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But, all marveling over all that he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “You must place into your ears these words because the Son of Man is about to be given over into the hands of men.” But they did not know this message, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this message. (Luke’s AD 60 research report re Jesus: Chapter 9: 43 -50) |
“All marveling over all that he {Jesus] was doing…” In particular, Jesus has just succeeded where all others had failed. A father had brought his only son to Jesus – a son who was broken, constantly convulsing, and repeatedly suicidal. The son, typical of humanity, was restored to his father.
But what about “these words” which the “disciples” of Jesus “must place into their ears”? Also, what is “this message” which “they did not know” and which “was concealed from them”?
Luke recorded “these words” – see Info BG. They were two connected incidents. In the first, the real, transcendent, glorious nature of Jesus was revealed upon a mountain. His “exodus” was the focus there. And “a voice came to be … stating, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Hear him!”” In the second, that father of an only son full of “convulsion” and intent on “smashing himself” saw that son totally “cured” by Jesus.
“These words.” The glorious Jesus. His “exodus.” Him being “my Son, my chosen one.” And a self-destructive son restored to a loving father.
“You must place into your ears these words because the Son of Man is about to be given over into the hands of men.” The “exodus” of this “Son of Man” – this transcendent glorious one – will take place when he will be “given over into the hands of men.” Is this how messed-up sons may be restored to the father? Must the transcendent, glorious one go under?
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But a reasoning came into them: - the thought of which among them is greater.
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“The Son of Man” must go under. The disciples are keen to be greater.
But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their heart, taking hold of an infant, stood him near to himself and said to them, “Whoever may receive this infant in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me out, because the smaller one belonging among you all – this same one is great.”
Are you “greater” than me? Is not this “thought” actually driving our world crazy? Such thoughts seem to drive world leaders. Do they drive sibling rivalry? And drive sporting activities? And even drive murders? By contrast, children in the AD 29 Roman Empire had nil greatness value. By contrast also, Jesus wanted to “receive” the valueless and wanted his followers to “receive” the valueless “in my name.” That’s what his “exodus” was for.
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But John, responding, said, “Master, we saw a certain one removing mini-gods in your name, and we were hindering him, in that he is not following with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him, because the one who is not against you is above you.”
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This was really counter-cultural. John was instructed to regard those human beings not “against” him as being “above” him. Nevertheless, it fitted well into Jesus’ whole being. He planned his own “exodus” – “to be given over into the hands of men.” He planned that – and would endure that only because he regarded messed-up human beings as “above” him – as “greater” than himself.
So much so that his wonderful sacrifice would turn the world upside down. The Son of God, the Son of the Most High, would submit totally to hostile human beings. In that way he would be able to forgive them for anything they did to him, including being able to forgive his own murderers.
And then, when any sought and obtained that forgiveness, they would be changed from their convulsive, self-destructive selves and restored to fellowship with his father above – and their creator-father above.
No wonder he said, on that auspicious day, “You must place into your ears these words because the Son of Man is about to be given over into the hands of men.”
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