THE EXPERIENCE STUDY
The image of Jesus gets hijacked a lot these days. There is so much conflicting information coming over the airwaves about what matters to Jesus and what is at the core of His teachings that it can almost be dizzying at times. Especially in the conflict-ridden political climate. There are many who claim that Jesus is leading the charge of their bizarre political agenda. These days I’m inclined to pay much closer attention to the actual words and work of Jesus. Let’s not let the political pundits redefine Jesus. Rather let’s recommit to what Jesus said was a true priority for Him.
Read Luke 4:16-21
Jesus wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. What was extraordinary was His response to the Scripture and their reaction to the Scripture and His response.
Jesus wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. What was extraordinary was His response to the Scripture and their reaction to the Scripture and His response.
Compare Matthew 11:1-5.
Think on this: when John the Baptist was imprisoned his disciples came questioning Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ response to their challenging inquiry is similar to the Scripture He read in Luke.
Think on this: when John the Baptist was imprisoned his disciples came questioning Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ response to their challenging inquiry is similar to the Scripture He read in Luke.
Review Luke 7:11-17.
Keep in mind that when Jesus revived the son’s life, this was not simply about ending her grief, but as a widow, this woman would be plunged into abject poverty because men were the primary breadwinners in those days.
Keep in mind that when Jesus revived the son’s life, this was not simply about ending her grief, but as a widow, this woman would be plunged into abject poverty because men were the primary breadwinners in those days.
Reflect on Matthew 25:34-46
The parable suggests that the final judgment has a specific criteria. Make a list of the similarities between this text and Jesus’ Scripture read in Luke 4.
The parable suggests that the final judgment has a specific criteria. Make a list of the similarities between this text and Jesus’ Scripture read in Luke 4.
Read Isaiah 1:16-17
In Luke 4, Jesus read from Isaiah. Isaiah was not bashful about challenging the Jews to recommit to the things that truly matter to God.
In Luke 4, Jesus read from Isaiah. Isaiah was not bashful about challenging the Jews to recommit to the things that truly matter to God.
Study Revelation 18:9-13.
Notice how the kings and merchants of the earth mourn their losses at the end of time. Did you notice they also profited from the sale of humans as slaves? Notice that Jesus wants to protect the vulnerable. These leaders profited from their exploitation.
Notice how the kings and merchants of the earth mourn their losses at the end of time. Did you notice they also profited from the sale of humans as slaves? Notice that Jesus wants to protect the vulnerable. These leaders profited from their exploitation.
Read Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 21:15; and Proverbs 29:7
Jesus was the living embodiment of the heart and mind of God. Make a list of some of the things that you can do that are more closely aligned to what Jesus said His ministry was about.
Jesus was the living embodiment of the heart and mind of God. Make a list of some of the things that you can do that are more closely aligned to what Jesus said His ministry was about.
Christopher C. Thompson is an adjunct professor in the School of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He serves as the Executive Director of Thumbs Up, Inc., and pastor of Lighthouse Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.