Luke 9

     9:1-6.  Cf. Luke 22:35-36, where Jesus’ instructions are different when he prepares to leave them alone in the world.  Prudence to provide for contingencies is then encouraged.

     9:23-24.  Cf. 1 Cor.15:31; Gal.2:20. 

     Jesus calls for a daily dying to the self to follow him.  He who loses his own life in Christ is taken up with Christ.  The one who shrinks back to save himself ends up cut off from life.  All who die in Christ die as martyrs (Gr. “witnesses”, see Strong’s #3144).

     9:27-50.  See Mark 9 notes.

     9:51.  Cf. Ezek.21:1-7 (esp.v.2).

     9:58.  Nests should be roosts (margin).  Birds don’t retire to nests.  This is an important theological point with me.

     9:61-62.  This is more severe than 1 Kings 19:19-20, where Elijah allowed Elisha to say good-bye.  He was plowing at the time, so Jesus may have meant to call attention to this incident.  Jesus’ call is very radical.  Also, as Jesus was soon going to Jerusalem to die, his call to this man was now or never.  Perhaps it might be to us as well.