There’s a familiar Q&A exchange between Jesus and His disciples in Luke 9:18-22. Jesus asks them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” And then after they answer, He redirects the question to them and asks them “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” And then Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah.
Most commentaries will focus either on this declaration of Peter about the identity of Jesus as the Messiah, or on our response to the question “Who do you say I am?” In fact, I myself have spoken about this question in a previous episode of Pathways of Hope, using the version found in Matthew 16.
For today, I want to focus on something else. Today’s gospel ends with a twist. First it starts with the good news about Jesus confirming that He is the Messiah. But in v21 it says: “Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.“
What’s going on here?
First of all, Jesus learns that the crowds are indeed impressed with Him, but they still don’t appreciate who He really is. Actually, Jesus is relieved that – at this point in His ministry – this is all that the crowds think He is. And then when Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus happily (in the version of Matthew) rewards Peter with the keys to the kingdom.
But then instead of telling them, “Now go, and clear this identity issue in everyone’s minds, please, and tell them that I am the Messiah,” He forbids them from telling anyone about this.
I can imagine how confused and frustrated Peter and the other disciples might have been. If I was there, I’d feel the same thing. I mean, “Why not declare this good news already? All of Israel has been waiting for the Messiah for 700 years, and now that you’re The One, why not let everyone know already, so we can plan your takeover and we can finally have a good king once again.”
What about you? When you’ve been praying and praying for a big break in your life situation (whether a job, a baby, a relationship, a solution to your health issues, or whatever) and when opportunities open up for that big break that you’ve been hoping for, aren’t you excited to move forward immediately? How would you feel if something were to stop you from proceeding further? You’d be disappointed, or frustrated, and maybe even angry, right?
Confusion first, before clarity
Let’s go back to the story and see what message of hope there is for us.
First of all, the reason why Jesus wanted the disciples to keep quiet about this matter was because He had a plan about how we would establish His Kingdom. He explained this in verse 22 by saying: “The Son of Man (referring to Himself) must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Again, what a confusing statement, isn’t it? Note that this is the first of many times that Jesus will be telling them about His destiny. Still, how confusing can that be, right? First of all, after waiting for 700 years, a Messiah comes, but even before he gets on his throne and rules the people, he will be put to death. What’s that all about?
Of course, we all know what really happened, and we all know that Jesus was not interested in a political takeover of Israel. He was destined to be the King of all mankind. And the way to His throne was to take up His cross, after which God would raise Him from the dead. And this resurrection victory is how His Kingdom over all mankind would be established.
And so when His crucifixion and resurrection did actually happen and then after the Holy Spirit opened the eyes and minds of the apostles, then the good news spread like wildfire. And ever since then and all the way until today 2000 years and going strong, people praise and glorify Jesus as the King of all Kings. Hallelujah!
Three Lessons
Now, let’s go back to how the disciples were confused or frustrated with this twist in the plot, and what we can learn about how God wants us to deal with the confusion, frustrations, setbacks, and disappointments that happen in our lives. There are three lessons we can learn from this gospel twist.
Lesson 1
In the gospel today, we can see that none of the disciples – even after having been with Jesus for quite a while, and even after seeing all the wonderful things that He did, and the wisdom that He preached – none of them could possibly have imagined how it would all turn out.
Sometimes what we think is best, isn’t always the best. We can’t possibly know everything that is going on. Much less, we can’t really predict the future. And even if we have a plan for our lives, we can’t be fully in control of everything that can affect our plans.
The crucifixion of Jesus might have seemed to the disciples that this was unplanned and unexpected – but we know the story and how it unfolded perfectly. Be assured, by dear friends, that whatever is going on in your life – or whatever is NOT going on in your life according to your expectations – God’s good and wise plan for you will unfold at the perfect time.
My point? Don’t trust in your human understanding. Trust God instead, because He knows everything.
Lesson 2
When our mind is in turmoil, when we’re all mixed up, when we don’t even know where to begin to sort out a problem, we get confused. And because this modern world is such a complex and fast-moving place, we can be confused a lot!
Look at what Jesus was telling the disciples. He told them about His passion and death and resurrection. And yet, they were still confused. And more so, when the crucifixion actually did happen. And even after the joyful resurrection of Jesus, they were still confused. Not until they received an outpouring of the Holy Spirit did they finally see clearly what the good news was, and then gained the courage to proclaim the good news to the whole world.
Well, the good news is, the Holy Spirit is promised to all of us in our day to day life situation. So, I want you to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who lives in you to give wisdom, discernment, and guidance. This amazing gift of God’s own presence within you helps you be less confused. Yes, it is a free gift. Don’t neglect this gift!
My dear brothers and sisters, if there’s any prayer that God will answer immediately, it is the prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and to open our eyes and mind to the loving presence of Jesus even in our troubling and frustrating and confused situation.
Lesson 3
Third, and my last point for today. Our lives would be less confusing and less frustrating if we accept the truth that God is truly in control, and He is powerful and that there is nothing that He cannot do. Even though things may not go your way today, even when it seems like your boat is sinking in the storm, or you’ve been fishing all night long and catch nothing, or when you’re only hope for support and inspiration is tortured and crucified, know and believe that God is in control of everything. And because He loves you, He continues to work for what is best for you and for me, in all the impossible ways that we can never imagine.
Let us pray, shall we?
Lord, I praise You … for You are all wise, all powerful, and all loving, and You are constantly watching over us, and working for our good always. I pray, in the name of Jesus, for a special outpouring of Your Holy Spirit on those who are praying with me right now. That Your Holy Spirit will open their eyes, minds and hearts to Your loving presence, assuring them and making clear to them that no confusing situation, no frustrated dreams, or no disappointing outcomes will ever separate them from your love, and that they will experience peace and joy right now, knowing how high, how wide and how deep your love is for them. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
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