Episode Details

Luke 7: A “Chapter” in Jesus’ Life (3) Unyime Akpan - October 15 Luke 7:18-35 An imprisoned prophet, makes a request to Jesus Hoping Jesus will perform a miracle for him Jesus declares John the Baptist the greatest person that ever lived A sinful woman demonstrates faith in Jesus for spiritual healing A woman of low standing has a need Jesus performs the greatest miracle, salvation, spiritual resurrection Key Biblical Passages on the Life of John the Baptist Matthew 3:1-17; Matthew 11:1-15 Luke 1:5-24; 39-45; 57-80; Luke 3:1-21; Luke 7:18-35 Mark 1:1-11; John 1:1-34; John 3:22-36 Portrait of a Great Life Before John was imprisoned It was prophesied that John will be great before his birth John prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ) John introduced the Messiah to Israel John voluntarily exit the stage for the Messiah It was prophesied that John will be great before his birth Luke 1:12-17 John’s job description - Luke 1:67,76-77, 79-80 John –God is gracious True greatness is before God and not the world Not guaranteed John will live up to the prophesies Zachariah and Elizabeth trained John Obeyed & spoke to John about Gabriel’s prophesy and John’s mission Training focused on obedience to God’s word Training not focused on material/physical prosperity and achievements Adult John: home: wilderness, food: locust and honey, cloth: camel’s hair John Prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ) World’s greatest people Roman rulers: Tiberius Caeser, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip; Lysanias The high priests: Annas and Caiaphas –Israel’s greatest men John, ‘a world’s nobody’ God’s word came to John and he obeyed Jesus identified John as a great man Luke 3:2-6 Luke 3:7-15 Mark 1:1-8 John’s physical/material lifestyle (wealthy?) Not named among ‘the world greatest men at the time’ Home: wilderness (and figuratively the state of the Israel) Cloth: camel hair (dressed for success?) Food: locust and honey (culinary delight?) Very simple and below ordinary lifestyle John’s message repent for forgiveness of sin, show fruit of repentance uncompromising message, popular with the common people. message not popular with the religious elites proclaimed forgiveness in the wilderness, (not at the temple with animal sacrifices) Message centered on repentance and forgiveness without temple sacrifice Johns Audience all Judea, all Jerusalem very popular and successful ministry John had the chance ‘to make it’ but he did not take his chance Most thought John was the expected Christ (Messiah) John introduced Jesus He comes after me, mightier than I I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals strap.  Compared to Jesus, John considered himself lower than a Jewish slave What we learn about John so far John –the first name assigned in the New testament John -God is gracious (new testament begins with God’s grace) True greatness is before God and not the world John’s parent were faithful to the word of God John was: Obedient and faithful to his calling and did not aim to be great Proclaimed uncompromising message of repentance & forgiveness Very simple and below ordinary physical/material lifestyle Was not carried away by his success -large crowd, messiah expectation A very humble man, compared to Jesus, John saw himself lower than a Jewish slave What made John great? Answer: John had the mind of Christ (a humble attitude) Philippians 2:5-11