February
2007
THE FAMOUS JESUS
Luke 4:14-15
It has been said that these two verses in Luke’s gospel are an editorial comment. They bridge the stories of Jesus’ baptism and temptations with His ministry to Galilee that follows. I think that this is a bridge passage, but certainly more than just that. For in these two verses I see four characteristics of Jesus’ ministry:
1. Jesus Returned to Galilee in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Luke 4:32, “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”
Acts 10:37-38, “That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
The anointing of the Holy Ghost refers to the passage in Luke 3:21-22. Not only was Jesus filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary was confused about how she could conceive a child; so she asked the angel:
Luke 1:34-35, “Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
The Holy Spirit is called here “the power of the Highest”.
Jesus has all power.
Matthew 28:18-19, “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…”
Matthew 9:6, “But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…”
Luke 11:20, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
That same power of the Holy Spirit is available to us today as believers in Christ.
Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Jesus still has that power today in Heaven.
1 Peter 3:22, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
2. Jesus’ Fame Spread Throughout the Entire Region
One of the first decisions Jesus had to make was where to begin His ministry. He began in Galilee, an area in the north of Palestine, about fifty miles north to south and twenty-five miles east to west. The name itself means “a circle”. It was literally encircled by non-Jewish nations. Because of that non-Jewish influence, it was the least conservative part of the nation. It was also densely populated.
Josephus, once a governor himself in that area, wrote that there were 204 villages, each with a population of 15,000 or up. As small as that area was, it seems hard to believe that 3 million people made their homes in Galilee. The land was fertile, beautiful, and filled with strong, courageous people. What a place to begin your ministry – right at home.
Luke 5:17, “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”
Matthew 8:27, “But the men marveled, saying, what manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”
3. Jesus Began His Ministry Teaching in the Synagogue
Jesus taught like no scribe they had ever heard. He taught with authority, with power, and with the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 7:28-29, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Somebody said there are two kinds of teachers: those who have something to say and those who have to say something. Jesus had something to say. He chose to begin in the synagogue. This was the center of religious life in Palestine. Since there is only one temple, every town and village had a meeting place called a synagogue. The law required a synagogue if there were at least ten Jewish families in an area. There were no animal sacrifices here. It is much like our worship today – singing hymns, scripture reading, a sermon, a pulpit, and even congregational scripture readings. Our worship in church is patterned after them.
There was no professional ministry in the synagogue. No one person gave the message. The president would invite any distinguished men to speak. Then discussion would follow. Jesus, because He was famous and Spirit filled and a great teacher, was permitted to bring the message that follows in this passage.
4. Jesus Won the Hearts of Everybody
This short passage ends by telling us that Jesus was held in high regard by everyone. To glory means to praise or to compliment. This phase of Jesus’ ministry is called by some the Galilaean Springtime. He arrived on the scene in this God starved country with a message of Hope. People were hungry for Good News. When someone comes with a God given message of hope, people will listen. Opposition had not yet begun against Jesus, except from Satan. Right now He is welcomed and invited to bring a message. But after His first message, the people in control of the establishment will start to oppose Him. Jesus’ message will set the people free and the opposition fears that freedom.
Likewise the message we preach, the message of Jesus, is a message of power. Paul wrote to the churches these words about His message.
1Corinthians 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
1Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”