Jesus is Delivered into the Hands of Men

(Luke 9:43-45)

Jesus had just cleansed a boy of a demon that the disciples could not remove. The people around were marvelling at the majesty of God and all the mighty works Jesus did. Yet at the height of their adulation and wonder at Jesus he said to his disciples privately that he was to be delivered into the hands of men.

Lack of Understanding

The disciples did not understand what he meant for it had been hidden from them. Although Jesus said, “Let these words sink into your ears,” (Verse 44) they still did not get the point of what he was saying until much later.

We too today can suffer a lack of understanding also when we don’t let the words of God “sink into our ears.” Sometimes we don’t hear because we are not listening. Sometimes there is too much other “noise” going on in our lives and we cannot hear. Sometimes we even choose not to hear because we don’t like the answer the Lord gives us.

But if we take the time to let his words “sink into our ears,” then we gain understanding and insight.

Being Afraid to Ask

We see that the disciples also did not understand the saying of the Lord because they did not ask him what it meant. For some reason they were too afraid to ask the Lord about this matter and so they did not get the insight they could have otherwise had.

We too can fall into this trap. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. If you want something from the Lord, or anyone else for that matter, you first need to ask for what you want. What is the worst that can happen? They could say no. But if you don’t ask then you won’t even get that far and have a resolution to your issue. You will remain in uncertainty. At least when the answer is “no,” whether from the Lord or others, all uncertainty is set aside and you know where you stand.

The Scriptural Position

What does the Bible say on these things? Quite a bit actually! These are just a couple of examples of where the Lord tells us quite plainly that if we ask him for anything, he will provide it.

“Ask, and it will be given you” (Matthew 7:7)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

“Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

What a fantastic promise the Lord has given us in these statements. We can go to him with anything no matter how large or small and ask him and know that we will receive an answer.

So don’t fall into the trap that the apostles and disciples fell into. Don’t allow a lack of understanding or insight in any matter to keep you baffled. Ask the Lord in faith and know that he will provide the answer and you will never go wrong.

(Picture sourced from stock.xchng https://www.sxc.hu/ taken by Kevin Cloutier)

You might also like:

Ask and it Will Be Given
Jesus Healing the Blind