THE GOSPEL OF LUKEGospel: The word “gospel” has several meanings.

It refers to the four books of the Bible which tell of the life of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

It also means truth or can refer to a type of religious music performed originally by black Americans.

Jesus’ Baptism.

When he was an adult, Jesus went to the River Jordan to be baptised by his distant cousin, John the Baptist.

When Jesus was baptised, a voice was heard saying “You are my son, whom I love: with you I am well pleased.”

The Holy Spirit appeared in the shape of a dove.

Copy into your jotter.

THE HOLY TRINITY

Christianity holds that God makes itself known in three ways or forms: God the Father - invisible,

indefinable, the Creator of all. God the Son - Jesus in his time as

the incarnation of God.(although Jesus is God, he is also the Son of God the Father, God in the shape of man)

God the Holy Spirit - after the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus ascended to Heaven, sending in his place the Holy Spirit which inspires Christians today.

Tasks – Answer in Sentences in your jotter.

1. What is the Holy Trinity?

2. When is God in the form of “God the Son”?

3. When is God in the form of “God the Holy Spirit”?

THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS

After his baptism, Jesus went into the desert to contemplate his future. Here we are told he was confronted by Satan.

First Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus famously replied “man cannot live by bread alone”,meaning that there is more to life than physical comfort and wellbeing.

Satan then tempts Jesus with power and wealth if Jesus will worship him. Jesus refuses to worship anyone but God. Jesus had no political or material ambitions.

Tasks – Answer in sentences in your jotter.

1. Where does Jesus go after his baptism? Why?

2. Why does Jesus refuse to turn stones into bread for Satan?

3. Why does Jesus not accept the power and wealth offered to him by Satan?

THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS CONT.Tasks – answer in

sentences in your jotter.

1. Why does Satan want Jesus to perform supernatural tricks?

Allegorical means that the characters and events in a story, play, poem or picture represent particular qualities or ideas, related to morality, religion or politics.

2. How could the story of Jesus’ temptations be described as allegorical?

Finally Satan goads Jesus into performing supernatural tricks (jumping from the top of the temple to prove that he would be unharmed) but Jesus refuses because it is not the purpose of God’s power merely to prove God’s existence.

This story is possibly allegorical. The meeting with Satan may never have taken place but Jesus could have opted for an easier path, riches, political power, marriage and children etc.

However, he knew that his destiny would deny him all of these things.