Old Testament Reading: Numbers 11:16-30

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone. And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?’ But Moses said, ‘The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?’ And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.’ So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.” (Numbers 11:16–30, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 9:46-56

“An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put 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 he who is least among you all is the one who is great.’ John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’ When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” (Luke 9:46–56, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

To fully appreciate this section of Luke’s gospel, we must get into the heads of the disciples of Jesus to know what they were thinking. And no, I am not suggesting that we engage in blind speculation. How, you ask, can we possibly know what the disciples of Jesus were thinking? Well, Luke makes it clear enough in his gospel. 

It appears that, at this moment in time, the disciples of Jesus had visions of power and glory dancing in their heads. And to be fair, it is not difficult to see why. They were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah (see Luke 9:20). They had witnessed him perform many miracles – he had healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, calmed the wind and waves with his word, and fed a great multitude until they were full and satisfied with only five loaves of bread and two small fish. And we should not forget what Peter, James, and John saw. Jesus, not long before this was transfigured on the mountain. Christ appeared before their eyes in his glory with Moses and Elijah by his side. When he came down from the mountain he healed the boy with a demon in the presence of a great multitude, and we are told that “all were astonished at the majesty of God” (Luke 9:43). Everything about Jesus’ – his person and his works – pointed to a glorious future. And these men –  the twelve disciples – were his friends. They knew that Jesus was the long-awaited King of God’s Kingdom, and they were friends of the King! 

So it is not hard to see why the disciples of Jesus had visions of power and glory dancing through their heads. You and I probably would too! What if you were a part of the inner circle of acquaintances of a man who was ascending to a powerful throne? Picture yourself as a close friend of King David when he was ascending to the throne. What would you be thinking? You might be thinking of the power and glory that would soon be yours. You might also be concerned about who was on your right and left. You might jockey for position to ensure that you would be greater than them when the kingdom came. You might also be concerned about rival factions within the future kingdom and the destruction of potential enemies. This is how men think in the kingdoms of this world. Those who wish to have power and glory in this world will jockey for position, they will put down potential rivals, and they will rain down destruction on their enemies before their enemies can get the upper hand. 

Sadly, we see this kind of thinking in the disciples of Jesus at this point in his ministry. He had to correct them. The disciples of Jesus were right concerning identity. He is the Christ of God. He is the King of God’s eternal Kingdom. But at this point in Jesus’ ministry, they still could not comprehend the nature of Christ’s kingdom or how it would be established. They could envision Christ seated upon his glorious throne. They could also see themselves seated around him on their twelve thrones. But they could not see the cross of Christ. And neither could they see the crosses that they would be called to bear. Would Christ and his disciples enter into glory? Yes, eventually. But first, they would they would need to bear their cross. Christ would have to bear his, and they would have to bear theirs, and in this way, they would enter into glory. Christ would be the first man to go to glory. He is the forerunner – he is the one who opened up the way. And all who are united to him by faith will enter glory too, because of what Christ has done for them. But the pattern is first the cross, and then then the glory. Jesus’ disciples needed to be taught this. And so do we. Christ is faithful to teach us.

Here in the text that is open before us today, we see the disciples of Jesus warned about three things. These three things are so common in the kingdoms of this world and yet they have no place in the kingdom of Christ: they are personal pride, a party spirit, and vengefulness. 

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There Is No Room For Personal Pride In The Kingdom Of Christ. 

Firstly, in verses 46-48, we learn that there is no room for personal pride or selfish ambition in the kingdom of Christ. 

There in verse 46 we read, “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.”

This is a very sad scene. What was Jesus doing? He was busy ministering to needy people. And what had Jesus commanded his disciples to do? Not long before this, he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23–24, ESV). But what were the disciples preoccupied with? They were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in Jesus’ glorious kingdom, which they undoubtedly thought would arrive very soon. 

Notice how patient Jesus is with his disciples. In verse 47 we read, “But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts…” That is an interesting expression, isn’t it? Jesus knew what the disciples were thinking and feeling. He knew the thoughts in their minds and the passions that were raging within them. And so, he “took a child and put 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 he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:47–48, ESV).

Jesus, being the skilled teacher that he is, used this small child as an illustration. I picture the child being so young that he could not comprehend the significance of the moment or the meaning of the words that were spoken – a toddler perhaps. Jesus put the child by his side. Can you picture the child standing next to Jesus and looking up at him? And what was the message that Jesus delivered? One, his disciples should be eager to receive or welcome those who are like this child. And two, the disciples of Jesus should aim to be like this child themselves. The question is, in what sense? Certainly, some things about children should not be emulated. Children need to mature. Children must grow in knowledge and wisdom. Typically, children are called to imitate those older and wiser than them, and not the other way around. So it should be clear to all that Jesus was not calling his disciples to be childish or immature. But he was calling them to be childlike in some sense. 

What is the childlike quality that Jesus wants us to imitate? In this instance, Jesus was calling his disciples to have a humble and lowly spirit before him. He was calling his disciples to be like this small child – meek and mild – unconcerned about things like status, power, and prestige.  

Granted, all illustrations can be pushed too far. Yes, I know, even little children will sometimes act selfishly, wanting to have all the toys for themselves, or some such thing. But Christ is not addressing simple selfishness in his disciples as much as he is addressing the more complex sin of pride and selfish ambition leading to quarreling and political maneuvering. Young children are typically free from these concerns. For example, if you were to put two toddlers together on a playground, one from a poor family and the other from a noble family, I doubt that the rich child would discriminate against the poor child, or that the poor child would be envious of the rich child – those toddlers would simply play. Why? Because the sin of pride has not yet overrun their hearts. Now, if you were to do this with teenagers or adults, you might run into problems. Sadly, as we grow older we become more aware of things like class, power, possessions, and status. The sins of pride, covetousness, and selfish ambition do not naturally diminish with time, instead, they grow like weeds and threaten to choke out the soul, leading to quarreling and even wars. 

The words of Christ at the end of verse 48 make the meaning of his illustration very clear. “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” In other words, Christ taught that things will be different in his kingdom – not only different, but upsidedown. In Christ’s kingdom, it is the one who is humble, who has put pride to death, and has laid aside all self-ambition who is great. 

All Christians need to hear this. Pride and selfish ambition have no place in the church. 

Husbands and wives need to hear this. The marriage relationship must be characterized by self-sacrificial love if it is to thrive

Parents need to hear this, and so do children. As we grow older we must learn more and more to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than [ourselves]” (Philippians 2:3, ESV).

This lesson that Christ taught his disciples on this day is especially important for pastors to hear.  The Apostles would soon be the leaders of the church. The church would built upon them. If they were filled with personal pride and selfish ambition, they would fracture and the church would be left without a foundation. These men needed to learn to lead humbly and selflessly, and they needed to learn it fast. Soon Christ would be crucified. He would be buried and raised, and then he would ascend. The Apostles would teach and lead and then the ministry would be instructed to pastors who are called to teach and lead. A pastor consumed by pride and selfish ambition will do much harm to the church. 

I’m reminded of the example that the Apostle Paul and his co-laborers set. He wrote to the Thessalonians saying, “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:5–8, ESV). 

May the Lord bless us all with the humble, meek, and mild disposition of a child – with hearts and minds unconcerned about power and prestige, and may Christ get all the glory. 

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There Is No Room For A Party Spirit In The Kingdom Of Christ

Secondly, in verses 49-50, we learn that there is no room for a party spirit in the kingdom of Christ. A party spirit is a factitious spirit – an attitude that says, everyone must be just like us, and if they are not just like us – a part of our tribe or tradition – then they must be opposed. 

In verse 49 we read, “John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you’” (Luke 9:49–50, ESV).

Notice a few things about this text. One, it reveals an interesting dynamic. Jesus had his twelve Apostles. These occupied a very special place in Jesus’ band of disciples. They had special authority. And there were others who followed Jesus too. We will consider the story of Jesus sending out the 70 (or 72) in Luke 10. So, we are to envision concentric circles – Peter, James, and John were closest to Jesus. There were 9 other Apostles besides them. And then surrounding them, there was a group of about 70 who followed Jesus. And we are also told that Jesus was often surrounded by a great multitude. Two, John was concerned about a person who did not follow Jesus closely with the other disciples. I take this to mean that he was not one of the twelve (obviously), nor was he one of the 70, and yet, this man was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. John wanted to know if he should be stopped. Three, “Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’” This saying should be read in light of what Christ will say in Luke 11:23: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23, ESV). All things considered, I think we are to place this man – whoever he was – in the category of one who believed in Jesus truly but did not walk in the most orderly way. He used the name of Jesus to cast out demons (perhaps he did this presumptuously and inappropriately), but notice, that the Lord was pleased to bring honor to the name of Christ by granting him success. John wanted to know if this man should be stopped given his disorderly conduct. Christ said “No”.   

Let us observe what this text does not say. The text does not say that those who teach false doctrine should not be opposed. This isn’t about that. And we see clearly in other passages of Scripture that those who teach false doctrine – especially false doctrines that threaten to undermine the Gospel – are rebuked and opposed, and rightly so. This situation was different. This man – whoever he was – was a follower of Jesus though he did not walk closely with Jesus’ band of disciples – the twelve and the 70 – and yet he was zealous to act. He cast out demons in Jesus’ name, and the Lord was pleased to allow it and to grant him success. 

It seems that the story of Numbers 11:16-30 which I read earlier is behind this account. Under the Old Covenant and in the days of Moses seventy elders were appointed to serve. They assembled at the Tabernacle, and as a sign that they were appointed by God to serve as elders, they were given the ability to prophesy temporarily. But there were two men who were not present with the 70 at the Tabernacle, and they prophesied too. Their names were “Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them” (this, but the way, would bring the number of elders to 72). In Numbers 11:28-30 we read, “And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, ‘My lord Moses, stop them.’ But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!’ And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.” The parallels between the story in Numbers 11 and the story here in Luke 9 are striking. The word “jealous” is especially interesting, I think. Moses spoke to Joshua saying, “Are you jealous for my sake?” In other words, are you worried about me? Are you concerned that power and authority are being decentralized away from me and given to others?  Moses was a humble man, unconcerned with power and prestige – he was happy that the Spirit of God was being distributed so freely. The Spirit rested on the seventy so that they might rule, and it fell on two others besides them, indicating that God was not limited to these men but would continue to supply his Spirit in the future for the good of his people.

To understand the importance of this event that is recorded for us in Luke 9:49-50, we only need to step back and look at where things go from here as it pertains to the furtherance of Christ’s kingdom. Think especially of the story that is told in Luke’s second volume, the Book of Acts. Yes, Christ would work powerfully through his Apostles to establish and grow his church (Judus would fall and be replaced). But he would also work through others’ besides these. He would work through some who certainly numbered amongst the 70 who are mentioned in Luke 10. And he would call Paul to serve as an Apostle to the Gentiles, even though Paul never walked with Jesus and the twelve. That Paul was an Apostles appointed by God would be proven by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 13). And we know from the Book of Acts that the Holy Spirit was poured out freely on many in the early church – even Gentiles. 

The point is this: if a factitious, party spirit, had taken root amongst the disciples of Jesus, within the twelve or the seventy, the church would not have survived. In other words, if the disciples of Jesus – the twelve or the seventy who walked most closely with him – had this attitude that only they could do kingdom work, and all others who did not walk with them were to be forbidden, then the growth of the church and the furtherance of the kingdom would have been greatly stifled. The Holy Spirit was about to be poured out liberally on all flesh. The Kingdom of Christ was about to spread like wildfire to the ends of the earth. The Apostles would play an important role – so too would the eyewitness of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection – but the church would be built up rapidly upon the foundation of these. Here John, and the rest of the Apostles, were warned against stifling the working of the Holy Spirit in the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I’m reminded of that passage in Philippians 1:15-18 where Paul says, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice ” (Philippians 1:15–18, ESV). What an interesting perspective Paul had! He wasn’t so concerned about the man who preached or the motive behind the preaching, but the message. If Christ was proclaimed truly, in that he rejoiced. 

I think that is the lesson taught by Jesus in Luke 9:49-50. There is no room for a party spirit in the Kingdom Of Christ. Brothers and sisters, we must beware of this ourselves. We love our confession because we believe it is true to the Scriptures. We love our tradition, again, because we believe it is true to the Scriptures. We cherish our association with other churches of like faith and practice – indeed, it is good and pleasant when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity and labor together for the furtherance of the kingdom. All of these things are good, and it is good and right for us to encourage others to believe as we believe, to do as we do, and to join with us. But as we do, we must guard against the party spirit and factiousness that is forbidden here in this text. Brothers and sisters, we ought to rejoice over the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, over the teaching of sound doctrine, and the planning of true churches, even if those churches are not a part of our particular tribe. 

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There Is No Room For Vengeance In The Kingdom Of Christ

The third and final lesson to be drawn from our text is that vengeance is forbidden in Christ’s kingdom. 

Look with me at verses 51-56. “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village” (Luke 9:51–56, ESV).

Notice a few things about this text. 

Firstly, this text marks a great transition in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus had spoken about his suffering before, but here we read, “the days drew near for him to be taken up…” This is a reference to Christ’s crucifixion, his resurrection, and his ascension to the Father’s right hand. And then we read, “he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” So, from this moment, Christ is heading towards Jerusalem to suffer and to enter into glory for the accomplishment of our redemption.

Secondly, as Jesus and his disciples began to journey toward Jeruslam they needed lodging. Messengers’ from Jesus’ band of disciples were sent ahead into a village of the Samaritans to try to find hospitality there, but they refused to receive him “because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans is well known. The Samaritans in this town would not show hospitality to Jesus and his disciples because they were heading towards Jerusalem, and they did not approve. Many reject Jesus because he does not fit with their desires and expectations. Woe to the one who rejects Jesus because he will not conform himself to them. Blessed is the one who receives Jesus humbly, and conforms their will and desires to his. 

Thirdly, notice the way that James and John respond to this great insult. They said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Now, there is a reason James and John suggested this. If you were to read 2 Kings 1, you would understand the reason. There we find a story about fire coming down from heaven at the request of Elijah the prophet to kill messengers of the king of Samaria who had rejected the God of Israel. Peter, James, and John had just witnessed Jesus glorified on the mountain with Moses and Elijah at his side. This was a village of the Samaritans.  And so James and John, being filled with anger at the insult shown to them and to the God of Israel, recalled this event. They knew that they were following one greater than Elijah, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Some ancient manuscripts include the words, “as also Elijah did.” 

“But [Jesus] turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” Jesus rebuked their vengeful spirit. It should be recognized that this situation was not the same as the one encountered by Elijah. This was a village filled with many innocent people – women and children – most of whom were ignorant of the plans and purposes of God in Christ Jesus. To destroy this village over an offense would not have been just. Also, Jesus rebuked them because a new age had come. Christ would soon inaugurate a New Covenant. And the Kingdom of God under this New Covenant would not advance in this way. Christ would lay down his life for his elect, and his disciples would be called to do the same – not to fight and to seek revenge on enemies. Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans, saying, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19–21, ESV). This was the way of Christ in his earthly ministry, and this is to be the way of the Christian in these last days.

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Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, we have attempted to get into the minds of the disciples of Jesus. It should be clear to all that at this moment in time, the disciples were filled with visions of glory, personal pride, and selfish ambition. They were beginning to do what men and women so often do in situations like these, and that is to form factions. And being driven by their passion for power and glory, they were willing to rain down furry on all who opposed them. These things had to be purged from these men if the Kingdom of Christ was to prosper under their lead. Christ’s kingdom is not of the world. It does not function like the kingdoms of this world function. In many respects, it is an upsidedown kingdom. It is those who are filled with humility, love, and a self-sacrificial spirit who are great. May the Lord bless us with these gifts, and may Christ our King receive all of the glory, honor, and praise.