Luke 9  To be a disciple of Jesus while He walked this earth was challenging and exhilarating .  The disciples were sent out to preach and heal and cast out demons and that was amazing.  But the next thing that happened was daunting... Jesus asked them to feed 5000 people! " You give them something to eat!"  He commands.  "We have no more than 5 loaves and two fish..."  was their reply.

They had come from doing impossible things.. miraculous works of healing and deliverance.  But, food?  For 5000 men plus their families?  Impossible!  Or so they thought.  Jesus pushes their faith a bit farther..  They have the crowd sit down in smaller groups.  Then, Jesus blesses the loaves and fish,  "and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude." 
Everyone is fed and 12 baskets full of leftovers are picked up!
From challenging to exhilarating  in 60 minutes!

Jesus tells His disciples that the life of being His disciple requires a daily sacrifice of one's self, a willingness to lose your life for Him, a focus on spiritual gains instead of worldly profits.  He will come in "His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" one day.  He does not want to be ashamed of His own disciples when He returns.

V28-36  Peter, James, and John are taken up on a mountain with Jesus to pray.  "and while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah."  What would you do if you were able to witness this?   Well, apparently Peter, James, and John... fell asleep!  They were overwhelmed!  Yet, they did wake up and see this amazing glimpse into the "kingdom of God".  They saw and they heard... for out of the cloud "a voice came... saying 'This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him." 

Listen.  This is the emphasis that we keep coming back to over and over again... We need to deliberately pay attention to the Word.  To the Living Word,  Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the written Word.

As Jesus and the 3 descend from the mountain, they meet a great multitude of people.  There is a man whose son is demon possessed and the 9 disciples have been unable to help him.  Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the boy.  The problem of unbelief has raised up a "perverse generation".  A turned around, corrupt, distorted culture.. filled with misunderstanding.   The disciples still had much to learn.  They were in need of more faith.

This is the challenge for all of us, isn't it?  To think according to the Word and not according to the culture.  To believe and not turn away from Jesus and His Truth.  For "all things are possible to him who believes." ( Mark 9:23).  Like the boy's father, we need to cry out to Jesus, " I do believe; help my unbelief".  

Father in heaven,  You are God and there is no other.  You have given to us Your Spirit to challenge us, lead us, teach us, and grow our faith.  Yet, we are constantly challenged by our culture and our own unbelief. . Forgive us!  Help us, Mighty God, to hear and believe.. to trust You and obey Your Word.  We long to see Your glory when Christ returns.. but we pray that He will not be ashamed of us for our lack of faith.  Fill us once again, Lord Jesus, with Your Spirit. Amen.