#1439 Luke 22 Part 5 Bag Lunch

 

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” Luke 22: 35-38 ESV

Luke 22: 35-38 Knapsack

We just left off with the humbling conversation between Peter and Jesus, where Jesus tells him that he will deny the Lord Jesus, despite what he thinks. He also gives him warning so he knows that he can come back, that it is not over, and he will need to lead the others back as well. The best leaders are those that have been tried, that have been beaten down, found themselves insufficient in themselves, turned to Christ and then warned others of the pitfalls along the way. You can't lead well if you haven't followed, and more than most aren't worth following, they don't count because they are going in the wrong direction. 

1You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 2Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you. 3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.… 1 Corinthians 11: 1-3

…7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!… Galatians 1: 7-9

When I sent you out with no money bag - As part of their training they were sent out with next to nothing so that they could see that God would provide.

…9Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts. 10Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.… Matthew 10: 9-11

Lenski - They learned the great lesson of absolute trust in their Sender. He did provide for them through the name and the fame with which he had filled all Galilee. Never once had he failed them. (Lenski New Testament Commentary – The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel) - Precept Austin

Nothing - They went out with nothing but lacked nothing. 

V.36 But now let the one who has a money bag take it - This is a complete turn around from their previous outings. Jesus, the One Whom they follow, is going to die, and in most cultures that does not make you appear to be the victor. His fame is going to subside, and His disciples will become the objects of open persecution. All of them will be martyred except one, John, and so they will move from a time of peace to a time of war. The Great commission of "go ye into all the world and preach", will be helped along by them getting kicked out of every place they settle down in. They are still set upon the immediacy of the kingdom, even at His resurrection, instead will come wars, rumors of wars, famine and persecution. It's not going to be a hero's welcome. 

…19If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. 21But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.… John 15: 19-21

For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me - It is imperative that this happens, inevitable, unavoidable. It is part of Holy Writ, God breathed, so it must happen just like this, as Isaiah said in chapter 53. "But', you say, 'that was 700 years ago, what does that have to do with now, haven't things changed? Do we really need someone to die for our sins, are we really that bad off?" More than you will ever understand in this life. I have been a Christian for some 20 years now and I only become more offended by myself. I have laid some things aside, but I realize that is Christ living in me, because of myself there was no good thing. I followed rules at times, tried to vote on the right side of issues, but would then find myself plagued by all these grievous characters, wicked thoughts, that were all just me, prideful, arrogant, me. I only come to see the desperation more, the hopelessness of mankind, the blindness of thinking they will develop a formula, create a world system that works this time. For now, men seem content to just take what God has deemed sin, damnable, and say it is not. Yet, here we are, in the book of Luke, some 700 years after one of God's prophets said something, over 4000 years after God promised the Seed of the woman in the garden, and here is Jesus, just like Moses said in Deuteronomy, that cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree. 

…11After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53: 11-12

…12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.… Galatians 3: 12-14

…18Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. 19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? 20I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.… Numbers 23: 18-20

And He was numbered with the transgressors - He is innocent and so the statement bears great meaning, the innocent for the guilty. God does not change his stance towards sin, even in His mercy towards us, payment was exacted. 

…7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!… Romans 5: 7-9