The Messiah and His Mission

MEMORY VERSE: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” —Luke 9:24

LUKE 9:18-22, 57-62

THE mission of the Messiah, as foretold in the Old Testament, was to die to redeem mankind from death; and later, at his second advent, to establish a kingdom, through the agencies of which the redeemed world of mankind would be enlightened and given an opportunity to be restored to human perfection and live forever. When Peter testified his belief that Jesus was the Messiah, or Christ, he expected that his Master would establish the foretold messianic kingdom at that time. Peter and the other disciples did not understand that Jesus must first suffer and die as the world’s Redeemer.

Jesus explained this point to the disciples, but they did not fully grasp it until they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He said to them, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” (vs. 22) To this Jesus added, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”—vs. 23

Thus did Jesus reveal to his disciples not only that he must himself suffer and die before his kingdom would be established, but that they, in order to be associated with him as his followers, would need to suffer and die with him—to take up their cross and follow him into death. Our memory verse also stresses this truth by revealing that the only way they could save their lives as his disciples would be to lose their lives for his sake, bearing witness to the Gospel of the kingdom.

Peter objected to the idea that Jesus should surrender to his enemies and let them put him to death. He said to Jesus, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” But Jesus said to Peter, “Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matt. 16:21-23) It was then that Jesus explained that it was necessary for one to lose his life in order to save it.

Jesus had covenanted to do his Father’s will, and that will was that he should die as man’s Redeemer. Should he seek release from that covenant and not yield himself to be sacrificed, it would mean unfaithfulness. While he might thus temporarily save his human life, he would in the end lose everything, including his human life, and also the divine life which had been promised. So Peter’s advice did not express the Heavenly Father’s will. It was merely an expression based on human reasoning.

The same principle applies to us, the followers of Jesus. The teaching in many churches is that the faithful Christian may expect to enjoy prosperity and well-being. But this is contrary to the teachings of Jesus as they relate to his followers. The Christian way is a way of sacrifice and suffering. We are invited to lay down our lives in the service of the Lord and of his truth. If we have dedicated our lives to this great cause, and then draw back, the Lord will have no pleasure in us, and we will lose everything.

The seriousness of being a follower of the Master is further attested to in the second part of our lesson. To one who indicated to Jesus that he desired to be one of his followers, Jesus said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58) The implication is that those who follow Jesus must be prepared to sacrifice everything of an earthly nature, even as he had done. How different this is from the “Gospel” that is being so widely preached today in an effort to induce people to join the church!

Jesus said to another, “Follow me,” but this man replied, “Lord, suffer me first to bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury the dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (vss. 59,60) Here Jesus is referring to the whole world of mankind as being dead. They are dead in trespasses and sin, under the condemnation to death which came upon Adam because of original sin. These could very well bury those among them who had gone all the way into death, whereas the individual here or there who sees the vision of truth should be active in its service.

We do not need to suppose that the “father” in this illustration had already died. It was probably a case where the called one wished to tarry until such time as his father did die so that he might be on hand to arrange for the burial. This might be a matter of years, and those contemplating dedicating themselves to the Lord and his service should not thus delay. They should not delay for any reason.

QUESTIONS

What is the twofold mission of the Messiah?

Explain how a Christian saves his life by losing it.

Should those considering consecration use any excuses to delay taking their stand?

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