Making Sense of Jesus — Requires Allies and Unity

This article is based on the Bible reading of Luke 9:49–56.

Introduction

Over the past several weeks, we have been asking an important question: What does it take to truly make sense of Jesus?

So far, we have discovered that it requires:

• Change
• A Covenant
• Christ’s Authority
• Being Last

This series is not just about gaining knowledge—it is about training.

• Teaching gives knowledge.
• Training prepares us for deployment.

Today, we explore what Jesus teaches about allies and unity—specifically, how we respond to others who are doing good in His name.

A Broader Kingdom Perspective

Jesus makes it clear: we are not the only ones going to heaven.

He trains His disciples to understand that:

• Others can do meaningful work for the Kingdom.
• God can use people outside of our immediate circle.
• The Kingdom is bigger than our group, our church, or our “tribe.”

This is not a call to watered-down faith. Jesus is not saying that everyone automatically enters the Kingdom of God. Rather, He is pointing to the reality of the universal Church—those who truly belong to Him.

Jesus even refers to “others” in John 10:16:

“I have other sheep that are not of this fold…”

This reminds us that His mission extends beyond what we can immediately see.

Understanding the Disciples’ Reaction

As we enter this passage, the disciples are confused—and honestly, we might have reacted the same way.

They see others doing similar work and feel concerned. That instinct is not entirely foreign to us. Even today, we often question those who are “not like us” but are doing similar things.

Yet, Jesus is not alarmed.

This raises two important questions:

• Who is Jesus willing to use?
• What does He expect from His followers?

Key Observations

1. The Disciples Think They Are Superior

It’s natural, but dangerous.

The disciples had just been taught about humility, yet they still wrestled with comparison and pride. Like us, they assumed they were somehow special.

Jesus had just used a child as an example of humility (Luke 9:48), yet they struggled to apply it.

We often want to:

• Stop others who lack our credentials
• Question those outside our circle
• Protect what we think belongs to us

But Jesus responds in a surprising way.

2. Jesus Supports the Involvement of Others

Jesus tells them plainly: “Do not stop them.”

This challenges our tendency toward exclusivity.

We naturally categorize people:

• Political affiliations
• Denominations
• Social classes
• Backgrounds

Yet even within diversity, we often find shared faith and purpose.

A helpful parallel appears in Numbers 11, when Eldad and Medad prophesy. Joshua wants to stop them, but Moses responds:

“Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets…”

God’s work is not limited to one group.

3. Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem

This marks a turning point.

Jesus becomes intensely focused on His mission—the cross.

The final months of His earthly ministry are approaching:

• His death
• His resurrection
• His ascension

Through these events, hope and eternal life are made available.

Even rejection—like that from the Samaritans—does not distract Him from His purpose.

A recent commentary shed light on this that pointed out That Jesus, facing toward Jerusalem, meant something to the Samaritans. They did not worship in Jerusalem. They worshiped at Mount Garizim. Clearly, a separation from the Jewish center of worship.

4. Jesus Sends His Disciples Ahead

Being a follower of Jesus means being sent.

The disciples are deployed with:

• A mission
• Limited resources
• Complete dependence on God

Rejection becomes part of the journey.

The Samaritans reject Jesus, which is especially significant given the deep tension between Jews and Samaritans. This sparks a strong reaction from the disciples.

They even suggest calling down fire from heaven—just as Elijah did (2 Kings 1:10–12. Referencing Eldad and Medad.)

Moses spoke correction to Joshua saying, “Joshua, are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all of God’s people would prophecy in the Holy Spirit would be on them.”

But Jesus is about to redefine their understanding.

Recently, I’ve been reading a book, “Gentlemen of the Gridiron“ it is written by Birgit Siyan Myaard. It’s that time with the author recently and gained greater understanding of the purple surfer book on the history of football leading back to the late 1800s. One of the quotes that I left from the boat is by William Make Peace Thackaray which reads:

Who misses or who gains the prize. Go, lose, or conquer as you can; but if you fail, or if you rise, pray God, a gentleman.

5. Jesus Rebukes Their Attitude

Jesus corrects them.

Why?

Because their response reflects the wrong spirit.

They wanted judgment.

Jesus calls for mercy.

This challenges us deeply:

• It is easy to hate.
• It is easy to justify retaliation.
• It is easy to divide.

But Jesus teaches:

Love your enemies.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Hatred, even in the heart, carries serious weight. Jesus elevates the standard beyond outward actions to inward attitudes.

6. Jesus Saves

Here is the good news: Jesus is in the saving business.

Even when rejected:

• He continues to the next village
• He continues His mission
• He continues offering grace

Luke 10 will further show that when rejected, the disciples are to:

• Bless, not curse
• Shake the dust off their feet
• Move forward

The backstory of Chuck Norris is a wonderful example grace. He recently died and left a legacy of faith in Christ. His conversion and life changing testimony impacted millions. His connection to MovieGuide is part of this story. I love the memes that are popping up on social media. This one told the best summary of a life well-lived.

We are living in a time of grace and mercy.

But Scripture reminds us:

Now is the appointed time of salvation.

God is not building a kingdom of stone—but a kingdom of grace, hope, and redemption.

What This Passage Teaches Us

• Christ comes as Savior
• Jesus sees through pride
• Jesus supports others in His work
• Jesus is focused on the cross
• Jesus sends us out
• Jesus corrects our attitudes
• Jesus saves

Closing

This past week, many celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. I asked Chat GPT to create a meme of my wife and I to post a phrase:

“I Believe in LUCK.”

But from a biblical perspective, LUCK means:

Living Under Christ’s Kindness

St. Patrick himself is often credited with transforming Ireland through faith in Christ. Once a slave, he returned as a missionary and helped shape a nation.

In the same way, Jesus continues to change the world—through His sacrifice, His grace, and His people.

And that includes allies we may not expect.

Final Thought

If we are going to truly make sense of Jesus, we must learn this:

The Kingdom of God is bigger than us—and that is a very good thing.