We essentially acquire new skills via teaching and training, the combination of these two forms of learning is the best way to develop a new skill trait! There are some learning programs that involve only teaching, teaching as in talking or lecturing, which focuses on the body of knowledge in a particular field. There is a part that focuses just on training, you learn as you are shown practically how something is done. The best learning program is that which combines the two: teaching and training.
Jesus' school of ministry combines both the teaching and training method in the school of faith. In chapters 7-8 the emphasis of our discussion bothers on the subject of faith, Jesus taught it theoretically and graphically how faith works. Theoretically through his teaching and graphically through the various miracles that the disciples witnessed! Here in Luke 9 and beginning from verse 1-27, the disciples were about to put to test all that they have learned from the master and this shall be the focus of our study for Luke Chapter 9. There were other significant talking points in Luke 9 which includes:
•the confession of Jesus as Lord and Saviour by Peter
•the teaching on the cross and Christianity
•the transfiguration of Christ
•the failure of the disciples to cast out a demon-possessed child and many others
But we will dwell on their first preaching assignment and then the feeding of the 5000
THE TEXT
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere" Luke 9:1-6 KJV
This would be their first preaching assignments and what an impact they had, the Bible says they went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. Hallelujah!
However, this gospel campaign and expedition came with some strict instructions: they were not to make provisions for their basic needs. Jesus warned, "take nothing for your journey" and they obeyed this instruction of faith. How do we know this? Later on in Luke 22:35, Jesus made reference to what happened here.
"And he said unto them When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing". Luke 22:35 KJV
This showed clearly the disciples obeyed Jesus' instruction of faith to the letter and passed with flying colors, the master asked if they lacked anything and they said nothing!
The second training followed immediately after in verses 11-17
"And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all these people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets"
Luke 9:11-17KJV
Thousands of men have been in Jesus' seminar hearing his words and having their diseased healed. It looks like a long camp meeting. At the end of it all, the disciples came and told the master to stop the meeting and let the people go away. Jesus thought not so, he told them to feed them. Now, what a test that was, feeding 5000 in the midst of nowhere? How many feeding outlets can handle that at a go? Well, the disciples told him how can we do that when we have just 5 loaves of bread and two fishes. I am sure with this answer they would have thought that the master will give up and allow the people to go home and cater for themselves, which I believe was their intent. However, the master asked that the 5000 people be grouped in the 50s and as the prayer of Thanksgiving was offered the canteen of heaven was opened and 5000 got well fed and they couldn't take any more! In the end, 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered.
THE LESSONS
From these two experiences, the master was trying to pass across some lessons to the disciples from which we could all learn.
1. The Lord teaches us to trust Him by commanding us to do that which is beyond our means to do. The Bible did tell us that God's commandment are not grievous but sometimes they are imperious! First, he asked the disciples not to take purse not scrip for a gospel campaign that will take days. Again He asked the disciples to feed 5000 men, excluding women and children. When you stop to think about it, all of the commands of God are impossible for fallen, sinful men to obey. That is why we must not only be saved by faith, but we must walk by faith. God’s commandments are not humanly possible.
Jesus’ burden is light, not because it is easy, but because He provides the means to do what He commands (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). Whatever is beyond us will always require God!
Read full blog post here UNDERSTANDING CHRIST: A Look Through The Book of Luke - Luke 9
Jesus' school of ministry combines both the teaching and training method in the school of faith. In chapters 7-8 the emphasis of our discussion bothers on the subject of faith, Jesus taught it theoretically and graphically how faith works. Theoretically through his teaching and graphically through the various miracles that the disciples witnessed! Here in Luke 9 and beginning from verse 1-27, the disciples were about to put to test all that they have learned from the master and this shall be the focus of our study for Luke Chapter 9. There were other significant talking points in Luke 9 which includes:
•the confession of Jesus as Lord and Saviour by Peter
•the teaching on the cross and Christianity
•the transfiguration of Christ
•the failure of the disciples to cast out a demon-possessed child and many others
But we will dwell on their first preaching assignment and then the feeding of the 5000
THE TEXT
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere" Luke 9:1-6 KJV
This would be their first preaching assignments and what an impact they had, the Bible says they went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. Hallelujah!
However, this gospel campaign and expedition came with some strict instructions: they were not to make provisions for their basic needs. Jesus warned, "take nothing for your journey" and they obeyed this instruction of faith. How do we know this? Later on in Luke 22:35, Jesus made reference to what happened here.
"And he said unto them When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing". Luke 22:35 KJV
This showed clearly the disciples obeyed Jesus' instruction of faith to the letter and passed with flying colors, the master asked if they lacked anything and they said nothing!
The second training followed immediately after in verses 11-17
"And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all these people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets"
Luke 9:11-17KJV
Thousands of men have been in Jesus' seminar hearing his words and having their diseased healed. It looks like a long camp meeting. At the end of it all, the disciples came and told the master to stop the meeting and let the people go away. Jesus thought not so, he told them to feed them. Now, what a test that was, feeding 5000 in the midst of nowhere? How many feeding outlets can handle that at a go? Well, the disciples told him how can we do that when we have just 5 loaves of bread and two fishes. I am sure with this answer they would have thought that the master will give up and allow the people to go home and cater for themselves, which I believe was their intent. However, the master asked that the 5000 people be grouped in the 50s and as the prayer of Thanksgiving was offered the canteen of heaven was opened and 5000 got well fed and they couldn't take any more! In the end, 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered.
THE LESSONS
From these two experiences, the master was trying to pass across some lessons to the disciples from which we could all learn.
1. The Lord teaches us to trust Him by commanding us to do that which is beyond our means to do. The Bible did tell us that God's commandment are not grievous but sometimes they are imperious! First, he asked the disciples not to take purse not scrip for a gospel campaign that will take days. Again He asked the disciples to feed 5000 men, excluding women and children. When you stop to think about it, all of the commands of God are impossible for fallen, sinful men to obey. That is why we must not only be saved by faith, but we must walk by faith. God’s commandments are not humanly possible.
Jesus’ burden is light, not because it is easy, but because He provides the means to do what He commands (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). Whatever is beyond us will always require God!
Read full blog post here UNDERSTANDING CHRIST: A Look Through The Book of Luke - Luke 9
