Apostles Creed

By way of introduction.

In our study of Jesus through the eyes of Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke, we need to note a few things. Luke is the only non-Jewish author in the Scriptures. He has taken upon himself to write a systematic study of who Jesus is and why we should believe in him.

Luke starts his letter to Theophilus. Whether this is a general term referring to all who love God or a specific person is not known. Whatever the motive we can see from his style that he is utilizing a very ‘modern’ and systematic method. This form of logic was developed by the Greeks and is still the common form of study used in nearly all disciplines. This is human reasoning and therefore by default is fallible. However, it provides us with a means to proceed and a framework wherein we can grow and develop.

Luke is a doctor (Paul refers to Luke as my Beloved Physician Col. 4:14) so he adopts the method for medical studies which is the observation and interviewing of the patient, thereby understanding the problem from which we can make a diagnosis and then a treatment. Luke develops his image of the Messiah using this same method to make the account palatable to the Greek as well as the Hellenised Jew of his time.  

This uniqueness and meticulousness is reflected in several ways. For example:

• Luke gives the longest and most detailed account of the virgin birth
• Of the some 20 specific miracles mentioned, six are unique to Luke
• Likewise of the 23 parables, 18 are only mentioned in Luke (e.g. The Prodigal Son and The good Samaritan)
• The account of the walk to Emmaus is unique to Luke
• Luke emphasises human sympathy and focuses on benevolence
• He uses more medical terms than Hippocrates the founder of the concept of medical studies.
• His account emphasises What God has done for man
• It is a Gospel to the Gentiles

This last point is worth dwelling on as we need to envisage the world into which Luke is writing and then reflect on where we today are headed in the 21^st century. The world of Rome was founded on a polytheistic religious belief. Man was in constant fear of displeasing the gods and spirits so there was no real understanding of right and wrong, purity and justice. Might was the defining element.

Therefore, when God reveals Himself to mankind as one God and the only God, it is extremely significant and the most important difference between the Roman/Greek world and The Jews. So Luke takes it upon himself to tell the story into this pagan world. This is why it is much easier for the non-Jew to understand the Gospel of salvation through Luke. What is important is that there is a wholeness in his account. Luke explains that God is supreme and has a plan of salvation for His creation. There is a complete logical elucidation and solution for evil, and sin in this world. Both temporal and spiritual.

This is why, for example the stories of the gentile centurion, the Samaritan woman, the Greeks who seek out Jesus and the mother of the sick child in Tyre are important because Jesus came to save the whole world. Often Luke explains significant Jewish tradition which would have otherwise been strange for one not familiar with a monotheistic faith based on the Hebrew scriptures.

Chapt. 2 second lesson

Read Luke 2: 22-24

• Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law
• Jesus was the first born and thus presented and dedicated to God
• V 21 8 days circumcision – Lev. 12:3
• V22 purification of mother – Lev. 12:4-6
• V 23 1^st born dedicated to God – Ex. 13:2, 12

Read Luke 2:25-35

• Simeon sees –The Holy Spirit comes on him.
• Simon blessed God ! v29- 32
  • – my eyes have seen THY salvation ישועתיך – Jesus
  • – for all peoples
  • –Light of revelation αποκαλπς
• Simon blessed them – the couple
  • Then he said to Mary not Joseph – where is Joseph in the new testament?
  • Jesus the cause of the rise and fall of many

3. Prophecy:

• V35 and a sword will pierce your own soul Why?

We can note here two things – Joseph would not be present at Jesus death – he had fulfilled his role and that Jesus was the firstborn of the family. (Jesus brothers: Joseph, James Judas Simon – ref: Mark:6-3, 3:31-32; Matt 13:55-56; Gal1:19; 1Cor 9:5)Read V37-38 – He was the one sought after – the Messiah!

Read Luke 2:39-42

Passover

• It is about a 4-5-day walk from Nazareth to Jerusalem if you walk regular but with family and animals maybe longer. Often a lamb was brought/bought from the fields between Jerusalem and Bethlehem and Joseph probably stayed with family in Bethlehem but this is speculation- it is common tradition that the feast of the Passover is celebrated with the family with the head of the household. Since Joseph came from Bethlehem it is quite possible that they went to Bethlehem and Jerusalem every year – a practice still common till now.3
• In the Bible believing world all over it is the New year. Gods plan for us was that in the new year + in the spring- we start the year as clean and pure as possible – removal of leaven from the house as a sign of removing of sin from the home.
• It is done with the Blood of the lamb on the door-post with hyssop – זעתר

V 39  It is at Passover – what we have today Passover! What is Passover the lamb is brought to the temple. The lamb must be the first born, must be pure without blemish and here Jesus is dedicated to be the lamb of God at His coming of age – Bar mitzvah.

Mary hid this in her heart-   .v19 and in v 51

• The stable
• Egypt
• Nazareth
• Wise men
• Prophecies Luke 1 v26
• Angels- message Mat 2 – go to Egypt
• Elisabeth

Today is the first day of Passover – a time of reflection – a time of celebration – a time of meditation on who and what God has done and that it is not all just an accident and that God will accomplish his plan and it is a time to put things into perspective.

When Luke asked Mary about the story she could give an answer and we should at all times be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us.

In Luke Chapter 6 we discussed:

• Jesus as Lord of the universe and creation
• We saw Jesus frustrated and angry at how the religious leadership was more concerned with the law than the spirit of the law
• We noted how important it is to constantly be in communion with our heavenly father and especially prior to big world revolutionary choices such as choosing his disciples. Also we could see His foresight and overview of reality.
• We discussed also what the face of God looking at you and seeing you means as he regarded his disciples and why Jesus’ face saw the depth of all wisdom and knowledge yet shone upon us in a manner that only bring peace.
• The last part is to answer the question: “How shall we then live?”. If we have been transformed into His likeness and become a child of God then Gods spirit has taken the place of our spirit and then the result will be as described in Matt 5-7 and Luke 6:21-49.
• We talked a bit about Jesus as the teacher and then as the rock of foundation.

Luke 7

Now in this chapter, after we have all the background and history and preparation, Jesus starts his ministry. This is Luke’s meticulousness coming out. At this point Jesus has grown up in the manner according to the scriptures and has been baptised, been filled with the Holy Spirit, tempted and tried and chosen his disciples and finally laid out his message of how to live. There is much more however this is the general overview as from here on out we see the life in practice and in a correct eternal perspective.

The concept of being separate and ‘underdogs’ is a common element of all Jewish religious, cultural and formal tradition. Therefore, it is of significance that a Roman centurion had chosen to ‘adopt’ monotheism and had been accepted by the local community to the extent that they were interceding for the gentile ‘oppressor’. Clearly the ramifications are understood by Luke, a Greek, which is why he also includes the detail that the centurion had built them a synagogue, the remains of which are still standing in Kfar Nahum.

The Centurion understood the place where he was and built the synagogue that we can see today in Kfar Nahum – The centurion had an advantage in that he understood authority and also had a ‘universal perspective’. He was sent from Rome and as a servant of the Roman empire.

• Authority – Not for discussion – it is just reality, not something attained or achieved by earthly means.
• Power – this is also just a given
• By right – it was therefore people came to see and listen to Jesus but also why they had a problem dealing with the truth of what he taught and practiced.
• Widow of Nain – here again we see Christ as merciful and suffering with those who are in mourning. The creator in total empathy with His creation.

A reflection of what he has taught – practice what you preach

Did they get the message? What is and was the message of this act

• We need to see that God created the universe we are not the centre of the universe, He is!
• We are the bugs in the system! So we need to readjust our perspective on reality and this is what God is trying to do with us if we let him
• God has a plan to fix it
• God has a plan for His creation in a way we are incidentals because He made us and we messed up and misbehaved
• *who can forgive sins? Requires authority
• who can heal* requires authority
• To have authority one must have integrity and purity
  • Just being aware of your sin is just the first step. In man’s arrogance we just say sin is just natural and therefor OK
  • We need to get to the point of understanding our depraved state before a perfect God.

Understanding authority – purity – righteousness and that gives the right to lead. Today it is acceptable to find excuses under the banner of ‘forgiveness and accommodating’.

Leaders need to be clean, perfect, pure and an example

Fathers need to be clean perfect pure and an example – no room for half examples

Holiness /purity is recognizable and does not assuage authority in any manner.

Luke 7 cont.

Some things to consider:

This chapter has four main subjects and each reveal a different side of Jesus but with special insight into his authority – έζουσιαν – authority and power but also as originator and author (as of a book for example)

1. Centurion
2. Widow of Nain and her son
3. The disciples of John the Baptist
4. The sinner woman of the city and parable of the money lender

Read: Psalm 89:11-18

Let us recall John 17. Jesus is interceding and taking responsibility and showing his love and his right to do so because he has the authority

The concept in authority entails power. The boss might have authority but no power or means to do what his authority requires.

Among other things Authority entails:

• Power
• Origin
• Creating
• Responsibility
• Care
• Knowledge and Wisdom

Matt 28: 18 – 20 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In Hebrew the word has a burden concept as something one must carry:

סמכות – לסם   to put on, to bear, to place trust = authority = power

The authority of the knights of the king – by placing the sword on the shoulders of the person symbolising the burden of authority.

Hebrews 11:3 the worlds are made by Him

Col. 1:16 for by him all things are created

So we slowly get a better picture of what it means when Jesus is declared as The Word because According to John 1, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and was God and became flesh and dwelt among us. We see that by the word God created and thereby has authority and power but also care and Love for his creation. (John 3:16)

In Hebrews 6 when God swears an oath to Abraham he did so by his own name because there is no greater. So this is Jesus and the centurion. And then this is Jesus over death

But in each situation we see God’s mercy, pity and grace and love.

 The Pharisees had it right. several times ask Jesus, “ by what authority do you do these things?”

Jesus replied Mark3:24, and Matt 12:22

 How does this show in relation to how we behave today? Do we adopt/adapt to the world

They knew that evil also has power and that it was important the source of power and miracles.

Matt 21:23-32 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Jesus is living the life we ought to be – why can we not? See Philippians 2 Christ emptied himself Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

1. What is important
2. what is of value
3. and where do we use our time

John the Baptist

Who is John? Luke 3 Is. 40:3ff

Jesus identifies fully with the voice crying in the wilderness.  John is his forerunner. Is. 40:3ff

At this point John is still a controversial figure (Matt. 21) He is in Herod’s prison but still preaching and following what is going on. John too had his followers/disciples.

We do not know how Jesus is related to John. Elizabeth is a relative of Mary how? Probably she was Mary’s aunt. Zacharias was a Levite which means that John was a Levite which meant that they have no land or inheritance but are charged with the religious ritual and worship. This is not so with the Pharisees. We need to remember this in light of the rebuke they receive from John – brood of vipers?!

For one to have authority one must be pure, holy and upright, otherwise the judgment, wisdom etc will be tarnished. We have to therefore be holy as He is holy!

That is why it is so important that the judicial system is neutral which it isn’t so it must fail.

When Herod (who was an Edomite of the family of Esau) killed John, he killed a Levite who were protected and respected by the people

John – and Matthew were without inheritance Levites –exclusive

That is why John as a prophet is accepted and therefore It was John who could authenticate Jesus

The ministry of John the Baptist is necessary to authenticate Jesus Ministry – as John was prophecy fulfilled so is Jesus.

It is the simple, the poor and sinners who accepted Christ – Jesus preached simple truths and the spirit of the Torah – the lower class sought Jesus the religious sought to justify themselves and found wrong both with John and with God!

When Herod Antipas executed john the Baptist, The Antiquities of the Jews (Book 18:116-19), and Mark 6). What happened to his followers?

The issues here are about the truth and reality. The religious leaders were more concerned about their own tradition and framework than the evidence before them.

This arrangement is set up by God (Read Leviticus and Deuteronomy)– the reason the apostles could understand the concept of a call was because of this God given setup – the people – the priest in the breach – God in His holiness. Therefore, John was an important figure.

How does that relate to us today?

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The last story in this chapter is concerning a woman who is regarded as a sinner. We do not know what she is accused of.

Nevertheless, Simon the Pharisee questions Jesus prophet status/title.

What is a prophet? Anointed of God, Sam 10, Moses, Samuel, Elijah

Sinner in a small community- law reputation

Note that Jesus is eating with Simon the Pharisee – see verse 34

So where are we in this story when we look in Jesus face and have to turn our eyes down because of the excuses we make for ourselves and our sins.

Jesus does not accuse Simon the Pharisee. Simon has to make his own judgment upon himself.

What do we learn of Jesus from this chapt?