Luke 4:14—5:16: Promising Yet Dangerous Beginnings
SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY, "Everything has been going so well that I feel something awful coming." They know enough about life not to expect good things to continue forever. But we need not be fatalistic. We can be both realistic and positive about expectations in life. We have seen how well Jesus began. We shall also see how realistic he was about fickle human nature and how he drew out the best in people who wanted to follow him.
Warming Up to God
When you've felt rejection (on any level), what was your greatest fear?
Read Luke 4:14—5:16. »
Discovering the Word
- What link do you see between Jesus' temptations and the beginning of his mission (4:14-15)?
- Watch the people's changing attitudes to Jesus (vv. 14-15, 20-22, 28-29). What has caused the radical change?
- What prejudices can make people today object to Jesus' good news or perhaps to Jesus himself? How would you respond to these objections?
- Having been rejected by Nazareth, Jesus now makes Capernaum his base of operations. Here Luke describes what may be a typical work day for Jesus. Identify his activities during that period (4:31-44).
- Read Luke 5:1-16. Note the progressive steps by which Jesus persuades Simon Peter to leave everything and follow him. When you met Jesus, what tensions arose as you recognized the need to leave everything to follow him?
Applying the Word
- What can you learn from Jesus' example of dealing with rejection?
- In its context Jesus' healing of the leper appears to be a personal encounter, typical of his opening ministry. As such then, what do you observe about Jesus as a people helper?
- Think of your ministry to others. Which of Jesus' ministering qualities do you want to have added to or reinforced in your life?
Responding in Prayer
Praise God for such a practical Teacher and Lord!
For Further Study
God in the Flesh by Don Everts