Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Mission BeginsThe Mission Begins

Preparing Preparing

the the

Way Way

of the of the

Lord Lord

CONCEPT CCONCEPT C The Beginnings of The Beginnings of

Jesus’ Public Life Jesus’ Public Life

John the BaptistJohn the Baptist

prepared the way for Jesus – called prepared the way for Jesus – called people to an awareness of their sin & to people to an awareness of their sin & to repentancerepentance

a whole new order was about to begin - a whole new order was about to begin - get ready for it by having a change of get ready for it by having a change of heartheart

sign of change of heart - the ritual sign of change of heart - the ritual bathing called baptismbathing called baptism

Jesus’ BaptismJesus’ Baptism

Performed by Performed by John the John the BaptistBaptist

After Jesus’ BaptismAfter Jesus’ Baptism

He sees the He sees the heavens torn apart heavens torn apart

the Spirit descends the Spirit descends like a dove like a dove

God the Father God the Father says: “You are my says: “You are my beloved Son in you beloved Son in you I am well pleased”.I am well pleased”.

Jesus’ Baptism & SymbolismJesus’ Baptism & Symbolism

• Dove - in ancient times a symbol of Israel as a whole

& less often for the Spirit of God

Jesus’ Baptism & SymbolismJesus’ Baptism & Symbolism

• Voice from heavens – in OT God is shown as speaking to the people in a voice from the heavens, often concealed in a cloud

Jesus’ Baptism & SymbolismJesus’ Baptism & Symbolism

Evangelists used these images to show Jesus’ inner experience of God during his baptism.

The Early Church Was The Early Church Was Uncomfortable with Jesus Being Uncomfortable with Jesus Being

BaptismBaptism

Jesus needs to repent of sin.Jesus needs to repent of sin.

Mt. said John was reluctant to baptize Mt. said John was reluctant to baptize Jesus but explained that Jesus Jesus but explained that Jesus accepted baptism “to fulfill all accepted baptism “to fulfill all righteousness” – as part of God’s plan.righteousness” – as part of God’s plan.

This was not an admission of sin but This was not an admission of sin but an indication of the willingness of an indication of the willingness of Jesus to completely immerse himself Jesus to completely immerse himself in the life & concerns of his people.in the life & concerns of his people.

Jesus’ Baptism – Jesus’ Baptism – A Moment of Self-discoveryA Moment of Self-discovery

Like us, Jesus Like us, Jesus struggled to find struggled to find his place in the his place in the world.world.

He had a He had a growing growing understanding understanding of himself & of himself & his mission.his mission.

““Aha! Moment” Aha! Moment” A Moment of Self-discoveryA Moment of Self-discovery

Jesus had some idea Jesus had some idea what God was what God was asking of him:asking of him:to proclaim & to proclaim & begin a new begin a new kingdomkingdom

with power to do with power to do this through the this through the Spirit of GodSpirit of God

Jesus’ Temptation Jesus’ Temptation in the Desertin the Desert

Jesus’ Temptation Jesus’ Temptation in the Desertin the Desert

Israel wandered 40 Israel wandered 40 years in the desert.years in the desert.

Jesus was 40 days Jesus was 40 days in the desert.in the desert.

The Israelites were The Israelites were tempted & failed.tempted & failed.

Jesus was tempted Jesus was tempted & did not fail.& did not fail.

3 Temptations of Jesus3 Temptations of Jesus

Jesus rejected the political & Jesus rejected the political & militaristic messiahship that militaristic messiahship that Jewish people had come to Jewish people had come to accept.accept.

1. Turn stones into bread1. Turn stones into bread

Dt 8:3 “One does not live by bread alone.”Dt 8:3 “One does not live by bread alone.”Economic power: messiah not to provide Economic power: messiah not to provide for the material needs for the material needs

but for the spiritual hunger but for the spiritual hunger

by proclaiming by proclaiming

God’s word,God’s word,

which offers true life.which offers true life.

2. Throw himself down from a high 2. Throw himself down from a high point in Temple & have God save him - point in Temple & have God save him - to prove special relationship with Godto prove special relationship with God

Dt 6:16 Dt 6:16

““Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”Magical power: not based on magic or tricks Magical power: not based on magic or tricks

to impress peopleto impress peopleJesus only works miracles to bring about Jesus only works miracles to bring about

good in world, not to impress people.good in world, not to impress people.

3. Fall at feet of devil & worship 3. Fall at feet of devil & worship him him

& then receive from the devil & then receive from the devil “all the kingdoms of the world”“all the kingdoms of the world”

Dt. 6:13 “Worship Dt. 6:13 “Worship the Lord your Godthe Lord your God

& serve only him.”& serve only him.”

Political power: Political power: reign of God in the reign of God in the world would take world would take place in peoples’ place in peoples’ hearts - not in hearts - not in political political domination of domination of them.them.

All 3 Temptations

represent the kind

of temptations Jesus

would deal with

throughout his ministry. Jesus rejected the

messiahship expected by his people. He refused to use economic, magical, or political

power.