Bible Study (2) - All About JESUS (2) - The Ministry of JESUS - Luke 6:17-23, 27-31 - March 10, 2024

 

Bible Study (2) – All About JESUS (2) – The Ministry of JESUS – March 10, 2024 

JESUS backed up what HE taught with examples of HIS teaching. JESUS pointed us to a relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

 Our focus scripture is Luke 6:17-23,27-31.

First, let’s consider the lead-in words of Luke 6:17, “After coming down with them,” who are them? We read Luke 6:12-16 The Twelve Apostles

¹² One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. ¹³ When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: ¹⁴ Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, ¹⁵ Matthew, Thomas, James’s son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

What had JESUS been doing before HE chose HIS Apostles? Praying! Prayer was vital for JESUS; therefore, prayer is vital for all Christians before making decisions in life.

The crowd/multitude waiting for JESUS had gathered at the foot of the mountain. They were followers of JESUS, those who wanted to hear JESUS preach, teach, answer questions, to be healed were gathered at the base of the mountain to listen to JESUS teach and work.

So, what did those present hear from JESUS? They heard a sermon which Luke entitled, The Beatitudes. What are beatitudes? What is a person’s attitude toward life and GOD?

What does the word “beatitude” mean?

• The word beatitude comes from the Latin beatitudo, meaning "blessedness."
• The phrase "blessed are" in each beatitude implies a current state of happiness or well-being. This expression held a powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness" to the people of Christ's day. In other words, Jesus was saying "divinely happy and fortunate are those who possess these inward qualities." While speaking of a current "blessedness," each pronouncement also promised a future reward.

The beatitudes introduce and set the tone for Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the humble state of humans and the righteousness of God. Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this idyllic state, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.

So, what was JESUS teaching?

Let’s read Luke 6:17-19:

Teaching and Healing

¹⁷ After coming down with them, he stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a vast number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. ¹⁸ They came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. ¹⁹ The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all.

Some wanted to hear HIM, some wanted JESUS to heal them of their disease, some wanted to be in the presence of JESUS. Some wanted o be delivered from unclean spirits that had invaded their bodies.

What do we do today that opens us up to unclean spirits? Porn, alcohol, drugs, greed, gossip not being truthful, and the list goes on.

JESUS had just launched HIS earthly ministry. HE had chosen HIS twelve disciples as GOD had led HIM. JESUS taught the crowds and HIS chosen disciples who were behind HIM.

Let’s read Luke 6:20-23:

The Beatitudes

²⁰ Then looking up at his disciples, he said:

Blessed are you who are poor,
because the kingdom of God is yours.
²¹ Blessed are you who are hungry now,
because you will be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.
²² Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you, insult you,
and slander your name as evil
because of the Son of Man.²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

 

JESUS and HIS chosen disciples had just come down the mountain. JESUS chosen disciples were behind HIM and the crowd was in front of HIM. JESUS had asked HIS chosen disciples to leave what they had been doing to follow HIM. JESUS’ teaching was a message to encourage HIS chosen disciples, as well as those who would choose to follow HIM.

The same is true today when The Holy Spirit calls, will we answer? Trust is a substantial portion of how we respond when GOD calls.

 

The Beatitudes are a mind-set and lifestyle that would build a foundation for people to serve GOD until GOD sent HIS Holy Spirit to indwell believers.

 

How can a person be happy when he/she experiences these issues in life? It is the mind-set of knowing that GOD has your back. JESUS came to earth to show all people the nature and love of GOD to all people.

 

GOD sent HIS most cherished and vital person, JESUS, to be born human, subject to death, subject to sin. If JESUS was to be the Savior of the world, HE had to be tempted as all humans are tempted but not sin. HE had to be the perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, for all sin.

 

How do we know that JESUS passed the test?

 

We read in Matthew 3:13-17 when JESUS began HIS earthly ministry:

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him,^[e] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

We read in Matthew 17:5:

⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered^[a] them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

 

Even after a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, that person must have the right mind-set.

 

Blessed carries the mind-set of Happy because the Spirit-born person knows with certainty that GOD is in control, therefore knows that GOD is in all things bringing about the best result.

 

Trust in GOD and JESUS are foundational. Being a Spirit-born Christian does not mean a life free from facing the issues living in this world offers. The key is to know and be happy we as a Spirit-born person faces the issues of life that GOD is working for that person’s best outcome.

 

First Corinthians 6:19-20 reveals to us:

¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.^[a]

Notice, “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” GOD chose for Holy Spirit born people to be the shining light to all they come in contact with each day.

At this point in the ministry of JESUS, the human body had not been made ready to house the Holy Spirit. It took JESUS’ perfect, sinless human life and death to reveal to all that HE was human. JESUS was buried in a borrowed, new tomb for three days. GOD raised HIM from the dead on the third day. HE walked upon earth for 40 days and then ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of HIS FATHER, GOD. GOD then sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all who accept JESUS as their Savior at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is every believer’s guarantee and assurance of eternal life.

It is sad that many Christians do not know that the Holy Spirit dwells within them. GOD is but a thought away. HE does not need to come from Heaven because HE is always with those who have been Spirit-born.

When JESUS taught the Beatitudes, HE was teaching a mindset that HE knew would be helpful to get those who desired to be in right relationship with GOD. This was before GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell those who earnestly desired to walk with GOD.

Let’s read Luke 6:27-31:

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. ³¹ Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

The teachings of JESUS were contrary to the Law, which taught “an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

JESUS taught; vengeance is MINE says the LORD. As Spirit-born Christians, GOD works in our behalf to bring out the best from an unpleasant situation, as recorded in Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. GOD is working in all things to bring about the best result for those who love GOD and are called.

(A special note to our friend Dave. GOD has a special plan for you. Keep the faith! We love you and so does our LORD JESUS.) Blessings!!!

X

 

 

It is all about relationship and being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Why JESUS? JESUS has always been a member of the trinity. JESUS willingly left HIS eternal home in Heaven to come to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for all sin for all who will accept HIM as their Savior.

There had to be a divine process dictated by the law as we see in Hebrews 9:11-15:

The Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,^[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining^[b] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,^[c] so that we may serve the living God!

¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant (Grace), that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he (JESUS) has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

JESUS came to earth to reveal GOD, HIS FATHER, HIS and GOD’S love, and what GOD requires for all humans to do for their eternal life to be restored. Adam and Eve sinned and as a result, sin separates all people from GOD. JESUS restored GOD’S original intended relationship for all of mankind to be in right relationship with GOD, but it is a choice. GOD reveals Himself in many different ways but most of all through HIS only Son JESUS. When any person asks JESUS to come into his/her heart believing that JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS sinless blood and dying on the cross to atone for all sin. That is salvation through Grace. Grace is something that no person can earn, it is a gift from GOD through the passion and resurrection of JESUS. The question is do you accept what JESUS did for you? It is your choice.

JESUS was and is GOD’S only perfect acceptable sacrifice for all sin therefore all must accept JESUS as their Savior to have eternal life. JESUS passion represents “Grace or there is nothing a person can do to earn GOD’S Grace. “How about babies, those with mental challenges, etc. GOD is not eager to condemn but to harvest. GOD speaks in many different ways to get the attention of people e.g. HIS Word, nature, within a person’s heart or inner being and the list goes on. GOD’S one desire is for no one to end up in Hell.

Yes, Hell is real just as Heaven is real and the choice where a person will spend eternity I his/her choice. Choose wisely because eternity has no has no end. The question is do you believe there is a Heaven or Hell. GOD’S word reveals to us there is a Heaven and a Hell.

GOD prompts us, who know the truth, to reach to others as HE leads us to witness, serve and go tell the Good News of Salvation through JESUS.

When a person takes the step of faith by asking JESUS to come into his/her life, with that step of faith The Holy Spirit unites with a persons’ human spirit and that person is Spirit-born into the eternal family of GOD. A Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

As we read and study our selected scripture, JESUS had not given HIS life for our sins. HE was preparing the way for those who will accept HIM as their Savior to live abundant lives upon earth reaching out to others with the Good News of living the abundant life, as guided by the Holy Spirit, WHO would come later.

JESUS had just chosen HIS twelve-disciples. There was a large crowd waiting for JESUS to come down from the mountain with HIS just appointed Disciples, which included Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. The mind-set of Judas led him to make wrong decisions about JESUS. Greed and the desire for power distorted Judas’ mind-set.