“But First …”

The Mission of the Twelve

Luke chapter 9, verses 1 to 6: "Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money - not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there.

Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." So they departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere."

In Luke chapter 9, verses 10 to 13a, 15 to 17 we read: "On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. Then, taking them along, he slipped quietly into a city called Bethsaida.

[Note: Bethsaida is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee]. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be cured.

The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to lodge and get provisions, for we are here in a deserted place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." [The Feeding of the 5000.]

Then Peter's Declaration about Jesus

In Luke chapter 9, verse 18 to 20: "Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' They answered, 'John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.' Then he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered, 'The Messiah of God.'"

Then Jesus Foretells About His Death and Resurrection

Luke chapter 9, verse 22: saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Jesus Then Challenged Those Who Would Follow Him

Luke chapter 9, verses 23 to 24: reads "Then he said to them all, 'If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it."'

Then Transfiguration of Jesus

Luke chapter 9, verses 28 to 30: "Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him."

Jesus Again Foretells About His Death

Luke chapter 9, verses 43 to 44: "While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 'Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands."'

[Note: According to the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 8, verses 27-30, Jesus left Bethsaida and traveled north with his disciples to Caesarea Philipi - about 24 miles north, a days journey

We can only speculate why Jesus traveled to Caesarea Philippi when he spent most of his time preaching to large crowds in bigger cities. It was a beautiful location, a Gentile area, perfect for a getaway from the Jewish people, it may have been that Jesus wanted to spend some time with His disciples in relative peace.