Week 11: GOD AMONG US
August 4-10
This week’s memory verses:
John 1:1,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This week’s Scripture Readings:
John 1:1-19 – The Word Became Flesh
Luke 1:1-80 – Gabriel’s Message
Luke 2:1-40 – The Birth of Jesus
Luke 3:1-20 – John the Baptist
Matthew 3:13-4:17 – Baptism and Temptation
Day 1
The Word Became Flesh – John 1:1-19
The Gospel of John, probably the last of the gospels to be written, has a much different focus than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often referred to as the “synoptic gospels” (Greek, Sunoptikos – “seeing all together”) because of their use of many similar stories, sequences, and events in the life of Jesus. For example, these three gospels focus on Jesus’s birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, and his use of parables in teaching. These three also portray the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus’ eventual ascension. None of these events are portrayed in the Gospel of John. Instead, John’s focus is not so much on what Jesus did, but who He was. John is trying to show that Jesus is God, was with God, and has now been sent from God into a sinful world in order to redeem creation – and all of this is written so that those who read this gospel may believe in Him (John 20:31). John’s primary way of demonstrating this truth is by showing seven miracles that Jesus performed (six of these are not included in the other gospels), seven “I AM” statements that Jesus makes about himself (these statements were not included in the other 3 gospels), and several other witnesses who testify about who Jesus is and what he has done.
In this first chapter, four of these witnesses speak, but it comes after John gives us some deep, theological statements. John begins his gospel by making it known that Jesus, the Word, was God and was with God before creation began. This Word was light and life. Yet, this Word was rejected and darkness and death threatened creation. Thus, the word became flesh and dwelt among us and the glory of God was revealed to that fallen creation. For those that received the Word, they became children of God – not out of effort or achievement, but because of the grace of God in sending the Word. These truths are further illustrated in the four testimonies that follow. John the Baptist, beginning in verse 19, testifies that Jesus is eternal, and is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Andrew testifies that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. Philip testifies that Jesus is the one the Old Testament prophecies were about. Nathaniel testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and the true king of Israel. Now, as evidenced by the testimony of these four witnesses, the glory of God was being revealed through the Son of God, the Word, the Messiah – Jesus, who would take away the sins of the world.
Day 2
Gabriel’s Message – Luke 1:1-80
Unlike the other writers of the gospels, Luke was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’ life. Instead, Luke was a contemporary, and good friend, to Paul. It is quite possible that his relationship to Paul brought Luke into contact with many of those who had seen, experienced, and written about the life of Jesus. Luke uses these connections to take an ordered, organized, and scholarly approach in writing his own gospel – in order to show the truth about the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. In the first four verses of chapter 1, Luke makes his effort to find the truth clear. Luke addresses his work to Theophilus, a man that not much is known about. Yet, we do get a few clues to who this Theophilus is from the way Luke writes to him. First, from the way Luke addresses Theophilus (“most excellent”), it seems that Theophilus was someone with a great deal of social status. Next, Luke’s efforts to craft this well-researched approach so that Theophilus can have “certainty concerning the things you’ve been taught,” shows that Theophilus may have been a new believer, or at the very least, an interested unbeliever. Nevertheless, Luke’s seriousness in finding the truth about Jesus would have been a great help to this Theophilus, and its certainly a great help to those who read his account today.
In the 80 verses of chapter 1 (longer than 7 entire books of the New Testament!), several important events and themes come to light. First, we see Gabriel appear to Zechariah. Zechariah was a priest from the line of Aaron. We find him in the temple, alone, offering incense and prayers to the Lord. It seems Zechariah, and his wife Elizabeth, are childless. Not only would this have been a source of potential financial issues, as these two would have no one to care for them in their old age, but it would have also been a difficult reality to deal with among friends and family. Yet, Gabriel appears and tells Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, is with child. This child would eventually be John the Baptist, the forerunner for the Messiah. Zechariah’s initial response is to doubt and this leads him to be made mute until the prophecy is fulfilled. Gabriel then delivers an even more miraculous announcement to Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary. Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive a son, Jesus, and he will be the promised Messiah that will rule and reign forever. Mary wonders how (not if!) this will happen since she is a virgin. Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will cause the conception to occur and offers the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth as evidence of God’s faithfulness and ability. This, of course, causes Mary to quickly go and visit Elizabeth. These two women are overjoyed at the faithfulness of the Lord and begin to praise God for his love and care. Mary’s song (vs.46-55) refers to God as a savior, quotes many Old Testament passages, and thanks the Lord for his faithfulness, ability, and protection. Eventually, Elizabeth gives birth, the boy is named John, Zechariah’s speech is restored, and Zechariah, with the help of the Holy Spirit, prophesies about John and Jesus’ roles in God’s plan of redemption. The chapter ends with John, soon to be John the Baptist, growing in strength and favor with the Lord. From divine announcements to the fulfillment of prophecy (and the praise and joy found in between), this chapter is a reminder at just how amazing God’s plans of salvation truly is. It’s also an invitation to, like Mary and Elizabeth, respond in faith to all the miraculous ways God may be working in each of our lives. Our response may be to doubt, like Zechariah. But look at all the impossible things made possible here – and trust that God is still faithful and able to do abundantly more than we could ask or think.
Day 3
The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-40
Following the birth of John the Baptist in the previous chapter, chapter 2 picks up with the fulfillment of the other divinely announced birth – the birth of Jesus. During the reign of Caesar Augustus, and in response to a census he ordered, Joseph and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem to be counted. While in Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to Jesus, wraps him in swaddling clothes (literally torn pieces of cloth), and laid him in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). Nearby, angels appeared to shepherd out with their flock and revealed that the Messiah had been born. The shepherds immediately seek out Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Upon finding them, they rejoice and share everything they had seen and heard with anyone they come into contact with. Eight days later, Joseph and Mary present Jesus at the temple for his naming, circumcision, and purification offering. While at the temple, a righteous and devout man, Simeon, recognizes Jesus as the messiah and blesses the child. Anna, an elderly prophetess, is also in the temple during this time. She too rejoices at the sight of Jesus and points to Jesus as the way for all who are waiting for redemption. Upon finishing their duties at the temple, Joseph, Mary and Jesus return to Nazareth. In Nazareth, Jesus grows in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men. After twelve years, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, travel to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. When his parents depart for home, Jesus stays behind amazing the teachers at the temple with his knowledge and understanding. After realizing that Jesus was not in the group traveling home, Joseph and Mary return and find Jesus. As they relate their feelings of distress to Jesus, he responds that he was at his “Father’s house.” While they did not understand these things, it seems that Jesus does. He returns home with Joseph and Mary and continues his growth, both physically and spiritually.
In this chapter, you see many great truths about the Lord Jesus Christ. First and foremost, you see that the Lord Jesus humbled himself to enter into creation. Jesus was born, wrapped in torn cloth, and placed in a feeding trough because there was no other place available. There was no room in creation for its creator. Yet, he came. He came to perfectly obey the will of the Father and become the perfect sacrifice. There may have been no room in the inn, but his place was always the cross. That perfect obedience is seen early on. Whether it’s the purification offering or His teaching in the temple, Jesus is perfectly fulfilling the work the Father called him to. He obeyed for those shepherds. He obeyed for Simeon and Anna. He obeyed for those he taught in the temple. He obeyed so that all the world, even those who were yet to recognize the Messiah, could be redeemed. His love and humility know no bounds. Like Mary, we should treasure that truth. But, we should also live lives that reflect that same love and humility to those around us.
Day 4
John the Baptist – Luke 3:1-20
There are 3 main parts to this third chapter of Luke’s gospel. First, we see Luke, yet again, list the various regional rulers of the day. Luke has been including these historic facts and figures to tie the life of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ to real life events. This is no myth or story. These events are the real deal. John’s preaching is also the real deal. John, out in the wilderness surrounding the Jordan River, has begun preaching a message of repentance and forgiveness. John quotes Isaiah to identify himself as the voice that will prepare the way for the Lord. John also speaks directly to groups in the crowd that have come to hear his message. John speaks to the people in general, but more specifically to tax collectors and soldiers. To everyone, John makes clear that there is a need to live lives that reflect repentance (bear fruit), honesty, and integrity. John’s preaching is so compelling that many wonder if he is the messiah. John quickly corrects these claims and points to the one who comes after him, one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. As the chapter moves into its second part, we see that Jesus comes to be baptized by John. Upon his baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and a voice from heaven (God, the Father) says that He is well-pleased with his Son. Luke quickly moves into a genealogy of Jesus that occupies the third part of this chapter. Now, Luke’s genealogy is different from the one we find in Matthew’s gospel, as it traces Jesus all the way back to Adam (and to God).
Luke moves quickly through the events of chapter 3, but there are some big truths that we can’t overlook. First, John boldly preaches, even to the point of being imprisoned by Herod. John’s preaching was a direct fulfillment of several Old Testament prophesies concerning the forerunner of the Messiah. Next, Jesus did not get baptized because he needed to repent or be cleansed of sins. Instead, Jesus is baptized to identify Himself with sinful man (something that pleases the Father). This is also why Luke includes a genealogy that traces Jesus all the way back to Adam. Luke wants to make it clear that this Messiah is for all mankind. The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the divine approval seen at Jesus baptism, and Jesus’ willingness to identify with mankind – all of mankind – are amazing truths. Ultimately, Jesus’ actions on the cross will do the same. Jesus will fulfill Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah. Jesus will have a Father who is well pleased, even when He must turn His face away. Jesus will identify with man’s sinfulness on the cross. He will do all these things for all of mankind, any who believes can call upon the name of this Lord, the one who is the way.
Day 5
Baptism and Temptation – Matthew 3:13-4:17
In chapter 3, we have Matthew’s perspective of John’s ministry and the baptism of Jesus. While many of the details are the same as what we have already studied, there are a few extra details here in Matthew. For example, we get a few more details concerning John’s appearance (camel’s hair and leather belt – a description that matches the prophet Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8), his overall message (repent, the Messiah has come), and John’s interactions with Jesus (John realized Jesus had nothing to repent of and that He should be doing the baptizing). Between Luke 3 and Matthew 3, we get a nice, well-rounded look at John’s ministry and Jesus’ baptism.
Matthew quickly moves on from that ministry and baptism (confirmation) to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (confrontation). Chapter 3 left us with the Holy Spirit resting on Jesus – God the Father loves God the Son and shows that through the Holy Spirit. Chapter 4 begins with that same Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to face temptation. This may seem strange to us. It almost seems as if the Holy Spirit is causing this temptation. However, what is really being communicated, is the Holy Spirit telling Jesus that it is time to “get to work.” It is time for Jesus’ earthly ministry to begin. Part of that ministry is to show that this Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, is going to remain completely sinless in the face of temptation. Jesus is tempted by Satan, the adversary, 3 different times. In each of these temptations, the devil is essentially trying to get Jesus to do something that is “right,” but is done in the wrong way at the wrong time. If God has promised all of these wonderful things to Jesus, why not bring them into fruition now? The main way that the devil tries to convince Jesus of these things is by twisting the words of God – the same trick he used in the garden. Yet, Jesus will not be tempted. Jesus uses the scriptures, and His trust in the Father to stay true to God’s call. Jesus sends the devil away and angels come to tend to Jesus. After this temptation scene, and upon hearing of John’s arrest, Jesus moves into the fishing village of Capernaum. For years, Capernaum was seen as a “dark” land because of its distance from Jerusalem and closeness to the surrounding Gentile nations. Yet, this dark land would be the first stop in Jesus’ ministry (Isaiah 9:1-2). Matthew then describes Jesus’ calling of 4 men as His disciples – Peter, Andrew, James, and John. With these 4 disciples following closely, Matthew tells us how Jesus begins preaching, teaching, and performing many miracles. These actions by Jesus draw huge crowds and set the scene for His “sermon on the Mount” that will begin in Matthew 5.
From His temptation in the wilderness, to calling His first disciples and beginning His healing ministry, we see the Messiah has truly come. We, as the reader, are starting to understand what this Jesus came to do. Jesus is going to defeat the devil and the sin he brought into this world through his deception. This won’t be three temptations in the wilderness, but instead will include 3 crosses on a skull-shaped hill. On that skull shaped-hill, between two criminals, Jesus will die. At that time, the devil will not simply flee from Jesus. Instead, sin, death, hell, and the adversary will be crushed and overcome forever. Jesus will be the way that John spoke of and pointed to. Jesus will be the savior all these people are looking for. But, is he what you’re looking for? Like those disciples, are you willing to put everything about you – your identity, your work, your family – in the hands of this Jesus? Or, like all those drawn by the miracles, are you content to be around Jesus – hoping He can do something for you, but not really ready to follow? Who is this Jesus to you?