Huddle 4.25.21
Huddle 4.25.21
Read through the passages from this week and last week again.
Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and[p]gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. – Luke 9:28-36
And it came about on the next day, that when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met Him. And behold, a man from the multitude shouted out, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy, and behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth, and as it mauls him, it scarcely leaves him. “And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” And Jesus answered and said, “O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son here.” And while he was still approaching, the demon dashed him to the ground, and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. – Luke 9:37-42
These two passages demonstrate what the spectrum of following Jesus can look like. When have you resonated with the 3 disciples who accompanied Jesus? When have you resonated with the 9 disciples who did not accompany Jesus onto the mountaintop? How did these two seasons differ?
Which of the two failures of the disciples do you most connect with? Why?
Our ability to be agents of restoration hinges upon our communion with the Father and dependence upon his Spirit. What does it look like for Jesus to “step into the messiness” in your life? Is this something that challenges you? What areas of your life would you ask Jesus to enter into?
Read the closing passage again.
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement. An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:43-50
The disciples were concerned with status and compassion over Jesus. What in your life do you tend to place over Jesus?
As a group, pray together:
Lord, show me where I have lost sight of what you have called me to do or been consumed by competition and comparison. Enter into my messiness, and help me experience the hope and restoration you bring.