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I am coming to Know Jesus by the Stages of His Ministry The person God wants me to know best and follow in the Bible is His Son, Jesus Christ. This is an awesome, rewarding, sometimes frustrating task! Jeremiah (31:33) states the New Covenant God wants to make with man as putting His law on our minds and writing it on our hearts. I want to meet Jesus daily as my personal friend (fully human) and the Son of God (fully divine). He promised His Father would give me a Counselor to be with me forever (John 14:15-18) so He can nurture His spirit within me. This is a becoming process.These stages are in parallel with the becoming process of those who followed Him:
The New Testament presents an interesting Biography of the life of Jesus. Professor David A. Black noted that scholars indicate the Gospels describe a total of about 45 days in Jesus’ life. Matthew and John were disciples and walked with Him daily in His ministry. Mark (Peter) and Luke (Paul) record their gospels from being with Apostles during their ministry. This past year while facilitating a group in the Holy Land I began teaching the Stages of the earthly life of Jesus around places: Nazareth Capernaum Perea
/ Judea Jerusalem These four geographic locations help me recall the progression of Jesus’ life from fully human at birth to fully divine as the Risen Christ. They also identity stages of His ministry. Study a map of Jesus’ ministry (often found at the back of a Bible). Note the entire area in which Jesus ministered is less than 150 long and 50 miles wide. Nazareth and Capernaum (on the Sea of Galilee) are to the North. Judea (Jerusalem and Bethlehem) lies to the South separated from Galilee by Samaria. Perea lies to the East of Judea, across the Jordan River. In the picture (upper right) the cross of Christ is placed at the center of the Tree of Life. The life of Jesus, told in the Gospels, is the hinge of the Bible, in fact the hinge of human history. Moving to organization : Nazareth, Capernaum, Perea / Judea, and Jerusalem provides a way for lay persons to sense human struggles Jesus faced to get God’s message across to His varied audiences. One can also read the limited biography we have of Jesus’ life chronologically. A fully human, incarnate Jesus grows from a babe in swaddling clothes to the divine risen Christ, meeting Mary Magdalene at the Garden tomb and entering locked doors to visit his disciples.
The
Life of Christ Told around places Place Accronym Bible
Reading Subjects Nazareth In’s
of Nazareth Matthew
1-4:11, Mark
1:1-12, Luke
1-4:30, John
1-4:44 Incarnation Instruction Inspiration Inaguaration Capernaum C’s
of Capernaum The
Galilean Ministry Matthew
4:12-18:35, Mark
1:21 – 9 Calling
Followers Commandments Caring –
Healing Centrifugal/
Centripetal faith Cultivating Church as
Community Perean
– Judean Ministry Discipleship
Defined Divinity
Declared John 7
– 10 Servanthood,
I Am’s
of John Jerusalem Passover
Week to Pentecost (Nearly
40% of the Gospels are devoted to these days in
Jerusalem) Matthew
21-28, Mark 11-16, Luke 19:28 – 24:53,John
11-21, Acts 1-2 Passover
Week Triumphal Entry, Temple Visits, Olivet
Discourse, Dialog in Upper Room, Gethsemane, Before
Sanhedrin and Pilate / Crucifixion, Garden Tomb,
Confession of Disciples – Jesus curios - He is
Lord, Ascension, Pentecost the
Holy Spirit inspires Peter, and the other
Apostles
Read; Matthew 1-4:11, Luke 1-4:30, Mark 1:1-12, John 1-4:44 Incarnation Jesus
Birth Luke
1-2:40, Mt. 1-2. Instruction Boy
Jesus at Temple Luke
2:41-52 Inspiration Baptism,
Temptation Mt.
3 – 4:11, Mark 1:1-12, Luke 3 - 4:13, John
1-4:44 Inauguration
- Year of ends Rejection
in Nazareth Luke
4:14-31 Incarnation and Instruction - SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS The time had fully come (Galatians 4:4 the "fullness of time") for God to send His Son. Greek culture (Hellenist language and philosophy) and Roman (Progress and Roads) provided the "back drop" for God to fulfill his promised Messiah from the Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49). The Holy conception within Mary, acceptance of the situation by Joseph, birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, flight to Egypt, and childhood of Jesus is told in two Gospels, Matthew and Luke. Luke traces the lineage of Jesus to Adam; Matthew, (presenting the Messiah as from the tribe of Judah) traces the line to Abraham. We celebrate God’s gift of light into the world each Christmas season. Luke "set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us". Luke shares the birth of Jesus in his first chapters. Herod was King in Judea. An elderly priest, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, became pregnant with a son, John. Their son became John the Baptist. Elizabeth was pregnant six months, when the angel Gabriel visited her relative a virgin, Mary in Nazareth. The angel told Mary not to be afraid. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. Mary was also to become pregnant and would bear a son named Jesus, Son of God most high. While Mary first questioned Gabriel, since she was a virgin, and Joseph gave thought to stepping quietly away from his engagement, both Mary and Joseph were obedient and became servants of the Lord. Mary said, "Here I am…Lord,.let it be according to your word". A decree came out from the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken. Mary and Joseph made their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem (the City of David’s birth) and while there Mary gave birth in a stable. At the time, shepherds from the local fields and wise men from the East, came to honor His birth. After eight days had passed the child was circumcised. Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem and Simeon, a righteous and devout man guided by the Spirit blessed the Messiah. Soon Joseph was visited in a dream by an angel of the Lord. He was advised to take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until told otherwise. Desperate to protect his throne, Herod ordered the slaughter of all babies less than two years old in Bethlehem. Upon Herod’s death, an angel appeared to Joseph ordering the return of his family. Fearing life in Judea, Joseph settled in his hometown Nazareth. Little is known of the childhood of Jesus except for a Passover visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old. He was about his fathers’ work in his house. Luke 2:52 Tells us He increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. REFLECTIONS O Holy night, the stars were brightly shining, it is the night of our dear savior’s birth. Help us to continue to put Christ back in the celebration of His birth at Christmas. Matthew records the gifts of the magi; Gold – symbolizing royalty, a messianic King, Frankincense ingredient in worship aroma and myrrh, heals - Imperial Priest. Of consistent interest to the gospels witness is to the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Jesus must have been diligent in His study of the Old Testament scriptures. At age twelve He was delighted to be in His Father’s House in dialog with teachers in the temple courts. We too must learn to have joy in spiritual dialog. This is comforting for me to know. As He grew quietly over time, I too find growing in wisdom and stature is a patient, maturing process in my life.
Inspiration and Inauguration - Baptism, Temptation Rejection in Nazareth SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler in Galilee, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah. His ministry fulfilled (Isaiah 40:3-5a) "A voice cries: In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…The ground shall become level and the rough places a plain, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed." Jesus leaves Nazareth and a carpentry business and comes to the River Jordan wilderness and is baptized by John. A voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21) Affirmation in our lives is important. When we hear a calling, undertake a task, it is important to feel the affirmation of the Spirit within us that our talents and gifts are being properly deployed. How important it must have been that Jesus knew His Father loved Him, and He was well pleased with Him. Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry also must have felt the Baptists’ affirmation with John’s sharing; one who is more powerful than I is coming, I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals…he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Baptism inaugurated the public ministry of Jesus. In some ways baptism is both initiation and ordination for service in God's Kingdom. Jesus' ministry was launched. On His journey to Jerusalem, he spent forty days being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. We can identify with Jesus. How often have we received affirmation to serve the Lord, only to be tempted by worldly pleasures and time commitments? Matthew 4 records Jesus faced three temptations and Jesus answered each with God’s word from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13):
Devil’s
Temptation Deuteronomy
Scripture Jesus
Answer Stones
to loaves of bread 8:3 One
does not live by bread alone, but the word of
God Jump
from Pinnacle of temple safely 6:16 Do
not test the Lord Material
splendor, kingdoms 6:13 Worship
God and serve Him, not worldly kingdoms The events of Jesus 1st year of ministry flow quickly. After His temptation, some of the events include; Selected
Events "Year of Inauguration" Visiting
with a Samaritan woman at a well in the town of
Sychar Changing
water into wine at a wedding in Cana Visiting
the Temple in Jerusalem chastizing the money
changers Visit
with Pharisee Nichodemus who came by night - You
must be born again Reading
scrolls in the Synagogue in Nazareth - Rejection -
Ministry moved to Galilee Luke 4 beginning at the 14th verse tells us Jesus read from Isaiah in the Synagogue in Nazareth. He announced the Lord had anointed him to preach the good news to the poor. Jesus announced that He was the fulfillment of the scriptures and also predicted no prophet would be accepted in his hometown. The local people of Nazareth were furious when they heard this and drove Him out of town! The first year of Jesus’ ministry ended with this rejection in his hometown, Nazareth. He moved his ministry to Capernaum, on the nearby shores of the Sea of Galilee. Thus began what is known as the Great Galilean ministry. Gathering of disciples and great teaching transpired.
REFLECTIONS God we thank you for the patience of Jesus with humans. Also, thanks for His obedience to you during the year of Inauguration of His Ministry. We thank thee for the perseverance He showed. Help us to maintain commitment to the work we undertake for you in the world and your Kingdom. Help us to understand the importance of being connected to you and serving you when rejection and problems arise in missions we undertake for you.
READ – Matthew 4:12 – 18:35 and Mark 1:21-9
C’s
of Capernaum Subject Bible
Reading Calling
His Followers Repent,
Come follow me Mt.
4:12-25 Commandments
written on our Hearts –
Character Attitudes
of followers OT law on our hearts Beatitudes
Mt. 5:1-16 Sermon
on Mount -. Mt. 5-7 Caring The
Ministry of Healing Mark
1:21 – 9:50 Centrifugal
vs. Centripetal faith Sending
the Disciples – Two by two Matthew
10 Cultivation
of teachings Kingdom
Parables.. Sower, Mustard Seed, Pearl Matthew
13 Church
as Community Caesarea
Philippi Priesthood
of Believers Peter,
on this Rock I will build my church Matthew
16:13-20 Calling, Commandments, Caring - SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS As Jesus moved his ministry to Galilee, he began calling persons he met to repent the Kingdom of heaven is near. Some common persons became His first disciples (followers). These four men were engaged in successful fishing businesses on the Sea of Galilee, two sets of brothers (Andrew and Simon [Peter], James and John, sons of Zebedee). They immediately left their nets and followed His call to become fishers of men. This would mean leaving their emphasis on worldly matters. Jesus taught his followers Kingdom values as they humbled themselves before the Lord. This obedience and humility, requires followers to begin with Kingdom attitudes – Being Attitudes (Beatitudes) - rather than worldly attitudes. The nine Beatitudes can be organized in many ways. It helps me to think of the first four as an inward journey leading to blessings of mind by the Lord and the next four as an outward journey of holiness blessings. In this approach, the ninth is a capstone attitude stated in Matthew 5:11-12. Our calling to be salt and light in His world 5:13-16 is blessed and purified with kingdom attitudes. Referring to Matthew 5:3-16:
Beattitudes-Humbling
Attitude Blessing INWARD Poor
in Spirit Theirs
is the Kingdom of Heaven Mourn,
cry out to the Lord They
will be comforted Meek
behavior They
will inherit the earth Hunger
and thirst after righteousness They
will be filled OUTWARD Merciful They
will be shown mercy Pure
in heart They
will see God Peacemakers They
will be called children of God Persecuted
for righteousness Theirs
is the Kingdom of Heaven CAPSTONE - Blessed are you when people revile and utter evil against you on my account, rejoice and be glad your reward is in heaven. You are the salt of the earth, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds. Jesus emphasized teaching through sermons, parables, and by example. The Sermon on the Mount is considered Jesus’ greatest sermon. His knowledge of the Old Testament is demonstrated by His careful citing of OT passages. His fully human nature embraced the human condition; turn the other cheek, don’t worry about tomorrow, and don’t judge. The Sermon on the Mount sets a high standard for followers of Christ to follow. He ends of the Sermon on the Mount reminding us we are wise builders in life to focus on the Rock of His teachings! Jesus builds on the OT and law of the Prophets with focus on the moral laws of Moses, the Ten Commandments. He avoided civil law, later instructing followers to render to Caesar what was Caesar’s and God what was God’s. Bringing our focus on laws of the heart and love, Jesus did not emphasize the practice of the ceremonial laws of atonement (Ex. 16). Through the shedding of His blood on the Cross He would become the sacrificial Lamb. His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount can be viewed as fulfillment of the new covenant described by the Prophet Jeremiah (31:31-34) Jeremiah stated; "The time is coming" declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Isreal and the house of Judea….I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts…" In part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus visualizes Old Testament moral commandments as written on our minds and hearts as we love the Lord, and Love your neighbor:
Love the
Lord Love Your
Neighbor Pray
privately, Our father who art in heaven Murder®
Anger with brother Treasures
in heaven, not on earth Adultery®
Lust Trust
the Lord, don’t judge, seek His
will Eye
for an eye®
Love enemies, turn other cheek The
way is narrow, be a wise builder Oaths®
Don’t swear falsely / parade good
deeds Jesus teaches to love our friends and our enemies. He calls us to give to the needy. Pray to Our Father to be heard in heaven, not to be seen on Earth. Work towards heavenly treasures and do not worry about earthly treasures. Judging others by calling attention to the splinter in their eye ignoring the log in our own eye is discouraged. Ask to understand the Father’s will and He will give good gifts to those who ask. Jesus fairly represents His way as a narrow gate that leads to life. God desires that we serve humbly and obediently. He who loses his life for my sake will find it…come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. The temple Jesus came to build is within each life He touched. Through humility and an attitude of serving God living water begins to flow. Christ calls us to be a part of God’s indwelling temple, in which Christ is the cornerstone. Mark’s Gospel is action packed. Recorded mostly from traveling with Peter and listening to the Apostle’s sermons and teachings, one emphasis Mark has is the caring, healing ministry of Jesus. Reading Mark 1:14 – 9:50 we see while Jesus was in Galilee he healed many persons and performed miracles. We sense the warm heart He had for His fellow man. Our prayer as His followers we too can care and help bring our fellow human beings to wholeness.
Centrifugal vs. Centripetal Faith, Cultivation of teachings, Church defined as Community
SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Jesus made His promise of wholeness not only to His disciples, but all those who followed Him. Wholeness can be viewed as discovering the unique person God wants each of us to become. In Matthew 8-16 observe Jesus bringing wholeness to those who believed. He trained disciples to go out (centrifigul) two by two, shared through parables life long cultivation of His teachings (the Parable of the Sower). The Jewish faith had an inward focus (centripetal). Birth within a Hebrew family blood line was valued as a key to full membership. Samaritans, born to mixed Jewish families, were looked down upon. In Matthew 10 sends out His disciples to the lost sheep of Israel to share His message, "the Kingdom of Heaven is near". Later in final instructions to His disciples who were about to become apostles of the faith, he would expand the mission for hHis message to the ends of the earth. Jesus clearly envisioned a centrifigul faith for all the peoples of the world. In Matthew 13 Jesus shares a series of Parables describing the Kingdom of heaven. One of the secrets of heaven he describes is cultivation of his teachings. The story of the farmer sowing seed can be likened to the Word He is sowing; some fell on the path and was eaten by birds …never reaching the human head or heart. Other seeds fell among the rocks, sprang up briefly before the sun parched the shallow soil…those who listened and observed briefly to His teachings. Some seed fell among the thorns and were choked as they grew….as example those who pursue worldly and heavenly teachings. Finally, fell on good soil (a fertile mind of a follower of Christ and His teachings) ….a crop was produced a hundred, sixty, thirty times what was sown! Walking with Christ, thus cultivating and nurturing His teachings, produces a life of multiplication! As the Great Galilean ministry draws to a close Jesus visits the region of Caesarea Philippi, a stronghold of Hellenistic thinking and worship of the Greek God Pan. It was here that Simon Peter affirmed Christ, as the Son of the Living God. Peter’s confession, "you are the Christ, the son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16) at Caesarea Philippi, in Northern Galilee. Jesus states believers such as Peter are the Rock upon which He will build his church! The church is defined as a community of believers. From Caesarea Philippi, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a mountain. There he was transfigured before them. His face showed like the sun, and his clothes became white with light. Two central Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus. During this period the Father’s voice from a cloud again affirmed Jesus and His ministry. As they descended from the mountain Jesus told those who were with Him, not to tell what they had seen until He was raised from the dead. The appearance of Jesus changed to James, John, and Peter in the transfiguration. He was made bright and glorious. He appeared with Moses and Elijah, and the voice of God from a cloud affirmed Jesus for a second time. (see Baptism and beginning of Ministry). God added to the baptism affirmation the words "Listen to Him" as a statement of His approval of the work His Son was accomplishing. From that time forward Jesus began explaining to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, confront the chief priests, be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Jesus predicted His betrayal into human hands. He noted that he would be killed and on the third day be raised. The disciples were distressed and did not understand what He was saying. Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. When they reached Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked for Jesus to pay the temple tax. Jesus instructed Peter to go to the sea and take the necessary coin from the mouth of the first fish that came up in the water. Later He would instruct them to pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s. Jesus instructed his followers that they must change and become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. REFLECTIONS Help me to better appreciate the faith Jesus had to leave Galilee and His great success in ministry to face head on the challenges and difficulties of confrontation with Jewish and Roman leaders in Jerusalem. I pray for the faith of a child in tasks you lay before me in your Kingdom. Thank you for Jesus and his listening to your Heavenly calling at the transfiguration. May we have the faith of a mustard seed Jesus describes. As the Galilean ministry draws to a close, we see Jesus came to reach and touch persons of all backgrounds. His disciples included persons from all walks of life. His followers had a deep commitment, many fell away, but the fruits of His ministry (changed lives) provides the basis for the furtherance of the early church through the Acts of His Apostles.
Discipleship
Defined as Surrender Luke
9:51-1Luke 9:51-19:27 Divinity
Declared " I Am’s" John
7-10– JJohn
7-10 John
7 – 10 Discipleship Defined as Surrender – SELECTED SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Luke 9:51 tells us Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem after the Transfiguration in Galilee. Later in Luke 13:22 continues what is known as "Luke’s travelogue" as we learn Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. The base for Jesus ministry moved about during this six months of His earthly ministry. Perea, an area East of Jerusalem across the Jordan River, was the center at this time providing an area from which sojourns occurred. Although those disciples close to Jesus did not fully understand the transfiguration, the affirmation Jesus received from God would again carry His spirit to a triumphal entry and Passion in Jerusalem. Luke’s travelogue "raises the stakes" for the followers of Jesus by defining discipleship as surrender. Jesus creates a sense of urgency with his parables at this time. Luke’s travelogue relates many of Jesus’ teachings in Parable form. A Parable is an earthly story that illustrates a heavenly or spiritual truth. In reading a parable one first starts with understanding the audience (disciples, Pharisees, crowd) to whom Jesus was telling the story. In Biblical time what would have been their frame of reference. After putting the parable in its Bible times setting, current teaching regarding parables encourages use to ask is there a Kingdom principle or lesson Jesus wanted His audience to take away from each of the characters he introduced. He framed much kingdom teaching during the Perean ministry in this fashion. He communicated along side something else…an earthy story that could be understood by his audience. Some areas of truth he illuminated were; sin, salvation, lame excuses humans use to avoid God’s plan, God’s loving nature, and human versus heavenly values. His Parables captured hearers by their vivid nature, uncomplicated characters, and unexpected elements. The Luke 9-21 parables were shared and heard while he and the disciples moving towards Jerusalem where he would face of cross. Through parables He answered those who opposed him, pressed his claims, handled objections, and was about God’s work. In studying parables: take care to identify Jesus’ audience, try to hear the story with the ears of a 1st century listener, and be willing to draw conclusions based upon the main characters of the parable. For example, in the parable of the lost Son (Luke 15): the Father (God)….demonstrates forgiveness
I am finding three themes around which I organize the Perean teachings of Jesus are;
THEMES TEACHINGS 1.
Pictures of kingdom living Do
not worry – Luke 12:32 …Your Father has
been pleased to give you the Kingdom Like a mustard
seed, yeast in dough – Luke 13:21..it grows
The Kingdom is among (within) you – Luke
17:20b,21…It does not come from
observation 2.
A sense of urgency regarding making a decision to
follow Him The
sign of Jonah – Luke 11:30…like Jonah to
the Ninevites, Jesus a sign The Rich fool –
Luke 12:20…this very night your life will be
demanded of you The banquet – Luke
14:18….they began to make excuses Rich man and
Lazarus Luke 16:25….remember your life time,
now you are in agony Zacchaeus 19:9…today
salvation has come to this house 3.
The rewards of surrender the narrow way He called
His disciples Who
is greatest? - Luke9:48b…he who is least among
you Hand to the Plow - Luke 9:62…no man puts
hand to plow and looks back Who is my neighbor?
10:34…the story of the Good Samaritan Who will
be saved? – Luke 13:24… Make every effort
to go through the narrow door Cost of Discipleship
– Luke 14:27…Anyone who does not carry
his cross, not a disciple The shrewd manager -Luke
16:13…No servant can serve two masters Rich
young ruler - Luke 18:27…What is impossible
with men is possible with God John tells us of a trip to Jerusalem (7:14) during the feast of the Tabernacles (October) and again for the Feast of Dedication (10:22) in the winter (December). Through journeys to Jerusalem recorded in John (7-10), Jesus begins declaring His divinity in a series of "I AM" declarations. This raises ire among the leaders in the temple. Son of Man was the most common name Jesus used for addressing himself. Son of Man avoids a deity claim ‘Son of God’, and possible immediate attack by his foes. Jesus did not ‘wear his feelings on his sleeve’ in parabolic dialog. I pray for increased application of this Christ like talent in my life. How can I attain Christ’s balance in my life; strong for the Lord, have impact, yet use my head for Him? John’s purpose in His Gospel is (John 20:29-31) ….so that those who have not seen may "believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". For John, Jesus was the word (logos) of God in human flesh dwelling among us, life from above, abundant and eternal, and our eternal life begins now through believing in Him! In addition to providing signs of His WORKS (miracles) John shares WORDS Jesus used claiming his special relationship with God the Father….I AM the way to know the Father. John records "I AM Claims" Jesus made during His travels to the two feasts identified above during the Perean ministry overviewed in Luke. Two additional I am claims from Passion week are included to sense the continuity of John on this subject: WORDS "I
AM" Verses
from JOHN I
am the Bread of Life from Heaven 6:22-71 The
Living Father sent me 6:57 My
teaching is not my own, It comes from
him
who
sent me 7:16 But
I know him because I am from him
and
He
sent me 7:29 I
am the Light of the World 8:1-30 Before
Abraham born, I AM 8:31-59 I
am the Gate keeper for the sheep, the Good
Shepherd 10:1-21 Resurrection
and the Life 11:25 The
Way, the truth, and the life 14:6-7
- Later in the Upper Room I
am the vine, you are the branches 15:1-17
- Passing the Temple to Gethsemane Reflections In Galilee gathered His disciples and called them new commandment written on their hearts, to use centrifigul force in spreading the "good news", continuous cultivation of the Word, and community among believers as His church. Moving towards Jerusalem Jesus reminds His followers of the cost of discipleship...surrender to His way, and obediently sets the environment (through trips to Jerusalem) to confront the Jewish establishment at Passover. Help me to understand and live out the surrender and commitment folowing Jesus requires in my life daily.
Read: Matthew 21-28, Mark 11-16, Luke 19:28-24:53, John 11-21. Passover Week to Pentecost - SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Nearly 40% of the 4 Gospels are devoted to these last days in Jerusalem. Each of the Gospel writers has had a different audience in their Gospel writing. Matthew (for Hebrews) has seen Jesus as a teacher of the New Covenant. Luke (for gentiles) shared Jesus’ humanity and compassion for the less fortunate. Mark’s work is action oriented viewing Christ as the strong Son of God (for Romans). John, as discussed earlier recorded His works and words so that hose who have not seen may "believe". The thread that has help unify the four Gospel writer for me is the empty Cross of Christ, that left the ministry left the Word with His disciples calling them to become APOSTLES of the fatih. He had no other plan…and he has no other plan today. The faith is left in the hands, heads, and hearts of His followers to be His witnesses to the world….salt and light. From Passover Week to Pentecost the Disciples of Jesus had grown to become Apostles, His co-workers in the Kingdom! Let’s take a moment to define our terms: Disciple – Gr. Mathetes (disciple) from the verb Gr. manthano (to learn) - a disciple is a pupil or learner, manthano is the process and a mathetes is a person who attaches himself to another to gain practical or theoretical knowledge Apostle - Gr. Apostolos (apostle) in verb form apostello, is a strengthening of the verb form stello…to send forth with the thought of authorization e.g. official envoy, divinely sent teachers. Commissioned for work of the Kingdom. I have chosen selected events from period of the week preceding Passover to the day of Pentecost (the celebration of the first harvest fifty days after Passover on the Jewish calendar). Other may arrange the events differently or chose a different emphasis the empty Cross and Risen Christ calling his followers to become his witnesses (Acts.1:80 in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. That is fine. This is the message that helps me create a narrative for recall. The Narratives I generally use and New Testament references are: NARRATIVES New
Testament References Triumphal
Entry Matthew.
21:1-11 Temple
Visits / Olivet Discourse Matthew
21: 12 – 22:46, 23, 24, 25 Dialog
in Upper Room - Servanthood, Sacrifice,
Spirit John
14-15 Gethsemane
/ Before Sanhedrin and Pilate /
Crucifixion Matthew
26-27, John 16-19 The
Risen Christ, Garden Tomb – Stone Rolled Back
– Resurrection – Confession of Disciples
– Jesus curios - He is Lord Matthew
28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21 Mt.
Olives - Ascension Acts
1:1-9 Power of Holy Spirit When
the day of Pentecost came….all of them were
filled with the Holy Spirit Acts
2:1-4 Triumphal Entry – Matthew. 21:1-11 (also see Mark 11:1 and Luke 19:29) As they approached Jerusalem Jesus instructed two of His disciples to go ahead, you will find a donkey with her colt. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed cloaks upon them and Jesus sat upon them. Large crowds went ahead of Him shouting Hosanna, to the Son of David". As Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred and asked "Who is this?". The crowd answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." How would the long awaited Messiah come? What would he be like? Many Jews living when Jesus came were looking for another Leader / King. David and his mighty men had conquered Philistines and surrounding tribes nearly 1000 years prior. Surely God would send another leader to remove the yoke of Roman domination, and restore the Golden age. God had a different plan. The Messiah would be a servant of mankind. He will suffer death on a cross. Jesus was a suffering servant. (Isaiah 53) Temple Visits / Olivet Discourse Matthew 21: 12 – 22:46, 23, 24, 25 When Jesus visited the Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him questioning His authority. Initially, He did not tell them by what authority he was doing these things. Rather as Mathew relates he shared parables and indicated "the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who will produce its fruit". As Jesus silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees go together and asked, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?". (at that time the Jewish Law consisted of more than six hundred rabbinical teachings). Jesus replied trying to simplify, in Matthew 22:37-40: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." In Matthew 23 Jesus went on to point out the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees by pointing out "they do not practice what they preach". Listing seven woes for them Jesus left the temple area and retreated with His disciples to the Mount of Olives (across the Kidron valley). In Matthew 24 he discusses sign of the End of the Age and reminds His followers of the importance of sharing the Word. In 24:14 Jesus states "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whol world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. In 24:35 Jesus shares the endurance of the Word, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. He goes on to share the Day and hour of His return is known by no one, not even the Son, only the Father. In Matthew 25 Jesus shares three parables on the importance of preparedness for the day of His return. Dialog in Upper Room - Servanthood, Sacrifice, Spirit John 14-15 Jesus knew the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. How would he share with his disciples? These men and women had answered his call…come follow me. Jesus knew the Father had put all things under His power. He now showed his disciples the full extent of his love. Pouring water into a basin he washed the feet of his disciples. Foot washing was a custom of the times. Feet with sandals were both tired and dirty at the end of a day. Hospitality, warmth, and equality were all a servant’s task in the act of foot washing. Jesus commanded his followers: love each other. (Jn. 15:17). Jesus comforts those pursuing the sacrificial life. He is going to prepare a place for His followers. The way of serving will not be easy; Peter will betray his calling three times very shortly. Jesus leaves us a counselor, the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever. The bread (body) and wine (blood) become a cleansing celebration of His life for Jesus’ followers. As Jesus and his disciples take leave of the upper room He points to the symbolic grapes and vine on the temple doors; (Jn. 16:5a) I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Jesus completes this intimate discourse with his disciples in prayer to the Father…I don’t pray for the world, but those you have given me. I made your name known to them, so your love for me may be in them. In Leviticus 16 the Lord told Moses of a sacraficial Day of Atonement for forgiveness of sin. John the Baptist (Jn 1:29) saw Jesus coming towards him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!". Jesus (Jn. 2:19) answered Jews in the temple "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." Jesus said, "You will always have the poor, but you will not always have me." Jn. 12:8. Jesus went on to predict his death after triumphal entry to Jerusalem. Gethsemane / Before Sanhedrin / Pilate / Crucifixion Matthew 26-27, John 16-19. When Jesus had finished praying for his disciples, he crossed the Kidron valley to the garden of Gethsemane . Judas guided a detachment of soldiers and officials from the chief priests to Jesus. Peter cut off the right ear of a chief priest’s servant. Jesus commanded Peter to put away his sword. The soldiers arrested Jesus and took him first to Annas, the father in law of Caiaphas, the High Priest and then to Caiaphas himself. Jesus was transferred to Pilate. After questioning Jesus if he was the King of the Jews, Jesus would state that those were Pilate’s words and his Kingdom was not of this world. Frustrated, Pilate had Jesus flogged, and again questioned him. Finding nothing wrong, Pilate left the decision of his fate to the Jews, who insisted Jesus be crucified for claiming he was the Son of God. Pilate approved the crucifixion and Roman soldiers took charge of Jesus. Fulfilling OT scripture (Psalms 22) soldiers cast lots for his clothing and did not break his legs. (which was the custom) Women were last at the cross. Jesus, a compassionate Son, turned care of his mother to his disciple, John. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, (the man who had visited Jesus by night early in His ministry) wrapped the body of Jesus in spices and new linen, burying his body in a new garden tomb. Jesus’ death confronts us with God’s way of life. The sacrifice God the Father and His son Jesus Christ made on the cross shows Jesus’ commitment to His calling and his love for mankind. One can only stand at the foot of the cross and survey in awe God’s love and forgiveness for the world and the sins of mankind. Christ fulfilled John 15:13; greater love has no one than this, to lay down his life for his friends. Christ had substituted his blood for the atonement sacrifice of the OT. His breaking bread as his body and the cup as the blood of the new covenant poured out for many in the Upper Room reminds us of his sacrifice and our salvation is through Him. The Risen Christ, Garden Tomb – Stone Rolled Back – Resurrection – Confession of Disciples – Jesus curios - He is Lord Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21 The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee saw where the body was laid, and then went home to prepare spices and perfumes. After resting on the Sabbath, early on the first day of the week while it was still dark, the women returned to the tomb with spices. Mary Magdalene saw that the stone had been removed. She stood outside the tomb crying when a man whom she thought was the gardener approached and asked, "Who is it you are looking for?" She explained she couldn’t find the body of Jesus. Jesus caught her eye and said "Mary", she turned and cried out "Rabboni!". Women were first at Jesus’ birth, last at the foot of the cross, and first at the empty tomb. The disciples were together and the door was locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here…stop doubting and believe" Thomas said, ‘My Lord and My God.’ He appeared to them over a forty-day period and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion he gave them a command, "Do not leave Jerusalem….you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit." John 20 concludes with Jesus appearing to Thomas. The other disciples had told Thomas, we have seen the Lord; but, Thomas missing the Risen Christ’s first appearance to the disciples states "unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were…I will not believe". A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples and Thomas was there. Jesus told him to stop doubting…Thomas answered "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said, "because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed". The confession of the disciples became that of the early church;
Mt. Olives - Ascension – Acts 1:1-9 Power of Holy Spirit When the day of Pentecost came….all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1-4 He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They (the remaining 11 disciples) joined together constantly in prayer along with the women, Mary mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In the forty days between Jesus’ death and ascension, his half brothers, James and Jude were converted. (Acts 1:14). James would become head of the church of believers in Jerusalem (Acts. 15). As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit filled believers on Pentecost. The word Pentecost is derived from the Greek for the "fiftieth day". It was the fiftieth day after Passover. Jesus had been crucified during Passover. Now the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22 or Deut. 16:9-11) also referred to Feast of Harvest or the Day of First fruits was at hand. It was one of the five "Pilgrimage" festivals when God fearing Jews from all nations ( see Acts 2:5-13) would come to Jerusalem. Peter encountered them filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit empowered followers to transmit the faith.
REFLECTIONS Let us call on the power of the Holy Spirit today to accomplish God’s work in His world. Christ led no armies (as Alexander or Caesar); yet hundreds of millions follow Him today. Christ built no structures or Temples (as Solomon or Herod); yet today His followers attempt to be "Christ like" and pattern their daily living after His teachings. Christ had not traveled more than a few hundred miles in any direction from his birth, yet his word is proclaimed to the corners of the earth today. Time on calendars is measured BC and AD noting his birth and death. God’s kingdom on earth can be seen through the lens of His life, death, and resurrection. The cross has always created awe in me. The gap between my human life and its frailties and Christ is huge. I take comfort in Peter. He denied the Lord three times in the courtyard during His trial. Yet the Risen Christ reinstated Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Peter first left his nets to follow Jesus three years earlier. In John 21:15ff the reinstatement story is told as Jesus commands Peter to "feed my sheep". The story of the resurrection is one of return to life. Peter returned to life with Jesus as Lord and led the early church. Christ asks no more or less of His disciples today. He calls: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Follow me and feed my sheep." |
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