After the glory of the mountaintop experience, Jesus and His disciples descend into the valley, where they are immediately confronted with the brokenness and spiritual battles of daily life. The disciples, who had previously experienced God’s power, now find themselves powerless in the face of a desperate father’s plea for his son’s deliverance. This moment reveals that true discipleship is not about basking in moments of spiritual exaltation, but about faithfully engaging in the mission of God amid chaos, pain, and spiritual warfare. The power belongs to Christ alone, and our dependence on Him is essential as we serve in the valleys of life. [41:55]
Luke 9:37-43a (ESV)
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel powerless or overwhelmed right now, and how can you intentionally bring that situation to Jesus in prayer, trusting in His power rather than your own?
It is easy to fall into the trap of presumption, believing that past spiritual victories or positions of influence guarantee present power or success. The disciples’ inability to cast out the demon was not due to a lack of authority given by Jesus, but because they had shifted from dependence on Christ to self-reliance. Presumption is subtle; it masquerades as confidence but is rooted in pride and leads us away from prayer and humble dependence on God. True faith keeps the heart humble, always recognizing that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. [01:06:08]
John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Reflection: In what area of your life have you started to rely on your own strength or experience instead of seeking God’s guidance and help, and how can you return to a posture of humble dependence today?
Distraction is one of the enemy’s most effective weapons against the disciple of Jesus. Even in moments of spiritual awe and blessing, it is possible to lose sight of the true mission—following Jesus to the cross, embracing sacrifice, and serving others. The disciples were caught up in amazement at God’s power, but Jesus redirected their attention to His coming suffering and the purpose of His mission. When we take our eyes off Jesus and His calling, even good things can become obstacles that steal our focus and effectiveness in God’s kingdom. [01:12:29]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection: What is one “good” thing in your life that may be distracting you from God’s mission, and how can you intentionally refocus your attention on Jesus and His calling today?
In the midst of confusion and competition among the disciples, Jesus redefines greatness by pointing to the humility and simplicity of a child. Ambition and the desire for recognition can easily creep into our hearts, especially when we lose sight of the mission. Jesus teaches that the greatest in God’s kingdom are those who serve with humility, not those who seek to be first. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to be small in the world’s eyes, to serve others, and to put the needs of others before our own. [51:01]
Luke 9:46-48 (ESV)
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.”
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can serve in a humble, unnoticed way this week, and how can you make a practical plan to do so?
The disciples struggled with an exclusivist mindset, believing that only those who were part of their group could truly serve God. Jesus rebuked this attitude, teaching that the kingdom of God is far greater than any one ministry, denomination, or local church. God is at work through many people and in many places, and we are called to celebrate and cooperate with all who are truly serving in Jesus’ name. The true disciple rejoices when the gospel is preached and lives are transformed, regardless of who God uses to accomplish His purposes. [52:44]
Philippians 1:15-18 (ESV)
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. Yes, and I will rejoice.
Reflection: How can you intentionally encourage or pray for another church, ministry, or believer outside your usual circle this week, celebrating what God is doing through them?
Ao descermos do monte da transfiguração com Jesus, somos imediatamente confrontados com a dura realidade da missão: o caos, a incredulidade, a dor e a limitação humana. O contraste entre a glória do monte e a batalha no vale revela que a verdadeira vida cristã não se sustenta apenas em experiências extraordinárias, mas se prova no cotidiano, no serviço humilde e na dependência constante de Cristo. Os discípulos, que haviam recebido poder e autoridade, agora se veem impotentes diante de um desafio espiritual, e Jesus os confronta sobre a incredulidade e a presunção que se instalaram em seus corações.
A narrativa de Lucas nos mostra que, muitas vezes, nos distraímos com o poder, com a admiração das multidões, ou com a busca por grandeza pessoal, esquecendo o verdadeiro propósito: a cruz, o sacrifício, a missão de servir. Jesus, ao corrigir a ambição dos discípulos, ensina que a grandeza no Reino de Deus está na humildade, na simplicidade e na disposição de receber e servir os pequenos. Ele também repreende o espírito de exclusividade, mostrando que o Reino é maior do que nossos limites denominacionais ou pessoais; Deus age além das nossas fronteiras, e devemos nos alegrar com toda obra genuína feita em nome de Jesus.
A história do pai aflito e do filho possesso nos lembra que a dependência de Cristo é essencial. Não é o nosso poder, mas a presença e autoridade de Jesus que trazem libertação e cura. A presunção, o orgulho e a distração nos afastam da missão e nos tornam estéreis espiritualmente. O chamado é para uma fé humilde, que reconhece a própria limitação e se lança na dependência do Senhor, celebrando não apenas os milagres, mas, sobretudo, o sacrifício da cruz, que é o maior de todos os milagres.
No final, a caminhada com Jesus é marcada por altos e baixos, montes e vales, mas é no vale da fé, da humildade e do serviço que o verdadeiro discípulo é forjado. Somos chamados a manter o foco na missão, a celebrar o que Deus faz através de outros, e a rejeitar toda forma de competição, vaidade e exclusivismo. Que possamos aprender a caminhar com Jesus em todos os cenários da vida, atentos à Sua voz, dependentes de Sua graça e comprometidos com o propósito do Reino.
Because maybe they thought they were super powerful, I don't know. We have this difficulty, my brothers, and Jesus needs to put brakes on us. Because otherwise we will think that we are the ones who do the work, that the church is powerful, that the pastor is powerful, that the leader is powerful. No, no, no, the powerful is Christ. [00:47:54] (23 seconds) #ChristIsThePower
Jesus is correcting ambition in their hearts. Teaching that the greatness in the kingdom of God is in humility and simplicity. In the midst of all this confusion, Jesus is teaching. In the midst of the confusion of our lives, Jesus is always teaching. Whether we learn or not. [00:51:16] (21 seconds) #HumilityInGreatness
Because we forget, my brother, that there is no Christianity without a cross, without a valley, without adversity, and without this need for us to show Jesus in the midst of all these problems. [00:57:33] (17 seconds) #CrossAndChristianity
Because to admire power without understanding the sacrifice is to stop fulfilling the purpose. There are people who are admired by the church, but they don't fulfill the purpose. There are people who admire themselves with the things of God, with the music, with the ascent of the temple. They are admired, as everything is very glorious, but my brother, it is in the day by day of faith, taking your cross day by day and following, that you will learn with Jesus. [00:57:57] (31 seconds) #PurposeInSacrifice
Presumption is exaggerated self-confidence ignores the will and help of God. And it's the opposite of what we have and know as spiritual humility. While faith trusts in God, presumption trusts in itself. We depend on the Lord, brothers. We depend on Jesus. Presumption takes us away from prayer. Why? Because we think we already know enough. But Luke is showing that true faith keeps the heart dependent, keeps the heart humble, recognizing that without Christ, we can do nothing. [01:06:02] (42 seconds) #FaithNotPresumption
Distraction is one of the most subtle weapons against the disciple, against the disciple. Jesus, the devil wants to distract you, my brother, all the time. He wants to steal your look, he wants you to forget about the mission. The devil, my brother, does not need to destroy whoever he can distract. Does not need to. [01:12:53] (27 seconds) #StayFocusedOnMission
The danger is not only in losing yourself in sin, but also in losing ourselves in the excess of good things that take the focus from God. There are people who are believers, who are not in sin, but they are lost, because they are lost in the excess of good things, they are distracted by the devil. They left the congregation, they do not have time for God, they do not have time for prayer, for communion, for intercession, because they may be saying, God is blessing me, when in fact it may be the devil distracting you. [01:13:58] (48 seconds) #BewareGoodDistractions
``God does not use those who wish to be great. He uses those who wish to be faithful. He uses the faithful. That's why the kingdom advances in the name of Jesus, my brothers. They should learn this, that the true disciple does not fight for exclusivity, but the true disciple celebrates when the gospel is preached. Celebrates when someone is free. [01:17:25] (26 seconds) #FaithfulNotGreat
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