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Christ Followers
Put Christ First
Luke 9 and 14


Luke 9:57-58 (Monday)
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (NIV)
1) Would this man have indeed followed Jesus? I have to confess, sometimes I question my own loyalty in this regard. How far am I willing to follow Christ? All of us need to pause and consider the cost in following Christ ( ._ Let’s look at some of the places and into some of the situations God the Father lead His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and ask ourselves if we are truly “willing” to follow Jesus, “whenever he goes.” Remember, Jesus:
a) left the very portal of heaven, humbled himself by “putting on” earthly flesh (Ephesians 4:8-10; John 1:14 and Philippians 2:6-8.) You’re going to understand what this means in a more powerful way later on in this lesson!
b)
2) I have been reading Kay Arthur’s book, “Our Covenant God,” and I have to tell you it is one of the most sobering books I’ve ever encountered. I wanted so much to put the book down (really, to throw it as far away from me as possible) because what following Christ truly requires from us is everything! Kay calls following Christ our own personal “walk into death.” Now, we all “know” that we are to die to ourselves and live for Christ (Romans 6:3.) But, believe me, along the way, we have all somehow watered down all that that statement truly entails! Kay connects this “walk into death” to the real meaning behind “covenant” in a way that just brings you to your knees. Dear ones, if you have never studied the Old Testament (really, covenant) you are missing the richness of what it truly means to walk in holy blood covenant with your God!
a) Covenant is as old as mankind. It is important for us to understand that covenant originated with God Himself (Genesis 3, particularly verse 21. Note: This is probably where man the true worth of one’s life blood. After all, for the first time ever, death—through the shedding of innocent blood—became necessary as a garment or covering for sin (Hebrews 9:22!) From this point forward, the shedding of blood became an extremely important part of both worship and sacrifice to the Lord God (Genesis 4:1-7.) Take time to read Genesis 6, especially verse 18—the very first mention of covenant; Genesis 9; Genesis 15; Genesis 17) While it is true that not all covenants were “cut” in blood, know that the “blood” covenant was the most solemn and binding of all covenants! “Blood” covenant was not to be entered into lightly because breaking such a covenant required the life blood of the offending partner. Now, man did not necessarily take another’s life—although, in some cultures this was highly likely—but, quite often God was called upon as Witness between the covenanting parties (Genesis 31:42-54) as an assurance that the covenant was upheld. In other words, if covenant was broken, God would “see” and judge the offending party accordingly! During Biblical times, those that entered into a “blood” covenant either “cut” animals in pieces, with each partner “passing” between the flesh, sprinkled themselves with the blood (Exodus 24:1-8) or “cut” themselves and the parties mingled their blood together. Why blood—because life is in the blood (Deuteronomy 12:23!) Now, in passing through the pieces, or being sprinkled or cutting ones self and/or by the mingling of blood, the parties, by oath, actually became as one--each equally responsible for to uphold their part in the covenant agreement. Actually, the covenant even went further, because as one, the parties became closer than even blood brothers. The friends and family of one, became the friends and family of the other and more, the enemies of one became the enemies of the other. Each party swore to defend and protect the interest of the other—important point to remember! We see this spiritual mystery more fully explained in the marriage covenant. The two become one flesh. (This is ideally a blood covenant—since both parties are meant to be virginal, thus the shedding of blood.) And, of course, we see it in the church being “one” with Christ Jesus (a covenant “cut” in the shedding of Christ’s own blood on the cross!) Oh, don’t mess the richness of covenant!
b) That brings us to the Old Covenant (the Law (Ten Commandments)—Exodus 20:1-17) that God “cut” with the Israelites upon bringing them out of Egypt (Exodus 24:1-8.) This too, was a blood covenant. However, this covenant was conditionally based upon the obedience of the Israelites (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 11:26-32 and Joshua 1:13-18!) It came with blessing if the Israelites obeyed and cursing if they disobeyed! Under this covenant, the shedding of innocent blood was a repetitive part of the Israelites daily lives. The tabernacle and later the temple was the place to offer up blood sacrifice as atonement for sin and even as part of praise and worship. The high priest was the only one who could enter into the very presence of God (called the Holy of Holies) and that, only once a year. He offered blood sacrifice for the sins of Israel and for himself. Blood was also necessary for cleansing and washing the utensils used in sacrifice and the altars, etc. etc.
c) Now, what does that have to do with us today? Well, let’s go back and read Genesis 15, especially verses12-21. Who were the covenanting parties? Who initiated the covenant? Who walked through the pieces? What role did Abram play?
d) This is an everlasting covenant with Abram (Abraham)—“cut” solely by God (Hebrews 6:9-20!) It is important to note that this covenant was implemented 430 years prior to the giving of the Law, or Old Covenant, to the Israelites! Its foundation was and still is solidly built on God’s faithfulness and unconditional promises! It was brought about as the result of Abram’s unwavering faith in his God (Romans 4:13-16!) This was the covenant was to Abram and his heirs, but Israelites would not! Enter the Law, or the Old Covenant!
e) Throughout scripture, God promised His children the coming of a new and better covenant, not written on tablets of stone, but rather, a covenant written on their hearts ( Isaiah 61:1-9!
e) We see a beautiful example of this “grace” covenant with the anointed, but not yet established king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-23) David, and the friend who unconditionally loved him, Jonathan. Now, Jonathan was the son of the present king Saul, whom David was sure to eventually replace when God removed Saul from his throne and kingdom because of his sin (1 Samuel 12:13-25 and 1 Samuel 13:1-4.) Let’s take a look into this love covenant by reading 1 Samuel 17:12-58; 18:1-4), because this is the type, or picture of the covenant we have entered into with our Lord, Jesus Christ!
i) What type of agreement did they enter into?
ii) Who initiated the covenant?
iii) Who “loved” first?
iv) In the beginning of this relationship, was there anything that indicated that young David loved at all?
v) What did Jonathan have to offer as son of the king?
vi) What did David have to offer or bring into this covenant?
vii) What is the significance of Jonathan exchanging garments with David?
viii) Go back and carefully re-read verse 1. What took place spiritually between these two men?
f) So, what happened to the Law, or the Old Covenant (Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:21-24; Romans 7:4, 6; Romans 10:4 and Hebrews 7:18-28?)
g) Of what value was the Law (Romans 3:20; Romans 5:20-21; Romans 7:7?)
h) What purpose does the Old Covenant Law have today (1 Timothy 1:8-11?)
i) What do the following scriptures tell us is the basis of our New Covenant with God (Matthew 22:34-40; John 13:34-35; John 15:12, 17; Romans 8:1-16; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13?)
i) Where does this God kind of love come from (Galatians 5:16-25?)
iii) Clothe yourselves with Christ (Romans 13:14!)
j) Beloved, through our faith in Jesus Christ, we have become heirs to the all the rich promises of God (Galatians 3:11-28!) We are the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:29!) So, what part do we have in being in covenant with God?
k) Jesus introduced the New Covenant during the last Passover supper he spent with His disciples (1 Corinthians 11:23b-32 we should carefully examine ourselves, and not take the bread and wine unworthily, less judgment come upon us.)