The Call to Believe and Follow Jesus

In chapter 9 of Luke, Peter confesses that Jesus is not merely one more in a row of prophets — Elijah, John the Baptist, or some other prophet. Peter says, you are “the Christ of God.” What’s interesting is that after Peter gets the person of Jesus correct (his identity), he immediately gets a revelation of his work (sacrificial death). At this point Jesus says, “Follow me.” In chapters 1 to 8, Luke is answering the question, “Who is Jesus?” Chapters 9 through 19 answer the question, “If he is the Christ of God (the Messiah), what does it mean to follow him?" The word follow is a key word for the next nine chapters, and this chapter lays out the basics and pitfalls of it. In this section we get to observe the disciples struggle with pride, tribalism and sectarianism, vengeance and racism, and the subtle dangers of comfort and security.Jesus continues to press upon their heart what he already told them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).