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Simply Jesus

The Life and Ministry of God’s Son

Lesson 4

Introduction During the second year of Jesus’ ministry, His popularity among the people grew along with His following, and so too the opposition seeking to turn the ever-increasing crowds away from Jesus’ direction. Increasing crowds meant multiplied needs, big and small; with those needs came increased opportunities for faith to grow. More work called for more prayer, as Jesus more often responded by withdrawing alone to spend time in close communion with the Father. There were some 204 cities in the surrounding region of Galilee that needed to hear the Gospel message Jesus came to share. Day after day, from sunrise to sunset, people came from all around seeking to hear Jesus and have Him address their needs. If you had to estimate, how much of your day is spent seeking and serving Jesus? How much is spent wrestling and worrying over the concerns and affairs of your daily life? Jesus promises that if you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, everything else in your life will be taken care of. In other words, if you guard your relationship with Him, He’ll in turn regard and respond to the details that surround and concern you right now! Pay close attention to deity on display this week in your lesson, as Jesus reached out to the masses with the message of eternal life, while along the way revealing the heart of God to everyone who crossed His path.

Did You Know Luke was the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament. A close friend and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, it is Luke we have to thank for writing the Book of Acts, allowing us a firsthand look at the early beginnings of the Christian church. He was an educated man, a physician by occupation, which accounts for a writing style that reflects a clinical and compassionate account. Throughout his gospel, he often makes reference to illness, diagnosis and healings. Luke presents Jesus as the perfect human being with a heart for people, emphasizing the Lord’s miracles and the power of prayer. He highlights Jesus’ ministry to include women, non-Jews and the outcasts of society no one else cared about. His presentation demonstrates that Christianity was the fulfillment of Judaism, extending God’s arm of grace to include all peoples of the world. Luke focuses on the fact that the gospel message was part of God’s universal plan for mankind from the beginning.

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Open your Bible and lesson each day by beginning with a word of prayer.

Up Close ~ The chart below represents a reader’s guide to the contents of this week’s lesson. The topical teachings and/or events covered are followed by the primary scriptural text as well as the supportive parallel passages. You will be able to receive and grasp a well-rounded picture of the story narrative in the Gospel harmony by reading every passage. However, using the bolded text as your point of reference (your anchor text) will allow you to determine the facts, lessons, and personal applications necessary to formulate your own conclusions. Teaching / Event Scripture Text Parallel Passages Jesus heals a leper Luke 5:12–16 Matt. 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45 Jesus heals a paralytic Luke 5:17–26 Matt. 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12 Jesus eats with sinners Luke 5:27–32 Matt. 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17 Jesus teaches about fasting Luke 5:33–39 Matt. 9:14–17; Mark 2:18–22 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath Luke 6:1–11 Matt. 12:1–14; Mark 2:23–28; 3:1–6 Jesus chooses the twelve disciples Luke 6:12–16 Mark 3:13–19 Jesus heals a lame man by a pool; John 5:1–18 claims to be the Son of God

First Impressions: Group Discussion Read the above passages selected for this week’s lesson. Reflect for a moment on the passages you have just read. Respond by recording your first impressions from your initial reading of the text. Be prepared to share one of your impressions with your discussion group. __________________________________________________________________________________

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Heartbeat: Matthew 9:5 (Memory verse) (Write out the verse in the spaces below. Practice it each time you open your lesson.)

For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

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Part One _____________________________________________________________________________

Luke 5:12–16 One of the fascinating aspects of Jesus’ ministry is visible in the miraculous healings of those who came to Him for help. Each person was unique to the Great Physician, as was each situation, and He treated each with compassion and love. Luke tells the reader of the day that Jesus was in a certain city when a man “full of leprosy” saw Him coming and fell on his face before Him to make his plea. Luke’s diagnosis suggests that this man was suffering greatly from an extremely serious case.

1. Did this leper have the faith to believe he would be made whole? v.12 In what way did he formulate his request for healing?

2. What did Jesus command the man to do according to the law of Moses? v. 14

a. What did He command him not to do? Why do you think this was?

b. What happened once the news spread? v. 15

3. There was no question that Jesus cared for this man, showing him great compassion, but at what personal cost to Jesus? v. 16

Luke 5:17–26 Again, on a day when Jesus was in the city teaching, the Pharisees from all the surrounding cities came to sit and listen. “And the power of the Lord was present to heal them” (v. 17).

4. Who was brought in and laid before Jesus?

a. To what extreme measures were this man’s friends willing to go? What does this tell you about the size of the crowds at this time? v. 19

b. In response to their faith, what did Jesus say to the man? v. 20

5. How did the scribes and Pharisees respond regarding this unusual demonstration? v. 21 Why?

6. What astonishing fact did Jesus convey to these teachers through His response? vv. 22–24

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a. What affect did this miracle have on those present in the room? vv. 25–26 Luke 5:27–32 After these things Jesus went out, noticed Levi, a tax collector sitting nearby and called out to him. This time Jesus would use the occasion to address the cause and effect of sin and the need for a healing.

7. What did Jesus have in mind when He addressed Levi? v. 27

b. What does Levi’s immediate response in verse 28 tell you about his realization of his need? Levi responded to Jesus’ invitation with one of his own. He invited his fellow tax collectors and other “sinners” to a great feast in his home. The Pharisees used the occasion to openly oppose Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus seized the moment to answer on their behalf.

8. How did Jesus tie the sickness of sin to their need for the Physician who heals body, mind, soul and spirit? vv. 31–32

Luke 5:33–39 The conversation immediately turned to the topic of fasting, through a comparison between Jesus’ disciples and those of John the Baptist. Jesus used a parable (a story with a hidden meaning) to address their question.

9. Briefly restate the parable in your own words. Jesus used the parable to expose the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and religious teachers who engaged in fasting as a public display of their own spirituality. Those like these men who preferred the Old Testament traditions were not inclined to give them up for the new wine of Jesus’ teaching.

Part Two___________________________________________________________________________

John 5:1–15 The story of Jesus’ healing at the pool of Bethesda highlights the beginning of the open hostility toward Him coming out of Jerusalem. There are three things to observe in this story: the miracle (vv. 1–9); the rising persecution (vv. 10–16a); and the murder plot that is hatched (vv. 16b–18).

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There was a custom of the day for people to gather at the pool fed by flowing springs that caused intermittent disturbances to the water (v. 7). Some believed that the waters contained minerals that had medicinal value; others believed that it was an angel that caused the movement of the water. The man at the forefront of the story had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. He was one of a “great multitude” in attendance that included the sick, blind, lame, paralyzed, all waiting for the disturbance of the water. Enter Jesus who, seeing the man lying there, knew that he was in that condition a very long time.

1. What intriguing question did Jesus ask of the man? vv. 6–9 What conclusion do you draw from the man’s answer?

Jesus said to him (v. 8), “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Immediately the man was made well, and responded in obedience to Jesus’ command. John’s account mentions that the day was the Sabbath, which became the bone of contention for the Jews.

2. Persecution immediately followed for Jesus and for the man healed (vv. 10–16a). When Jesus found him in the temple, what warning did he press upon the man?

c. What did the man reveal to the Jews? v. 15

d. For what two reasons did the Jews seek to kill Jesus from that time on? vv. 16b–18

Luke 6:1–16 Two more examples of the Pharisees self-imposed regulations became evidence of Jesus’ contempt for their hypocrisy. He purposely brought out into the open the fact that He was indeed the Lord of the Sabbath.

3. Explain what took place as Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grain fields.

a. What was the Pharisees’ objection?

b. What example did Jesus cite as reason for their actions? (Look at the Old Testament passage in 1 Samuel 21:1–6 to see that God was not offended by David’s act of good in light of a legitimate need when his men were weak with hunger.) What insight do you gain here?

The second example had to do with whether or not He would again heal on the Sabbath (vv. 6–11).

4. Who on this occasion needed the Lord’s healing touch?

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5. What were the motives of the scribes and Pharisees? v. 7

6. Knowing their thoughts, what action did Jesus take? vv. 8, 10 a. What important lesson did He impart to them? v. 9

b. Did they receive it? What was their response? v. 11

Part Three __________________________________________________________________________

Sermon on the Mount: Part 1 ~ The Beatitudes Read Matthew 5:1–12 and Luke 6:20–26. Everyone in the region wanted to spend time with Jesus. Imagine the temptation for the twelve disciples, His closest companions, to feel proud and important, above the crowd and “in the know.” Their association with Him brought them attention, popularity and prestige. And as the crowds began to gather once again, Jesus pulled the disciples aside to warn them about the temptations, perils and rewards they would face as His followers. Each beatitude addresses how to be blessed by God. The word “blessed” literally means “happy” or “fortunate.” The same word appears in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to describe the deepest form of joy that can only come from a personal relationship with God. Like the disciples, there will be times when we too will be tempted to use our association with Jesus to our own advantage. The only way to prevent it from happening is to develop and live by the heart attitudes Jesus puts forth in this sermon on the mountain. Exercise directions: Fill in the spaces below, listing the beatitude along with the reward and the practical application of how to develop it in your life. The exercise is taken from the Matthew 5 passage; the first example is done for you.

1. The heart attitude – v. 3: Blessed are the poor in spirit

The reward: theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

How to develop it: James 4:7–10 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

Submit to God; draw near to God; lament, mourn and weep. Humble myself in the sight of the

Lord, and He will lift me up.

2. The heart attitude – v. 4:

The reward:

How to develop it: Psalm 51 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

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3. The heart attitude – v. 5:

The reward:

How to develop it: Matthew 11:28–30 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

4. The heart attitude – v. 6:

The reward:

How to develop it: Philippians 3:7–11 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

5. The heart attitude – v. 7:

The reward:

How to develop it: Ephesians 4:32 (Put the verse in your own words.)

6. The heart attitude – v. 8:

The reward:

How to develop it: 1 John 3:1–3 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

7. The heart attitude – v. 9:

The reward:

How to develop it: Romans 12:9–21 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

8. The heart attitude – v. 10:

The reward:

How to develop it: John 15:18–21 (Summarize the verses in your own words.)

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Jesus said to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” when you are persecuted. It is evidence that you are faithful to Him and to your calling as a believer. The Beatitudes can be viewed from several different perspectives: as a code of conduct for all believers; to contrast what is worldly with what is eternal; to describe how the expectations of the Old Testament will be fulfilled in the coming Kingdom. Together they demonstrate that the way to true happiness is opposite of the worldly path people normally think to follow. By pursuing and developing these heart attitudes, you will in turn exhibit the character of true faith.

9. Personal: Which of these behavioral traits is the Lord currently working into your life at this moment?

Behold & Be Transformed What did you see as you beheld God’s Son?

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How does beholding (looking upon) Him, motivate you to change your thoughts, habit, attitude, speech or actions? __________________________________________________________________________________

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Pause . . . What is the most significant lesson you have learned this week?

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Ponder . . . How will you put it into practice?

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Pray . . . Write out your prayer, and be specific in your request.

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_________________________________________________________________________________ © 2012 Janis J. Vance, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

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Notes

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