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As always lets begin by praying for wisdom and for God to open up his word to us. Now let’s begin.

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

The apostles of Christ are now first given their authority over the spiritual realm. I find it interesting that the two are interlinked. Perhaps it is authority over the all creatures. Not sure but the effect was the ability to cast out spirits and to cure diseases.

² And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

The apostles are to travel all of the region. Not only to heal but to preach the kingdom of God.

³ And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

The reason for this is to represent the urgency in their message. How often do we like to plan and plan and never actually accomplish our own goals for the sake of planning alone. Jesus knew he only had so many days and hours left before he had to complete the greater workings. So there was certainly an urgency. One that the disciples would not discern until later.

⁴ And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

⁵ 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.

⁶ And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

When he says everywhere he meant it. All of Galilee would see them and hear their preaching. He had a mission for them to complete. I cannot stress this enough. Is Christ calling you to a mission? You better hurry.

⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

So naturally people went to Herod. People would have been in an uproar. The spiritual leaders and the gentiles. So Herod is like what is this!?

⁸ And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

There is so many people around working miracles that naturally rumors like that would spread. Remember Elijah did not die, he was called up into heaven, like Enoch. So the Jewish people had a tradition of leaving a seat open for him. They still do this today in expectation of his return.

⁹ And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Herod is now scratching his head, thinking I killed John. Who could this person be? The thing about Christ is he did not really hang around with powerful people. Instead he hung around common folk. So Herod would not really have much information that he could trust. He would certainly not be able to get proper intelligence at this time. So an endless string of rumors is all he has to go on. No doubt frustrating, angering, and probably scaring him.

¹⁰ And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

So they reported to Jesus what had happened and you would expect them to return to their headquarters in Capernuam. Instead they head to the northeast in Bethsaida. Most likely for some privacy and time to relax.

¹¹ 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.

Now they were known by all of the people in the region and naturally with popularity comes crowds. Privacy is sacrificed on the alter of popularity. Remember that before venturing to take that mantel. You will never be alone again.

¹² 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.

So the apostles are asking Jesus to send them away. They are tired of all the people. Worse they were not even locals from what it looks like.

¹³ 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 this people.

Now clearly they do not have enough food or money to feed all these people. They are looking at a “multitude” later we find out around five thousand men. That is a lot of people to feed with two fish and five loafs of bread.

¹⁴ For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

Jesus is not bothered by this. The number would be much higher than five thousand as this is only counting the men. So there would have been woman and children among them too. He has them sit down. Obviously with crowds that large you cant hand out food to them orderly. Instead you have to bring it to them.

¹⁵ And they did so, and made them all sit down.

So now we have the apostles standing before an ocean of people looking out and most likely recognizing the hopelessness of the situation.

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

This demonstrates something to us. Jesus is what will make us sufficiently whole, in everything. You cannot take this any other way than that through miraculous authority Christ is able to feed everyone with next to nothing. Why? Because Jesus is everything.

¹⁸ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Everyone most likely is asking themselves this question, the crowds, the people, the religious leaders, the disciples, even Herod the authorities.

¹⁹ They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

This is traditionally what the people were expecting. So we see it repeated the same as Herod received.

²⁰ He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

Now Jesus asks his apostles.

²¹ And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

In Luke’s mind he parallels these two events. First the story of the feeding of the people and the story of Peter’s declaration. Now Jesus commands them to tell no one about that. Why? At this time they had a standing army right near them. Five thousand men. If they believed he was the Messiah (the military commander) there would most certainly have been a rebellion. This is not what Jesus came here to accomplish.

²² Saying, 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.

He is informing them of the scope of his true mission now. He also told them about his resurrection but we will find them falter in their faith at his death.

²³ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

I believe this is directed for the disciples. Jesus is telling them if you follow me you are going to die, you will suffer, and you will be struggling. Indeed all but John was killed by the hands of the people. John they tried to kill but he was spared death but suffering, he suffered surviving.

Likewise today, you will be hated for being a Christian. The world’s systems are not the ways of God. Granted the community of Christian’s has increased but many of those people are steeped in their tradition and will still abandon you as the world does for telling the truth. Remember that we are to stand strong in Christ and take our comfort in him. It is the only way to withstand the trials set before us.

²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Here we have the martyrs promise.

²⁵ For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Christ is telling all of us not to live for the pleasures of a comfortable life but rather to walk with him. Now, this is not to say to live an uncomfortable life. There are blessings untold that will befall upon you when following Christ, most great of which will be internal and in your heart. There are times when God will shower you with comforts. Never allow those comforts to slow your walk with the Lord though. Remember to always daily to progress the Kingdom of Heaven.

²⁶ For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

The cross was a symbol of guilt and shame in Rome. It was the most dreadful execution system they used. No one would think of it as a good symbol. Christ is saying to bare him and his name and not to be ashamed of his words or his teachings. In fact now that the cross is a good symbol testifies to Christs blessing on the world.

²⁷ But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

A lot of people use this as a unfulfilled prophecy and thus the bible is wrong or that the Kingdom of heaven is on earth and not spiritual. This is in reference to the transfiguration. Three of the apostles witnessed Christ in his true glory and the kingdom.

²⁸ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

²⁹ And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Something weird is happening. So we need to really look closely at this and translate stuff out. First, we are told that Jesus took Peter, John, and James onto a mountain (Mount Hermon) to pray. However, we are told that when Jesus prayed THE FASHION OF HIS COUNTENANCE WAS ALTERED! What the heck does that mean?!

So let’s start with that.

En proseuchesthai (ἐν προσεύχεσθαι) En; in/on/at/by/with/while, proseuchesthai; to pray. From that I get “While praying”. Eidos (εἶδος); which means that which is seen/form. Prosōpou (προσώπου); the face or eye. Egenento (ἐγένετο); to come into being, to happen, to become.

So here is what I got so far…

“While praying the form of his face (or eyes) became”

Eteron (ἕτερον); other/different. Imatismos (ἱματισμὸς); clothing. Leukos (λευκὸς); bright/white. Exastraptōn (ἐξαστράπτων); to flash or gleam like lightning, to be radiant. Alright alright, so here is what I ended up with.

“While praying the form of his face (or eyes) became different, and Jesus’s clothing brightened white gleaming like radiant lightning.”

What! That didn’t help at all. It means just what it says though. Jesus apparently transformed into his true form in front of the three. While he prayed. It gets stranger though.

³⁰ And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

³¹ Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Now we have Moses and Elijah appear out of nowhere. One of which we know is dead, Moses. So I am going to make a really strange suggestion. We are looking at something extra dimensional happening. You know about length, height, and width, well time is another dimension proven by Einstein’s theory of relativity.

Ok so what I am going to suggest is we are witnessing a turning of some sort that is in a dimension unknown to us. This is why they appeared out of nowhere. Perhaps some sort of folding to allow heaven to shine through. I believe this is what was witnessed when the dove came down from heaven when Jesus was baptized.

This is not a physically impossible thing. We understand due to quantum mechanics that things like this could happen through moving in ways that we don’t completely understand. Granted I am a laymen when it comes to such topics. In no way shape or form am I claiming to understand those fields of science but admittedly neither do they. Most everything is all theoretical at this point.

So in simple terms; we are looking at something supernatural.

³² But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

So apparently Jesus was praying so long that night that they fell asleep during his prayer. When they woke up, they saw this! I would imagine that it would not take them long to after being greeted by that.

³³ And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

This reaction may seem strange, but there is something called the Feast of Tabernacles which most likely he had in mind. Basically think Thanksgiving only it has the coming Kingdom associated with it. So Peter woke up and immediately thought of that. Which suggests it was probably within a reasonable time frame maybe even the eve of.

Funny it mentions he is not knowing what he said. Did he misspeak?

³⁴ While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

So this cloud comes over the group and it overshadows them. As the cloud came over them they feared.

³⁵ And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

We can assume this is father God. Once again I am suggesting something extra dimensional is happening. God again declares Christ as his son.

³⁶ And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Jesus had them keep their little meeting with God, Moses, and Elijah a secret. I can’t imagine how they possibly could do it. I mean considering all that happened how did those three not tell the other nine of it at least. Amazing willpower there. I can keep a secret pretty well too, but that, I am not sure I could have kept that a secret. Which begs the question, did other things happen before them that they kept secret from scripture entirely?

³⁷ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

³⁸ And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

³⁹ And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

⁴⁰ And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

So what is happening is a spirit of some kind, maybe a demon, maybe not; is troubling this man’s son. Now it departs and comes back, meaning it is not really seeking embodiment but rather is just tormenting this person. Most likely suggesting some sort of preconditioning in the occult. Not only that but the person foams at the mouth and falls into convulsions when it enters him. Bruising is not as impactful as the word used in the Greek. It is suntribon (συντρῖβον); to break in pieces, to crush; it is more like mauling him.

These disciples attempted to cast out this spirit but failed. Interesting. This spirit isn’t under their authority. So what is the problem?

⁴¹ And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

Jesus says that he is suffering them. So is this spirit being invited on their own accord. Faithless, so these people are without faith. The word for faith is apistos (ἄπιστος); unbelieving. So they had no belief in God or Jesus or the disciples. He is not saying this of his disciples but rather the people dealing with this spirit. Perverse as well. The word perverse is diestrammenē (διεστραμμένη); which means to distort, misinterpret, to corrupt. So we can see that perverse here is something to do with the message given to them. Thus the spirit returns.

They are not following instruction to keep the spirit away. Instead of repenting of whatever it is that they were doing, they continued to practice whatever they did thus allowing the spirit to return. This is something we have lost in the modern era. There is such things as spiritual health, spiritual discipline, and spiritual protection.

Those that practice New Age will understand what I am saying. Things in the physical world can affect the spiritual world and vise versa. This is NO ENDORSEMENT of New Age, that is of the Satan and a cheap counterfeit to what God offers. Through Christ and in Christ we have spiritual protection, health, and discipline.

Let this be a warning to you who seek out Christian’s to exorcise unclean spirits when you fail to close your rites properly. You should not be practicing such things at all and repent of them. This is why the spirits upon return bring others with them. They never go away no matter how many times you banish them. They will always find their way back and each time bring a larger and larger group of spirits with them.

Accept Christ my friend. Allow him to protect you from all forms of evil and curse.

⁴² And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

This child was being mauled, thrown down, foaming at the mouth, forced into convulsions and most likely all of which was the father’s fault for not keeping his house. Jesus remedied this easily.

⁴³ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

⁴⁴ Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

⁴⁵ But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

You might be wondering how the disciples could have missed what Jesus was telling them. I think I have an explanation for it. Jesus is working all of these miracles and everyone pretty much loves Jesus, well accept for the authorities. However, they would have no power over Jesus. By now they understand who he is. If he wanted to Jesus could destroy these people. If one has the command over all the spirits and all the diseases of the world and can heal, then he can do hideous things with that power too. He could command the demons to besiege, he could command every kind of disease and plague to swallow the nations, he could order the very earth to slaughter for him. If he can mend a wound he could cause wounds as well. How could such a man be taken by the people? This is what marvels them and failed for them to understand fully who he was. After all, this is the son of the same God who flooded the earth.

⁴⁶ Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

⁴⁷ And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

⁴⁸ And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

You may have heard this term before “One for all and all for one.” Meaning that everyone among them is equal. This is pretty much the same. We are all equally loved and equally as great as one another. No point in proving who is greater in this sense since we are all for each other. Our collectives as Christians makes us all strong. So we should all the best we can be for the rest.

⁴⁹ And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

What the issue is here is John came upon someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus. So John not recognizing him thought he should not be doing that because he did not know Jesus personally as they did. In a way he is protecting the reputation of Christ. However, as Christ points out, if someone is not against us then they are for us.

Likewise if someone is not against Christ we should never favor our denomination over another. The order of the Ecclesia has been cut into so many pieces people in fight when we should really be working together. Unity cannot be based on doctrine. We shall always have disagreement.

⁵¹ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

⁵² And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

⁵³ And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

There is a conflict between these two groups of people. Basically think modern day “Palestinians” and the Jewish people.

⁵⁴ And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Elijah did indeed call down fire from heaven. However these were a hostile people.

¹⁰ And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

2 Kings 1:10 KJV

Being Jews James and John also held the same dislike for the Samaritans. It had been done on Israel’s enemies before. So why not now?

⁵⁵ But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

⁵⁶ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Righteousness has a bad habit of turning into pride. If anyone has a question as to what spirit that is, that is the spirit of the devil. Anyone who upsets him he seeks to destroy. The idea of calling fire and brimstone on a people is ridiculous. We as Christians did not come to make war but we are messengers of peace to the world.

If God wanted a hostile take over of the world he does not need our help doing it. Never ever seek to destroy what you can assist and heal. Jesus did not smite the sick to death, he healed them. Likewise we should do the same in the face of rejection. Jesus has plans for those people but in his time.

⁵⁷ And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

⁵⁸ And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Keep this in mind, Jesus is walking to his death right now. He is warning this man that he has no place in this world and following him means that he shall not either. In order to follow Christ that day means he would have to extinguish himself of all the necessities and comforts of life.

⁵⁹ And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Once again Jesus is walking to his death.

⁶⁰ Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

This is Jesus telling him that the spiritually dead can bury the physically dead. A Christian knows that a dead body is simply a body without a spirit. It is not that the person who died in Christ is dead, rather they have crossed over so it should not be for our concern; the burial ceremonies. Once again Jesus is walking to his death. His appointment is urgent.

⁶¹ And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Once again Jesus is walking to his death. Have I made that point clear? In this moment, nothing was more important than this. All of history was pointing to this time. We all are eternally blessed from the greatest act of love ever displayed.

⁶² And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Jesus is saying he does not have the time to wait. The one objective in life is to get right with him. You cannot be duel minded about it. If you are reading these words and believe but are not assured or worse are not a Christian, I am telling you this. Nothing else in life matters more than you getting right with God. Until you have come into the Holy Spirit with Christ and recognize him as Lord, NOTHING MATTERS! Your job, eating, sleeping, drinking, spend time finding the truth is all you should be doing. Every moment you have, and not a moment less.

I pray this has benefited you. Praise God and blessed be those that go in his name.

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