Jesus announces himself

With the crowds following him increasing and his miracles more frequent, inquiring minds would want to know who Jesus is. He dispels all rumors when he declares himself to be the long-awaited Messiah.

At the synagogue in Nazareth

Luke 4:16-31

• Jesus had grown up in Nazareth. His custom was to be in the synagogue on the sabbath day. Now that he is older, he continues that habit (v. 16).
• He could read. He could read publicly. (v. 16).
• In the synagogue a priest would read first, followed by a Levite reading. Jesus was neither of these. Do you wonder what was read before this?
• Is it coincidental or providential that the scroll containing Isaiah 61:3 was brought to Jesus (v. 17)?
• After standing to read, Jesus sat to explain (v. 20).
• Plainly Jesus declared that he was the fulfillment of the prophet’s words. The people marveled how a carpenter’s son would say such things (v. 22).
• References to Elijah’s widow (1 Kings 17:9) and Elisha’s leper (2 Kings 5:14) must mean that God saves whom He will, when and where He will and how He will. This shocked and angered the religious bigots who thought that men are saved by following the right traditions (v. 28).
• When the Jews unsuccessfully attempted to kill him, Jesus left town (v. 29, 31).

In the northern territories

Matthew 4:13-16

• Jesus moved. The attempt on his life warranted it.
• But  who would think that this, too, led to a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 9:1,2; Mt 4:14)?
• The gospel was being preached by the Jewish Messiah in a Gentile land (v. 15).
• Truly his announcement in the synagogue of Nazareth was accurate.

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The early days of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee

His first public miracle was at the wedding in Cana (John 2); and from there he went to Jerusalem. After some time in Judea, Jesus again departed from the center of Judaism and returned to the northern section of the country.

The gospel

Mark 1:14-15

Matthew 4:17

Luke 4:14-15

1. Jesus preached. Is this nothing more than standing on a corner and gathering a crowd?

2. His preaching was powerful. What was the source of his power?

3. He taught in the synagogues. What was the effect?

4. This is the essence of what he preached:

• the time is fulfilled (what time? was there a time period that the populace would have been expecting?)
• the kingdom of God is at hand (the  launch date has been set)
• repent (why would repentance be necessary to receive an earthly kingdom and king?)
• believe the gospel (could this have been the same gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15?)

Healing the Nobleman’s Son

John 4:46-54

• Nicodemus (John 3:1,2) and others had seen the miracles of Jesus in Jerusalem. Word of those miracles spread quickly throughout the land. If you need a miracle in your life or another’s, go to Jesus as the father from Capernaum did.
• The father searched for Jesus and appealed for the life of his dying son at home (v. 47).
• Did Jesus see weakness in the father’s faith (v. 48)? Remember verse 53.
• Jesus was the father’s only hope (v. 49).
• True power is not limited by space or time (v. 50).
• The boy regained his strength in the same hour (v. 52).
• What a testimony the father had upon returning home. Is it any wonder that he and his family believed (v. 53)?
• This is the second Galilean miracle (v. 54).

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Moving on

For 3 1/2 years Jesus preached a while in an area and then moved on. But word of his miracles followed him, sometimes preceded him.

John 4:43-45

• 43. What do you think you could learn from Jesus in two days. If he were in your area today, would you go to hear him?
• 44. Jesus agreed that foreigner’s oft recognize gifts that those most familiar with a person overlook.
• 45. If you live a noteworthy life, others will hear of it and remember it and embrace it.

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“Jesus And Direct Response Marketing”

Compare your answers from yesterday’s homework assignment with these notes. Did I/you go too far, or maybe not far enough? Of course Jesus is not selling anything. He’s giving salvation free. And he offers it directly, expecting a response. Moreover, he doesn’t quit until he’s told everything that the woman of Samaria needs to hear.

John 4:5-42

• Know your audience. Know where to reach them, and what it is that they need or want.

Do you have any doubt that Jesus knew all about the roles of women and men in society, as well as the relationship between Samaritans and Jews?

• Introduce yourself and what you have to offer with an attention-grabbing headline.

Jesus asked for water. That sure got her attention. A man. A Jew. Speaking to her, a woman of the world.

• Give some information that hooks them into listening further.

His proposal that he could give her water piques her curiosity. How could that be? I want to hear more.

• Make an irresistible offer.

Water that eternally quenches one’s thirst? Unheard of.

• Promise and guarantee something big and wonderful.

Living water. Everlasting life. Yes, I want it.

• We don’t like to work; if you offer an easier, faster, longer-lasting solution, they will want it.

I can see myself not having to come out here in the middle of the day to avoid all the other, more respectable women. I like the idea of not having to carry water all the way back into the town. Sign me up.

• Heighten their desire by withdrawing the offer slightly.

What? I can’t have it just now. I have to speak to my husband. I want it even more.

• Demonstrate your credibility.

Surely a man who knows this much about me is able to provide that living water.

• Use short, powerful statements to describe the benefits of what you offer.

We know what we worship. Salvation is of the Jews. Worship in spirit and in truth. I am he.

• Gather testimonials from those who have consumed your product or service.

“Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?”

• Use satisfied consumers as affiliates.

Many believed n him for the saying of the woman.

• If possible, set up a continuing program of satisfying needs and wants.

He stayed there two days, at their request.

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