Study 10. Luke 4:18-44

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1. Summarize the message Jesus announced in 4:18-21.
  "I am the one Scripture talks about who will bring riches, freedom and sight to the world." Jesus will allude to these core aspects of His ministry again in Lk 7:22.
Luke puts this sermon as his first description of Jesus' ministry and highlights the pattern that is to follow:
  • the response of wonder at His teachings coupled with persistent unbelief and rejection (vv. 22, 28) 
  • His ministry as the fulfillment of Scripture (v. 21)
  • His concern for the poor and oppressed (vv. 18, 19); 
  • His ultimate aim of including Gentiles among the people of God (vv. 26, 27).
 
2. In what sense was Isaiah 61:1-2 "fulfilled" in the hearing of Jesus' audience (Luke 4:21)
Prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Jesus. He proclaims his identity as Messiah and inaugurates the ultimate Jubilee  (Lev 25:8-54)
It was fulfilled 'today' - no longer in the future.

 
3. a. Who did the Nazarenes think Jesus was? Who was He really (1:35, 2:22, 4:3, 4:22)?
They thought ht was the 'son of Joseph'. They knew and was familiar with him - the 'local boy made good'. They had expectations of Him. He 'owed' them the same miracles He had performed in Capernaum (v.24). Familarity blinded them to His true identity as the Son of God. Familarity also made them unable to hear the voice of God through Him (v.24) 
"Luke speaks of astonishment, not admiration or appreciation. They wondered at his preaching, but they did not take it to heart" (Morris)

 
    b. Why was the Nazarenes' error critical in the light of the proclamation in 4:18-21?
 They rejected Him as Messiah. Jesus is never recorded as returning to Nazareth after this. "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him."(Jn 1:11)

4. Jesus deliberately reminded the Nazarenes that He had been healing other people and that God had frequently blessed the scorned Gentiles. What did He want them - and us - to understand about God and His kingdom?
 God does not neglect people who are not of His chosen race. He sovereignly chooses those He will interact with and bless. We must look out for those who are not of our own race and culture.
 
 
5. How would you describe Jesus' character from 4:14-30 (especially 4:21, 23-27, 30)?
 Uncompromising with the truth even to those who were familiar with Him. Brave with risky teaching. Self-assured. In command.
The people tried to put Jesus into the position Satan had suggested. But he did not let them. (Morris)


6. What did Jesus' spoken word accomplish in 4:32, 35, 39?
Astonishment, deliverance, healing
 
7. Why were people amazed at Jesus' teaching (see 4:32, compare Mk 1:22)?
 It was original. 
It was filled with power (cf. Jn 7:46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!")
 
8. Compare Jesus' word of preaching in Like 4:18-21 to His word of power in 4:31-41. How were teaching and action related?
 Action authenticated the teaching. (cf. Ac 2:22)
 
 9.Jesus said His ministry was to "proclaim the good news [euangelizethai] of the kingdom of God" (4:34). What do you learn about the kingdom from 4:14-41?
  • It is powerful (v.14)
  • It reverses the ways of the world 
  • It is truth (v.15, 31)
  • It brings healing and deliverance (v.18-19, v.39-40) even on the Sabbath. Luke mentions a 'high fever' in Smon's mother in law - a medical term.
  • It is for all - Jews and Gentiles (v.24-27)
  • It overcomes the power of darkness (v.33-37, 41). There is an alliusion to the 'Messianic secret', "He..would not allow them to speak, because". The demons knew Jesus more truly than the people.


For thought and discussion:
According to Luke 11:20, what did Jesus' authority over demons prove?

His identity as one who inaugurated the kingdom of God.

 The kingdom of God is the rule of God over his people in his creation, established through his Messiah in the new covenant, which is now present in the world, though it is awaiting its fulfillment at the second coming of Christ.
"God’s reign through God’s people over God’s place."
There is a universal and localized rule. There is a present and future rule.
Christ’s kingdom is built on grace and advances with compassion. In this kingdom, the throne is a cross and the King reigns with self-giving love.
 
The passage teaches us:
1. To recognise Jesus' work and person in the familiar not just the new.
2. To open our hearts to the breadth of God's work in people who are different from us, and not to resent His sovereign choices because of a misplaced sense of entitlement.

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