Luke Series Chapter 9 (EP 157)

Summary

The Bryce Crawford Podcast

Episode: Luke Series Chapter 9 (EP 157)
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Bryce Crawford

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bryce Crawford continues his journey through the Book of Luke, focusing on Chapter 9. He unpacks the text verse by verse, exploring themes of spiritual authority, humility, the cost of true discipleship, and the uniqueness of Jesus as the Messiah. The episode also emphasizes practical application for Christians today, balancing humor, candid commentary, and deep scriptural insights.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening & Transition to Scripture Study

• After a lighthearted holiday gift exchange and brief banter, Bryce draws the audience into the study of Luke 9.
• Tone: Warm, direct, slightly playful.

2. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (03:17–04:39)

• Bryce reads how Jesus calls the twelve disciples, gives them authority over demons and disease, and sends them out with no provisions.
  • Quote [04:02]: “God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God chooses the most unqualified people, oftentimes to do a miraculous work. And I think it's beautiful.”
• Emphasis: Trust in God over material resources, and the need to read scripture in full context rather than isolation.
• He references meeting someone inspired by Jesus’ instructions, but encourages wisdom: Jesus later permits his disciples to carry supplies, highlighting the importance of context in biblical interpretation.

3. Herod’s Perplexion and John the Baptist (04:39–07:51)

• Bryce unpacks King Herod’s confusion regarding Jesus's identity—some thought Jesus was John the Baptist or Elijah resurrected.
• He offers a candid, detailed retelling of John the Baptist’s confrontation with Herod about his immoral relationship and Herod’s eventual execution of John at the request of Herodias’s daughter.
  • Quote [06:11]: “Sometimes we need a friend like John the Baptist, you know, that walks up in there, say, hey, stop doing that. Stop. Quit it. Stop sleeping with your bro's wife.”
  • Quote [06:50]: “Is that not the most disgusting thing you’ve ever heard? King Herod’s brother’s wife’s daughter does a striptease on King Herod. That’s disgusting. It's disgusting.”
• Insight: Sexual sin often targets forerunners and those striving to pursue God.
  • Quote [07:39]: “Sexual sin is going to headhunt Christians. Be alert, be watchful.”

4. Feeding the Five Thousand (08:06–09:14)

• The segment covers disciples’ doubts and Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed thousands.
  • Quote [08:35]: “God can do extraordinary things with the wrong ingredients. God can do magnificent, beautiful things with an honest heart, even if it’s broken.”
• Message: Jesus uses what we have, no matter how insufficient it seems, to work miracles.

5. Peter's Confession and Divine Revelation (09:14–10:06)

• Jesus asks his disciples who people think he is; Peter confesses, “You are the Christ of God.”
  • Quote [09:34]: “We have to ask ourselves this question every day: Who do we say Jesus is?”
• Highlight: The understanding of Jesus as Messiah is a revelation from God, not simply tradition or hearsay.
  • Quote [09:56]: “God’s the one that softens the heart. God’s the one that brings the increase.”

6. Jesus Predicts His Death and the Call to Discipleship (10:06–11:51)

• Jesus foretells his suffering and resurrection, immediately telling followers to deny themselves and take up their cross.
  • Quote [10:49]: “Have the same intention with your life that I’m having with mine. The same way I’m loving you unto death, you must love me unto death.”
• Bryce emphasizes the cost of discipleship, referencing the well-known, “What does it profit a man to gain the world but forfeit his soul?”
  • Quote [11:31]: “True life with Jesus starts the moment you put faith in him.”

7. The Transfiguration (11:51–13:39)

• Jesus’ glorification on the mountaintop in front of Peter, James, and John; joined by Moses and Elijah.
• Bryce draws a parallel between Jesus and Moses:
  • Quote [13:39]: “Jesus Christ is the new Moses who came to set the captives free … You and I have been grafted into the family tree of God … so that you and I are now Israel.”
• Significance: Through faith in Christ, all people can become part of the spiritual lineage of Israel.

8. Power Over Demons and Call for Faith (14:33–15:25)

• Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after the disciples fail, highlighting the destructive reality of evil and the necessity of faith.
  • Quote [15:25]: “Demons have to obey to Jesus.”

9. Humility and True Greatness (15:25–16:41)

• The disciples argue about who is the greatest; Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from humility and receiving others.
  • Quote [16:00]: “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great. He’s encouraging a humble, gentle spirit.”

10. Unity in Ministry (16:00–17:03)

• Disciples try to stop others from casting out demons in Jesus’s name. Jesus welcomes all who are for him, not against him.
  • Quote [16:41]: “There’s no competition in the kingdom of God. We’re all on the same team. Why are we jealous of other people doing work for God, big or small?”
• Reflection: In ministry, avoid jealousy and competition; celebrate the spread of the Gospel.

11. Rejection in Samaria and Rebuke of Retributive Zeal (17:03–18:00)

• Samaritans refuse Jesus; James and John want to call down fire in retaliation, but Jesus rebukes them.
  • Quote [17:46]: “You imagine, just imagine Jesus, my grace is sufficient for them the same way as for you. Maybe their time isn’t yet to come.”

12. The Cost of Following Jesus (18:00–19:09)

• Several people express a desire to follow Jesus, but ask for concessions or delay.
• Jesus warns that the commitment must be total—no looking back.
  • Quote [18:46]: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. It’s going to cost something to follow Jesus.”
  • Quote [19:09]: “God doesn’t compromise to fit our standards. We should be allowing the word of God to change our life and conform our heart.”

13. Closing Exhortation (19:19–end)

• Bryce encourages listeners to reflect: “What has it costed you to follow Jesus?”
• He directs audiences to engage with scripture directly—not just through his podcast—and prays that the Luke series blesses listeners.

---

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• "[04:02] God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God chooses the most unqualified people, oftentimes to do a miraculous work."
• "[06:11] Sometimes we need a friend like John the Baptist, you know, that walks up in there, say, hey, stop doing that. Stop. Quit it. Stop sleeping with your bro's wife."
• "[08:35] God can do extraordinary things with the wrong ingredients. God can do magnificent, beautiful things with an honest heart, even if it’s broken."
• "[09:34] We have to ask ourselves this question every day: Who do we say Jesus is?"
• "[10:49] Have the same intention with your life that I’m having with mine. The same way I’m loving you unto death, you must love me unto death."
• "[13:39] Jesus Christ is the new Moses who came to set the captives free… You and I have been grafted into the family tree of God… so that you and I are now Israel."
• "[16:41] There’s no competition in the kingdom of God. We’re all on the same team. Why are we jealous of other people doing work for God, big or small?"
• "[18:46] No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. It’s going to cost something to follow Jesus."
• "[19:09] God doesn’t compromise to fit our standards. We should be allowing the word of God to change our life and conform our heart."

---

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• [03:02] Bryce receives a harmonica as a Christmas gift, briefly lightening the mood before diving into scripture.
• [06:50] Raw commentary on Herod’s scandalous birthday party.
• [11:57] Bryce highlights the wonder of the Transfiguration and draws a vivid comparison between Moses and Jesus as liberators.
• [17:42] Comical take on James and John wanting to “tiki torch” the Samaritan village, followed by Jesus's rebuke.

---

Overall Takeaway

Bryce Crawford delivers an engaging, passionate, and thought-provoking walk through Luke Chapter 9. He combines real-world application, honest reflection, and deep theological insight, encouraging listeners to embrace the cost of discipleship, practice humility, and appreciate the breadth and grace of the Gospel. This episode stands as a strong reminder to rely on God, serve without jealousy, and allow the Word to transform our lives at any cost.

Transcript

[A]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree. Zoe, this thing weighs a ton. Drew Ski, live with your legs, man. Santa. Santa, did you get my letter? He's talking to you britches. I'm not. Of course he did. Right, Santa, you know my elf, Drew Ski here. He handles the nice list. And elf. I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile, you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies, right, Mrs. Claus? I'm Mrs. Claus. Claus much younger sister. And AT T Mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch, so you can keep your old phone or give it as a gift. And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes. Nice. My side of the tree is slipping. Kimber, the holidays are better. AT T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade in needed. And now T mobile is available in U.S. cellular stores with sweeper. Monthly bill credits for well qualified customers, plus tax and $35 vice connection charge credit sentinel balance due to payout earlier. Cancel Finance agreement. 256 gates, $830. Eligible Ford in a new line, $100 plus a month plan with auto feeds required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit t mobile.com okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first.

There, the last one.

Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

If you're watching or listening to this right now, this means this is your sign to come to the Bryce Crawford Live podcast store in 2026. We're bringing it to Australia, New Zealand and America. At the front end of 2026, we're coming to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Australia. We're coming to Auckland, New Zealand, Phoenix, Arizona, New York City, Pennsylvania. Boston, Alabama, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Florida, Charlotte, North Carolina, Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, Cal. And if you're a Mormon and you want to learn about Jesus and not Joseph Smith, we're going to be in Salt Lake City, Utah as well. A lot of them is sold out, but there's some that have low tickets and we want to make sure you get your seat. So go to jesusonthestreet.org tour, get your tickets, come out to the live podcast show because I believe that God is preparing a word specifically for each city we visit. So go to jesusonthestreet.org tour, get your tickets, and we'll see you guys in 2026 for the live podcast tour. What's going on, guys? Welcome back to another episode of the Bryce Crawford Podcast. I'm Bryson. Today we are in Luke chapter nine for the Luke's years. But before we get into it, you know, we're gonna open up some gifts. Dylan the elf, where are you? Dylan? Dylan. All right, which one do you like? You know, I'm not gonna lie, this blue one's kind of calling my name over here. Take the blue one. You know what? I'm gonna take the blue one. Merry Christmas, Bryce. You earned it this year. Thank you. Thank you. That's really sweet of you.

Okay.

It's a harmonica. There you go. You always wanted to play music, dude.

Thank you so much, man. This is sweet. Should I just give it a try? Yeah, play too. Okay. Let me give it a try. I know you've always wanted one of those. Dude, that was super sweet.

Yep, I'm living my dream right there. That was it. That was the nostalgia that just came, man. Thank you so much for that. That was super sweet of you. Yeah, I appreciate you. Yep, thanks so much. Well, as always, we're going to get into the word of God today. We're going to be in Luke chapter nine. We're going to see that he called the 12 together, gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. And he sent them out and he said to them, take nothing for your journey. No staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not have two eunuch. And whatever you enter, stay there and from there depart and worry they do not receive you. Leave that town, shake it off the dust and from your feet as a testimony against him. And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the Gospel, healing them. God calls and equips people. God does not.

Call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God chooses the most unqualified people, oftentimes to do a miraculous work. And I think it's beautiful. And also I think there's something important here. You know, I met someone.

Back in.

Earlier this year, by the way, so encouraged by the zeal that this woman has for God.

But she said, well, Jesus said, told me to sell all my belongings in order to follow him. And so I need to do so. We have to remember, we get the privilege of having a Bible that has letterheads and different size fonts and different colored leather, but if we would just read it like it was originally written, just one flowy letter. We're going to read like 10 chapters from now. He's. Jesus is going to go, hey, you remember that time I told you not to bring tunic? Not to bring money, not to bring a knapsack. Okay. Now that I'm ascending into heaven, bring those things and use wisdom. Jesus is teaching the disciples early on, while he's still alive in this thing, in his physical body, to rely and trust on God. That's what he's teaching them. And so we just have to make sure we read the full context of that. Now, Herod is perplexed. Now, this is interesting right here. We're about to get into some juice right here. Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead. By some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. So they didn't know that Jesus was of Christ. Yeah, they think that he's just Elijah or John the Baptist. King Herod's like, John, I just beheaded. But who is this about whom I hear such things?

Here's an interesting thought. Sexual sin is going to come after forerunners of the faith. You see, John the Baptist, the reason he was thrown in jail was because he found out that King Herod was sleeping with his brother's wife. This is real. And so he walks up into the castle, into. Into his palace and rebukes him, AKA Herod. Stop sleeping, sleeping with your bro's wife.

John the Baptist, we sometimes need a friend like that. I love that my. My brother Keenan shared that. He's like, sometimes we need a friend like John the Baptist, you know, that walks up in there, say, hey, stop doing that. Stop. Quit it. Stop sleeping with your bro's wife here. It's like, what the heck? You're not going to tell me to stop sleeping with my brother's wife. Throw you in jail. But he doesn't kill John the Baptist because he's like, well, the people love John the Baptist. The people will revolt against me if I try to kill him. So whatever throws him in jail. Then.

Later on, this woman sends her daughter for King Herod's birthday.

To perform a striptease for King Herod. Is that not the most disgusting thing you've ever heard? King Herod's brother's wife's daughter does a striptease on King Herod. That's disgusting. It's disgusting.

And King Herod's like, this is the greatest thing since white on rice. He's like, I've never in my life had anything greater than this, than this sexual dance this girl just performing, I will give you. He looks at her and Says, I will give you whatever you want up to half my kingdom. You want half of my wealth, I'll give it to you, whatever you want. So this girl comes home and says, mom, you won't believe what he just said to me. He said, give me whatever I want. She says, tell him you want John the Baptist's head on a platter.

So John the Baptist, not desiring to beheaded John the Baptist sexual sin is going to headhunt Christians.

Be alert, be watchful. This is so interesting. Freaking disgusting. Verse 10. On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done, and they took them to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned that, they followed him.

And verse 12, it says now the day began to wear away, and the 12 came and said to him, send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions for we are here in the desolate place. But he said to them, you give them something to eat. Said, we have no more than five loaves and two fish. Now imagine this.

God says, I'm gonna do something great with you. And you're like, yeah, but I. I'm broken. All I got is just my shattered heart.

God can do extraordinary things.

With the wrong ingredients. God can do magnificent, beautiful things with an honest heart, even if it's broken.

We have no more than five loaves and two fish.

We're going to buy food for all these people, for we are about 5,000 men, that's not even counting the women. And the children have them sit down in groups of about 50 each. And they did so. And they all sat down and taken five loaves and two fish. He looked up to heaven, blessed it, broke it. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up 12 baskets of broken pieces.

This is important. Verse 18 here. Now, it happened as he was praying alone. Jesus asked the disciples, who do the people say that I am? We're going to see the first time that one of the disciples realized he's the Christ. Like, well, some of you think that you're John the Baptist, some that think you're the prophet Elijah. You know, we have to ask ourselves this question every day. Who do we say Jesus is?

And he says, but who do you say that I am? And Peter says, you are the Christ of God. And In Matthew, chapter 16, there's an elaborate answer. Jesus says, it's not by flesh and blood that you've been able to understand this, but it is a gift from God. There's this interesting dynamic of the sovereignty of God in Scripture, where.

God reveals himself and makes it understandable to people.

God's the one that softens the heart. God's the one that brings the increase.

And Jesus foretells his death. He says in verse 22, the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

This is so funny. Then he says, immediately after.

This is so crazy. So Jesus just says, I've got to suffer for three days. I'm going to die, be beaten, bruised, mocked and killed. And then I'll be raised from the dead. And then he immediately says, if anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me.

Have the same intention with your life that I'm having with mine.

The same way I'm loving you unto death, you must love me unto death. For he says, forever. For whoever would save his life will lose it. Whoever tries to grip their life in their own strength will lose their life. But he says, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul forever? Ashamed of me and of my words, of him. Will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels? But I tell you truly, there are some standing who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.

True life with Jesus starts the moment you put faith in him.

What does it profit you.

To do things for selfish gain? You've already received your reward. Jesus says many times in the Gospels, eyeballs, what does it profit you? Doesn't profit you anything.

And about eight days after this, he took. The transfiguration is so interesting.

So powerful. About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter and John and James, his three closest Peter, James and John. They go up the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered and his clothes became dazzling white. The glorified Jesus, the incarnate Jesus in the flesh, is glorified for a moment on a mountain in front of Peter, James and John.

Exalted and glorified. He's just glowing on a mountain in simple terms. And two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep. When they became fully awake, they saw him. Glory in glory in his glory and the two men who stood with him. And Peter's like, dude, is. Is it good that we're here? Are we even supposed to see this right now? Let me make three tents. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Not knowing what he said as he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. And they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, this is my son, my chosen one. Listen to him. When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone and they kept silent. And no one knows these days. You know what's crazy is on the transfiguration where for the first time in this physical body, Jesus is seen in glory and in power. In front of Peter, James and John, Moses appears. And it's interesting because in the Old Testament, Moses was a prophet sent from God to set Israel from captivity as a nation. But now, Jesus Christ, who is the new Moses in parentheses or in. In quotations, Jesus Christ is the new Moses who came to set the captives free.

You and I have been grafted into the family tree of God that have been given a right. A white American male from America or. Or. Or. Or the Cambodian from. From Asia, or. Or. Or. Or the. Or. Or the Mexican from Latin America. We have been given the right to be called children of God, grafted into this thing called Israel, so that you and I are now Israel. We have been set free. Jesus is the new Moses to set us free from captivity, set us free from sin. He's like, I'm the new Moses. It's so powerful.

To think that you and I, when we put faith in Jesus, have been given the right to become children of Abraham, you and I become a part of Israel. This lineage, when we put faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus is the new Moses to set us free, set the captives free. He's ransomed us from hell.

And on the next day, when they had come, come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he's my only child. Behold, a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth and shatters him. Again we see the destructive nature of demons. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not. Jesus answered, oh, fateless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here. While he was coming, the demon threw him on the ground and convulsed Him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, killed the boy and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished. The demons have to obey to Jesus. While they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said, let these words sink into your ears. He's like, if you hear anything, hear this. The Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, saying, I'm about to die. But they didn't understand what he was saying.

And then think about this verse 46. An argument arose among them of who was the greatest? Because I know I'm the greatest man. I'm one of the three. I'm one of the three. And then maybe jaws like, no, man, you don't have. No, I'm closer than you are, Peter man. I'm his favorite. I'm God's favorite. I'm the greatest. I'm the greatest. And then Jesus says this. Whoever receives this child in my name receives me. And whoever receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great. He's encouraging a humble, gentle spirit.

John answered, master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he doesn't follow with us. But Jesus said to him, do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you. You know what's so crazy about ministry is there's so much competition where churches, churches begin to dislike each other and disunify because they say, well, you're taking my congregation. That's my congregation. You can't take that person from my church. Or, or, well, I'm the only one that can preach the gospel. They can't preach the gospel. No, no, no. Jesus says, don't stop people who are doing the ministry that they've been assigned to do. Rejoice that the gospel is being preached.

There's no competition in the kingdom of God. We're all on the same team. Why are we jealous of other people doing work for God, big or small? Why are we jealous of other people just because God trusts them with something that we're not trusted with? Maybe you can't be trusted with what God trusts someone else because it's going to crush you. And maybe God can trust you with what he trusts you with because it's going to crush someone else and he can trust you to handle it.

When the days drew near, he set his face to go to Jerusalem, and he sent some messengers ahead of him into Samaritan, into a village of The Samaritans. But the people did not receive him because his face was set towards Jerusalem.

When his disciples James and John saw, they said, lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? He's like, this city doesn't do Jesus. These guys don't like you. Do you want us to just ask God to tiki torch this city right now? Like that's the craziest thing I've ever heard in my life. Hey, hey, Jesus, I do not like that these guys don't like you. Do you want me to ask God to just set this city on fire right now?

He's a pyromaniacs right now.

But he turned and rebuked them.

Crazy. Don't do that.

You imagine, just imagine Jesus, my grace is sufficient for them the same way as for you. Maybe their time isn't yet to come.

And then in verse 57, to close us out as they were going.

Says as they were along the road, some said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. Says foxes have holds and birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head to another he said, follow me. But he said, lord, Lord, let me just go bury my Father first. And, and, and Jesus says, leave the dead to bur own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God, he's not saying that, that don't care about your father. See, this guy's like, well let me just go bury my father first. We don't even know if his father's dead yet. He's like well I, I just need to go deal with a few things and I, I don't know when I'll be back, but I, I will be back. Maybe just can I go do this thing first? Empty promises, not sold out for Jesus. And another one said, I'll follow you Lord, but let me just go, go say goodbye to my family.

He says, no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. It's going to cost something to follow Jesus. And I would argue you, if it's not costing you comfortability, resources, loss of friendships to follow Jesus, you might not be following the right Jesus because it costs something to follow him.

God doesn't compromise to fit our standards. We should be, we should be allowing the word of God to change our life and conform our heart.

It's going to cost something follow Jesus. What has it costed you to follow Jesus? Guys, thank you so much for reading Luke chapter nine. With us and tomorrow we will see you for Luke chapter 10. Hey, thank you guys so much for watching the Luke series. I pray that this thing is a blessing to you and the ultimate heart is so that you go and read this word daily. You don't rely on the podcast, you rely on the word of God and the Holy Spirit. Thank you guys so much for watching. If you like the episodes, subscribe follow us on social media and we'll see you guys in the next episode.