对象时谦卑(路9:4-5)。

但这些都是较小、较简单的功课。接下来是在耶稣那学习更难的功课:

彼得开始学习在宣告耶稣是弥赛亚时所必须付出的代价(路9:18-21)。这不是件容易的事，彼得接下来便知道了；

耶稣预测自己的死并暗示门徒凡跟随祂的也会面临死亡(路9:23-26)。很多个门徒到最后会死得很惨；

耶稣在他们预期自己当付出的代价和期望得到的赏赐的事上，颠覆了他们的思想(路9:23-27)。

反思--何谓门徒的代价？

背起十字架是什么意思，丧失掉“生命”到底指的是失去些什么？(路9:23-24)

要牺牲什么，赏赐又是什么?(路9:46-47)

为道，我们都读到有关跟随耶稣和成为祂门徒的代价。我们是否愿意让自己变得渺小、和师傅学习并成为真正的门徒？

让我们认真看待成为门徒这件事。这里指的是每天自我否定，当中或许需要你放弃这个世界，顺服神和祂的旨意。

但这也表示在祂的国度的事上，我们有份参与这有意义的事。让我们落实这些功课，让我们和我们的贡献能够成为神所悦纳的祭！就如祂的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上，那么在地上的赏赐就是丰盛的人生，在天上则是大大的赏赐！