Luke 9:51-62

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Samaritans Reject the Lord; Responses of Would-Be Disciples

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Son of Man is our model for preaching.

  2. The Son of Man is our model for priorities.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let the dead bury the dead.

QUESTIONS

  1. What new revelation was made in Jesus’ ministry in Luke 9?

  2. Why did most Jews hate the Samaritans?

  3. How did the Samaritans respond to the Lord and His disciples?

  4. Is it wrong for missionaries or those involved in full-time ministry to own a home (verse 58)?

  5. What was Jesus’ point when He said, “Let the dead bury their own dead”?

ANSWERS

  1. The Lord began to reveal to His disciples that the earthly kingdom they expected was not going to be set up at this time, because the nation was rejecting their Messiah and king.

  2. The Samaritans were considered a mixed race by the Jews. Their race began in the 8th century B.C. when the Jews of the northern tribes intermarried with the non-Jews that the Assyrians brought into the land.

  3. The Samaritans did not welcome and receive the Lord with hospitality because they were Jewish and were on their way to Jerusalem where the true Temple of the Lord was located.

  4. No, Jesus’ point here is that the normal expected comforts of life may have to be given up if your priorities are in order as a disciple.

  5. He meant, let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead. Unbelievers can take care of the normal and necessary requirements of life, such as burying the dead, but unbelievers can’t proclaim the kingdom of God. Only those who are spiritually alive can do that.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. James and John were full of fiery zeal, but it was not channeled in the right direction. Have you ever seen a preacher preach with fiery zeal, but his message was more intent on sending people to Hell than rescuing or delivering them? Look at the Lord’s example for balance on this issue.

  2. The three would-be disciples each made an excuse for not following the Lord when the demanding terms of discipleship were explained. In each case it was a matter of priorities. Share some of your priorities that often get in the way of your service to the Lord.

CHALLENGE

  1. Do you recognize your highest priority in life as representing the Lord and His kingdom? You will have many other responsibilities, but set your priorities in order and the rest will fall in place.

KEY VERSES

  • “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51

  • “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” Luke 9:56

  • “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Luke 9:58

Luke, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 9:51-62