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Study No.18 : Jesus Tempted (1) : Luke 4:1-8

A. Find Out:    

     

1. How did Jesus end up in the desert? v.1

2. What did he do there? v.2

3. What did the devil first tempt him to do? v.3

4. How did Jesus respond? v.4

5. What was the devil's second temptation? v.5-7

6. How did Jesus respond? v.8

 

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Luke includes verse 1?

2. How does Satan play on Jesus' humanity?

3. How does Jesus deal with these temptations?

C. Comment:

     The first thing to note here is that Jesus is moving under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. We have to constantly struggle with the concept that Jesus is both man and God. When he is referred to as being full of the Holy Spirit, that is actually a reminder that he is a man, with all the limitations of a man. Thus when he goes into the desert and fasts, he is hungry, and that hunger makes him vulnerable. Food is his primary need as a man after this period of fasting, and it on that that Satan plays in his first temptation.

     Go on, says Satan to him, why don't you use the power that you have to satisfy your personal needs. Use the God side of you to meet the needs of the man side of you. It's then as if Jesus almost laughs at him, for what he is saying is, you really don't understand do you, man doesn't live on material food, but spiritual also, and I've got plenty of that!

     OK, says Satan, but you're feeling rather weak, and I've seen you in your weakness wondering about your ability to achieve what you've been sent to do. You're coming into my world, where the people have given themselves over to me through their sin. If you like, I could help you out. I could give you them if you'll only acknowledge my power and greatness. Jesus laughs, get it in perspective! This is God's world and we worship and serve him only! Get real!

 

D. Application:

1. Temptation - Needs

•   Am I tempted to put my needs before God's will and purpose? Can I believe that God WILL provide all I need?

2. Temptation - Short Cuts

•   Am I tempted to take short cuts and use the world's means? Can I trust God to enable me to achieve His goals in His way?

Study No.19 : Jesus Tempted (2) : Luke 4:9-13

   

A. Find Out:

         

1. What does Satan next do as a third temptation? v.9

2. How does he justify it? v.10,11

3. How does Jesus deal with this? v.12

4. What then happened? v.13

 

B. Think:

1. What do you think is at the heart of the 3 rd temptation?

2. How is temptation and vulnerability linked?

3. How important is understanding of Scripture shown to be?

C. Comment:

     There are really three elements to Satan's third temptation: 1) Use your power to achieve your ends. 2) Do the spectacular to win people over. 3) Prove that God really cares for you and will look after you. All three of them are self-centred. You and your power.    Win people over to you.   Prove God cares for you.   Temptations always focus on self, always make us consider ourselves, our needs, our activity.  Be aware!

     It's probably the last of those three suggestions that is the one that touches us as vulnerable, fallen human beings. The need to know we are loved and cared for, that God is for us. That is so often Satan's point of attack. He challenges the truth continually, just like he did back in the Garden (Genesis 3:1). More than that, he challenges us at our point of vulnerability, the place where we are weak, whether it be in habit or in belief.  At that point he comes with doubt and challenge.

     So how did Jesus counter each of these temptations? By reference to Scripture. But then Satan also quoted Scripture, which makes us realise how important it is to have a wide understanding of the whole scope of Scripture and of God's will.

     Cults (and others) use proof text, verses snatched out of context and used for their own reasons. That is what Satan actually did here. Jesus puts it back into the wider understanding. What are his answers: God has made man to be need more than just material provisions, the world belongs to the Lord so worship Him, and God is Holy, so don't push Him!  Revere him.

 

D. Application:

1. Vulnerability?

•   Am I aware of my weak areas, my points of vulnerability? Am I more careful in those areas?

2. Wider Awareness

•  Am I seeking to have a wide understanding of Scripture? Am I seeking to study and learn?

  

Study No.20 : In the Nazareth Synagogue : Luke 4:14-21

A. Find Out:

           

1. What did Jesus next do with what result? v.14

2. What did he specifically do, where, and with what result? v.15

3. What even more specifically did he do where? v.16

4. What was given him and to do what? v.17

5. What did the passage say? v.18,19

6. What did Jesus say about that? v.21

 

B. Think:

1. How did Jesus obviously start him ministry?

2. What impact was he having?

3. What was he now claiming?

C. Comment:

     The start of this passage is like a modern day aerial TV camera zooming in on its target. First of all we're told very generally that Jesus went up into Galilee, teaching in the synagogues. Then we zoom down on the particular town of Nazareth and onto the synagogue in that town.   We enter the building to see the events unfolding there.

     The same thing now happens in the synagogue. Generally it was the custom to invite a well known figure to read and speak. This morning they choose Jesus. A scroll for the time of the year is handed over. It is an Isaiah scroll, at least part of Isaiah that contains chapter 61.  Jesus unrolls the scroll until he gets to the beginning of this passage and then reads out those particular words.  Having read it standing up, he rolls it up and hands it back and then sits down. Teachers sat down to teach, so everyone sits expectantly. He simply says to them that that prophecy was being fulfilled that very moment.   What a declaration!

     Let's look at it more carefully. It is a messianic prophecy, accepted as such by the scribes of the day. It speaks about the one who would come from God to declare the year of God's blessing that would result in blessing for the poor, release for those who are prisoners and oppressed, and sight for the blind. This, Luke is saying to us, is the work and ministry of Jesus. This Jesus declares of himself.    What testimony!

 

D. Application:

1. The nature of Jesus' ministry.

•   Have we taken in the nature of the ministry of Jesus - to reach to the poor and needy and bring release. Am I aware of those in my area that fit the descriptions in this prophecy?

2. The call to ministry.

•   Do I realise that that same ministry continues today – using us. Am I aware that Jesus wants to bring release to others through ME?

Study No.21 : First Rejection : Luke 4:22-30

A. Find Out:

         

1. What response did Jesus get to how he had been speaking? v.22

2. What did he suppose them saying? v.23

3. What principle did he declare? v.24

4. Whose situations did he cite as examples? v.25-27

5. How did the people respond to this? v.28

6. What did they go to do but what happened? v.29,30

 

B. Think:

1. What was the first difficulty the people had with Jesus?

2. How did Jesus interpret that?

3. What was their second problem with him?

C. Comment:

     We now encounter the first rejection that Jesus encountered in his ministry. He has obviously been doing and saying things in the area already (v.14,23) that has had people talking.   Now, in the synagogue, he takes a Messianic prophecy and applies it to himself.   The response in the people is twofold.  First they spoke well of him because of the good way he spoke, but then they found themselves questioning, because they knew him and didn't expect a carpenter's son to have such clarity or wisdom in speaking.   But that is as far as they go – so far!

     Jesus is a bringer and speaker of truth and he knows exactly what they are saying – OK, if you're this coming One, do here what we hear you've been doing elsewhere. It's not the questioning of belief but of unbelief, and Jesus confront them head on with this. Realise, he says, that no prophet is accepted at home where he is known. Elijah had no response from his people in Israel in his time and in the following years, although there were many lepers in Israel, it was only the foreigner Naaman who was healed. Implication: Israel have always suffered from unbelief, even when there were prophets of God there. It's no different now, is what he is implying.

    It is that which upsets the religious people (in the synagogue!),  the challenge to their religiosity! They go to abuse him by throwing him down a hill, at least as an act of total rejection, if not to harm him.  He simply walks out though them in an exhibition of divine power and they are left standing and wondering.

 

D. Application:

1. Rejection?

•   Does Jesus really find faith in the Christian community today? Does he find a faith response in me to his word?

2. Challenged?

•   Do we find his words too challenging and do we want to reject them? Do we find the teaching of the Gospels too much?  Don't answer too hastily, there is some serious teaching coming up in later chapters!

Study No.22 : Amazed People : Luke 4:31-37

A. Find Out:

           

1. Where did Jesus next go to do what, when? v.31

2. What was the response and why? v.32

3. Who did Jesus encounter, where? v.33

4. How did he acclaim Jesus? v.34

5. How did Jesus deal with him? v.35

6. Why were the people amazed? v.35

 

B. Think:

1. What was the first cause of people's amazement?

2. What was the second cause of their amazement?

3. What does a demoniac in the synagogue say?

C. Comment:

     From one synagogue to another.  Jesus first goes to the religious people it seems, people who should already have a relationship with the Lord. Yet consider the STATE OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY.

      First they normally had only waffly teaching.   Second, they didn't know the powerful presence of God in their midst. Third, a demoniac could come in and be unchallenged! This speaks of powerless, impotent religion that does no one any good!

      So then Jesus comes.  First of all they are amazed by the clarity and authority of his teaching. Then when he delivers the demoniac, they are amazed at his power and authority. Jesus is moving in a completely different dimension to all they know. The state of the ‘church' of the land was not in a good position.

     Remember, Luke has been heralding Jesus, showing us who he is. Here he is seen as one who has a clear grasp of the truth and who moves in power and generally has an authority above anything known in Israel at that time.  His words and actions testify to him, but then so do the words of the demon. The people may not realise who he is but the powers of darkness do.  The demon cannot but help blurt out the truth; this is the Holy One of God!

 

D. Application:

1. An authoritative church?

•  How clear with the truth are we? Are we those who can speak the word with authority because the word has first gripped us?

2. A powerful church?

•   Do we know the power of God moving in and through us? Would we be surprised to see deliverance ministry?

Study No.23 : Healings & Deliverance  : Luke 4:38-41

A. Find Out:

          

1. To where did Jesus go next and who was there? v.38

2. What did Jesus do about her? v.39

3. Who came to Jesus at the end of the day? v.40a

4. What did he do with them? v.40b

5. What also was happening? v.41a

6. What were they declaring? v.41b

 

B. Think:

1. What did the incident of Peter's mother-in-law show?

2. What does the extent of verse 40 indicate?

3. What again, did the powers of darkness know?

C. Comment:

     Not only in synagogues, but in homes. Jesus is not restricted to working among religious people.  Next Luke shows us how Jesus went home with Peter and found Peter's mother-in-law ill. Previously he had rebuked a demon; now he rebukes and illness, and the result is the same, the person is freed. Luke is showing us that the Isaiah prophecy (4:18) is being fulfilled. Two captives have just been set free – one from a demon, the other from a sickness. They had both been prisoners! Now they are free!

     But then Luke takes us on a stage. Up until now he has just shown us Jesus ministering to individuals. Now he shows us Jesus ministering to crowds of people. The indication is that many people came needing to be healed and that he healed them ALL.

     In some the sickness seems to have been linked to the demonic and whenever the demons encountered Jesus they acknowledged who he was – the Son of God. People don't get demon possessed unless they have gone far from God and far towards the things of darkness. The implication is that the state of Israel was spiritually very low at that time.

     The actions declare even more who this is that Luke is writing about. Who else can come into this sort of environment, teach with authority, heal the sick and cast out demons like this?  Only God's Son.

 

D. Application:

1. Our spiritual state?

•   What is the spiritual state of our land like? Face the truth - morally bankrupt and seeped with the occult. Pray for our country.

2. The depth of need

•   What does our nation need? A return to God. Nothing less.   Pray for it.

Study No.24 : Purpose Proclaimed :  Luke 4:42-44

A. Find Out:

          

1. Where did Jesus go, when? v.42a

2. Who cam wanting to do what? v.42b

3. What did Jesus say he must do and why? v.43

4. So what did he do? v.44

 

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Jesus went out alone? (see Mk 1:35)

2. Why do you think the people wanted him to stay?

3. What do you think the “good news of the kingdom” means?

C. Comment:

     Jesus had had a heavy evening's ministry, so next morning he gets up and goes out to commune with his Father and have his batteries recharged in prayer. It's a good example to follow. Note that he needed space and peace and quiet to meet with his Father, free from distractions.

     But then the disciples come looking for him and tell him that the people of the town want him to stay. That is very natural for they have received the blessing of heaven through the previous day's ministry. But what they have received must not be contained there.  Jesus declares that he must go and preach in the other towns as well.

     The content of his message? That the kingdom of God has come. This is the first reference in this Gospel to the kingdom so we should pause and note it. What does it mean? It means the rule of God from heaven now expressed on earth. That is what Jesus is doing. He is expressing the rule or executed purpose of God on earth. And what is that? Bringing people back into a place of blessing with God.

      The truth has been proclaimed and then been put into practice in a practical way: the sick have been healed and demon possessed people been released. This is God's will to bring the goodness of God to all who will come. Yes, Jesus did this for any and all who came to him. There does need that coming to God through Jesus, that acknowledgement that Jesus has the answer. The crowds had done that the night before and people still need to do it today. Come to Jesus – he has and is the answer!

 

D. Application:

1. The kingdom of God?

•  Do we see that the kingdom is more than words? (1 Cor 4:20) Do we know Jesus' power in our lives and service?

2. A Message to be shared

•   Do we see that this message needs to be shared? Do we see it is the answer to the confused and hurting lives around us?

RECAP No.4  "Temptation & start of Ministry"  Luke 4

SUMMARY :  

      

In this fourth group of 7 studies we have seen :

- Jesus being tempted in the wilderness

- Satan playing on his weakness

- Jesus overcoming by a sure knowledge of God's will.

- Jesus declaration in the synagogue in Nazareth

- His rejection by that synagogue

- Delivering a demoniac in the Capernaum synagogue

- Healing Peter's mother in law

- Healing crowds and delivering many

- Declaring his intention to preach the kingdom

 

COMMENT :

     Luke now moves us on to see the opening up of Jesus' ministry. First though had to come the battle in the wilderness against Satan. Jesus comes out of this victorious and in the power of the Spirit. He declares himself in the home town synagogue and is rejected. He moves up to the synagogue in Capernaum where he encounters another emissary of Satan and casts him out. He moves against sickness and illness and, wherever they are involved, against demons. This is the coming of the kingdom or rule of God, casting out darkness and the fruit of darkness.

 

LESSONS?

1. We need to guard against our areas of vulnerability.

2. We need to clearly know the will of God as revealed in His word.

3. Jesus' ministry is to set captives free. It is also ours.

4. Familiarity may breed contempt but it also breeds unbelief.

5. Jesus' ministry is both word and power. So is ours.

6. The kingdom of God is about God's rule coming on earth.

 

PRAY :

    Ask the Lord to draw you close to Him for Him to impart both truth and power into your serving.

 

PART 4 : "A Spectrum of Ministry"

     In the next chapters we'll see Jesus calling Peter through a power miracle, then healing a leper and a paralytic, and then calling Levi. A variety of questions are raised. Watch for them.