This year we are covering the four Gospel Accounts together in chronological order.
During January we covered the events from the Gospel Accounts that occurred prior to Jesus' conception. This involved John 1:1-5, Matthew 1:1-15, and Luke 1:1-79.
During February we covered the events from Jesus' conception through childhood. This involved Matthew 1:16-25, Matthew 2:1-23, and Luke 1:80; 2:1-52.
This month we covered the events immediately preceding Jesus' Public Ministry. This involved Matthew 3:1-17; 4:1-11, Mark 1:1-13, John 1:6-51; 2:1-25, and Luke 3:1-17, 21-38; 4:1-13.
Here is the summary:
JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist was sent to bear witness to Jesus...to facilitate Jesus' purpose and progress. Jesus could not have facilitated His own purpose and progress.
John the Baptist preached repentance with baptism in the wilderness. He was the spiritual Elijah that began the kingdom of heaven once he got the specific call from God to begin this ministry prophesied by Isaiah. He blatantly stated the one that came after him would be greater and baptize in the Holy Spirit.
He confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees about their lack of belief and stated God's measure for the individual was whether the person chose to bring forth good fruit. He stated Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John the Baptist sorted through the issues of life so well, people wondered if he was the Christ. The Pharisees sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him if he was Elijah or a prophet. He denied being Elijah or a prophet, but instead quoted Isaiah 40:3...which alluded to him being "Elijah" and a prophet.
John the Baptist could NOT state he was "Elijah" and a prophet even when he was asked direct close-ended questions because it would have been a Wrong HOW/WHY. He would have been speaking for his own benefit and facilitating his own purpose and progress. He testified the Jesus was the Messiah. The Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
JESUS
Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. John protested because he didn't understand. Jesus told him to allow it for the moment so that they could fulfill all righteousness...so that Jesus didn't facilitate His own purpose and progress. John the Baptist allowed it for the moment and baptized Jesus.
God the Father and John the Baptist facilitated Jesus' purpose and progress by declaring Jesus a Semikah Rabbi...which officially began Jesus' earthly Ministry...
Jesus' first act during His Ministry was to be led by the Holy Spirit into the desert in order to be tempted of the devil. Jesus fasted forty days in order to purify Himself and be weak enough to find out the areas in which He could fall.
Jesus successfully responded to all three of the devil's temptations by quoting God's Word.
DISCIPLES
John the Baptist blatantly stated that Jesus is the Son of God. Two of John the Baptist's disciples (Andrew and John) followed Jesus. Andrew recruited Peter and Jesus recruited Philip...who then recruited Nathanael. John may have recruited James at this same time.
Jesus' administrated His first miracle because He had yet to begin His PUBLIC Ministry.
PUBLIC MINISTRY
Jesus began His Public Ministry in Jerusalem during passover when He cleared the temple of those who were making money at the expense of others. He did signs in Jerusalem during the first passover of His Public Ministry and many believed on His name. Jesus was about thirty years old when He began His Public Ministry.
CONCLUSION
Matthew 3:1-17; 4:1-11, Mark 1:1-13, John 1:6-51; 2:1-25, and Luke 3:1-17, 21-38; 4:1-13 covered the events immediately preceding Jesus' Public Ministry.
Next month, we will cover the beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry...
Next Post
No comments:
Post a Comment