A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF LUKE

Out on Your Own

Luke 4 SCC 3/6/16

EXPECT ONES COMMITMENT TO GOD AND HIS WILL TO BE CHALLENGED

The temptations reveal Jesus’ approach to his mission at Baptism. Jesus is dedicated to God’s mission, not to his own purposes, desires, or self-advancement. HIs goal is not to draw attention to himself but to focus on God’s work and God’s truth.

Led and tempted

1-2 The fact that Jesus was both full of the HS and led by the HS exposing him to temptation was by God’s deliberate leading. His spiritual impulse was internal. He would not be a puppet of the crowds or his own ambition. The temptation occurred over the forty days. At the time of the final encounter Jesus was weakened after not eating for forty days. Interesting to compare Adam’s temptation with that of Jesus. Adam had not fasted at all, could eat from any tree of the garden but one, and was in paradise during the devil’s temptation. The devil makes his move with Jesus while he is vulnerable exposed and playing at a disadvantage. So Christ was led by the Spirit and yet tempted by the devil. So we can at the same time be led by the Spirit and tempted by the devil.

NB: Temptation can happen when we are most vulnerable. Adam got Eve. Jesus was hungry. You are angry and want revenge. Otherwise a sinful action or strategy is not alluring.

Take Care of Yourself

3-4 The first temptation the devil challenges the Father’s provision of and faithfulness to His Son. You can look out better for yourself than God can look out for you. Jesus answer reveals that he knew the devil’s attack on the goodness of his father had no merit. In essence, Jesus said he will rest on God’s sustenance given in God’s own way to him. He will not short circuit God’s path for him. He cites Deuteronomy 8:3 where Israel is called to fix on God’s faithfulness. His Father can be trusted to supply for him.

Seize power for yourself

5-8 Jesus had a view of all of the inhabited earth along with all earthly power being presented to him v 5. The temptation was ultimately about seizing power on one’s own apart from the Father’s promise to Him. Satan was suggesting that all the power, wealth, and glory the world could offer were there for Jesus’ taking v 6. Satan’s condition was that the Son renounce his allegiance to the Father v 7. Jesus was to give Satan the honor and respect due God alone. This challenge represents a defection. Bowing to Satan was accepting his authority and sovereignty. Jesus quotes scripture from Deuteronomy 6:13 that God alone is worthy of allegiance v 8. Satan’s temptation is an attempt to break the Son’s relationship to the father. Jesus will rule on earth but that authority comes from the Father not the devil.

Presume upon God

9-12 Jesus is at a height somewhere and if he were to cast himself down it would take special protection to deliver him unscathed v 9. Satan takes a new approach having been bested twice by scripture from Jesus Satan now invokes scripture from Psalm 91:11-12 in v 10-11. The argument is God will protect those who are his and if you are His Son you do not need to worry at all. Trust God and jump. Jesus refuses to be so presumptuous quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. Israel was not to presume upon God by complaining that they never should have left Egypt. Freedom and manna were not enough for them. Jesus is comparing the devil’s offer to such a test. God had proclaimed Jesus to be the Son at his baptism. Jesus will rest in that promise.

PT: In fact, this will be a continual temptation of sorts for Jesus, to abandon his mission of following God, from his family, the crowds, his enemies and even the disciples. Jesus loyalty to the father will be tested again and again.

13 It seems that these three temptations were all at the end of a string of temptations Jesus faced throughout his forty days in the wilderness. Jesus ministry will be loaded with demonic challenges. Satanic challenges will intensify and congeal pressuring Jesus to cave in—yet we see Jesus under this intense pressure successfully withstanding it.

NB: Jesus answered every temptation with Scripture (all from Deuteronomy). All His answers were general statements consistent with the author’s intended meaning—the most basic principle of interpretation. Jesus confronted Satan’s temptation with Scripture used in the context of the author’s intended meaning.

THE CHALLENGE TO ONES COMMITMENT MAY COME IN THE FORM OF REJECTION

The rejection reveals what Jesus’ mission is. Jesus will not use his power to serve himself but he will lift

up others and minister to both their physical and spiritual needs.

14-15 Jesus comes into the region of his hometown under the Spirit’s guidance. So the Spirit is present at the start of his ministry just as he is at the start of the church’s ministry Acts 2. The regions grapevine poured with news about Jesus and he takes to teaching in the synagogues which caused his initial fame.

Jesus has a mission

16-19 After making a point about Jesus going to Galilee Luke now zeros in to look at his message. Jesus initiates by getting up taking the scroll of Isaiah and begins reading v 16-17. He reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 and three ideas emerge: (1) Jesus is the bearer of the Spirit making him Gods messenger; (2) Jesus is an end times prophet declaring good news making his message from heaven; and (3) Jesus is bringing release and recovery to the needy making him a messiah v 18. The outcome and scope is a picture of forgiveness and salvation v 19.

Jesus gets attention

20-22 He has now gotten the crowds attention with all eyes fixed upon Him after his sweeping statement v 20. He declares that the time of fulfillment of Isaiah 61 is now v 21. Here is the dawn of a new era that progresses through the church age down to today. But with the hearing comes responsibility for a decision. And this decision is tied to Jesus and His mission. The crowd’s response is twofold: (1) they recognize Jesus rhetorical skill and gracious words and (2) they remember his ancestry trying to grasp how his heritage matches his claim v 22.

23-27 Jesus is asked to prove his claim v 23. His work at Capernaum had not gone unnoticed. But Jesus acknowledged his rejection by them is no different than the rejection of God’s prophets in the past v 24. However, rejecting a prophet is risky v 25. Israel had severe famine in Elijah’s day because of this. God directed his prophet to a gentile widow to provide for her instead of Israel v 26. Jesus reinforces this concept with Elisha’s cleansing of a gentile leper v 27. The point is that the consequence of rejecting Jesus may invoke God’s rejection of them yet again. Here is a hint of Jesus ministry expanding to gentiles.

28-30 The crowd knew their biblical history and got the point. The idea that a messiah would reach out to outsiders was unacceptable. They were so enraged they attempted to execute him. Amazing that he walks away from his second encounter with the edge of heights.

DETERMINE TO STICK TO GODS CALL UPON YOUR LIFE

31-32 As in Nazareth Jesus has come into the Capernaum synagogue to teach v 31. Jesus never treated the synagogue as he did the temple. The reaction is similar, they were astonished. The reason for the reaction is the authority of his words v 32. Jesus speaks for God with all of the attention directed to him.

Jesus rebukes a demon

33-35 Here is the first miracle of Jesus ministry in Luke. The spiritual rivalry continues v 33. Another confrontation incurs between Jesus and the forces of evil. Jesus’ presence leaves the spirit feeling opposed and threatened v 34. The spirit fear’s Jesus power. The demon senses the trouble he is in but believes Jesus will have to destroy the man to get to him. Jesus response is swift and powerful v 35. The demon departs and the man is unharmed. Jesus possesses command over the world of evil.

36-37 Again the crowd is amazed this time not with his message but with his mission v 36. The evil forces obey him. This action was so impressive the news about it circulated everywhere v 37. The word was out about Jesus soon after he had inaugurated his ministry.

Jesus heals many people

38-39 Peter’s mother in law lay ill in his house v 38. 1 Cor 9:5 also indicates Peter was married. Jesus arrives and standing over her rebukes her fever v 39. Instantaneously she rises and immediately serves.

40-41 Jesus continued his healing activity after the sun had gone down v 40. The scope of what Jesus does gets broader. He heals various diseases and exercises many demons. The world of spirits knows Jesus v 41. While rebuking them he also silences them. One step at a time Luke is presenting Jesus as Gods Son and demons are part of that confession. Later, Jesus will allow that confession to be public.

42-44 Jesus often retreated into lonely places or the wilderness v 42. The crowd still seeks him out to keep him around but he refuses since staying in one place is counter to his mission v 43. He must preach the kingdom of God, an eternal vantage point revealing God’s the way God thinks.

NB: Jesus call requires that he press on. As he does he will continue to demonstrate his authority enabling him to lay claim to people’s devotion and commitment. One only needs to respond to him.

SO WHAT?

1. Living out our commitment to God is done in hostile territory. Be prepared ahead of time for the hostility one will experience for living out the will of God.

2. That hostility may include alienation, threats, jeopardy, insults, or loneliness. That is to be expected in a hostile environment.

3. Be tenacious about fulfilling the call of God upon your life. Walk in manner worthy of your salvation and let the chips fall where they may.