< Luke 9 >

Jesus spent three and a half years preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and the apostles were with him all the time and heard his teaching. They were sent out to preach the same kingdom of God and went through the towns preaching it.v.6Waiting for response for Luke 9:6 At that time they knew nothing of Jesus’ approaching death and resurrection, although he did tell them in advance of his suffering at the hands of wicked men, but they did not understand and were afraid to ask. Clearly, therefore, they preached the gospel in ignorance of his crucifixion, showing that the gospel they preached did not concern the crucifixion of Christ - the true gospel preached by Jesus and his apostles is “the gospel of the kingdom of God” - good news of the glorious time to come when Jesus reigns in Jerusalem on the throne of the LORD over the restored kingdom of Israel.

The future glory God offers is marvellous, and to receive it we must follow Jesus wholeheartedly. The word here translated “life” is the same Greek word often translated “soul”, and means “self” - we are required to sacrifice ourselves in Jesus’ service.

Jesus gave his apostles power to heal the people as evidence their message was from God. He also permitted three of them to see a vision of the future when he comes in glory to establish the kingdom of God. He took Peter, James and John up a mountain where he was transfigured before them and they saw him as he does now and as he will look in the future, glowing in bright glory. He will then be with the immortal saints raised from the dead, including Moses and Elijah whom the apostles saw with him in glory. This vision was later cited by Peter as evidence that they had “not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty”.2 Peter 1:16Waiting for response for 2 Peter 1:16