Learning Jesus | Week 13
Learning Jesus Week 13
The King Reclaiming His People
Key Word – Faith >> Central Passages – Day 1 (Reflection Questions = Day 5 this week)
Day 1 – Central Passage of the Week
In our last few lessons we learned that Jewish leadership rejected Jesus as Israel’s Messiah on the grounds that He performed His miracles, including the casting out of demons, through the power of Satan. That evening using the same language for rebuking a demon in possession of a person, Jesus rebuked a sudden, raging storm on the chaotic sea. That the sea immediately calmed at His command left the twelve to question in awe: “Who then is this?...”
Significantly, what follows these events is a detailed account of Scripture’s most extreme example of a demonized person. Jesus has cast out demons without asking for the demon’s name, but here He follows that standard procedure. When Jesus changes His method for healing, we can often find a purpose for His choice. So consider what His purpose for asking the name this time might be. Remember that since His rejection, Jesus is now training His apostles.
1. Read Luke 8:26-39. The name given is “Legion,” as in a legion of six thousand soldiers. Record details in each verse listed below that together reveal the man is possessed and extensively so. One verse is done for you as an example (quoted words are from English Standard Version or ESV).
2. The chart below lists seven characteristics of possession noted by W.L. Liefeld1 and also includes an eighth in the last line. On the right side, write the evidence that Jesus is “stronger” than the “strong man,” in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 12:29. One is done for you.
1 “Luke,” Vol 8 /p.913 in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Edited by F.E. Baebelein, Grand Rapids. Zondervan. 1984.
The demons question whether Jesus was here to discipline them “before the time” (see Matthew 8:29). The time the demons were referencing is when all demons shall be cast into the lake of fire once and for all at the final judgment. Until that time a demon can be disciplined by being sent to the abyss, a pit of torment within Sheol, the place of the dead. The abyss is a temporary place of judgment. Luke states that the demons request to be sent into the pigs instead of the abyss (see Luke 8:31). None of the gospel writers who include this story state why Jesus grants that request.
3. What various lessons might Jesus’ twelve apostles have learned through this healing?
Prayer -- The demons sought to destroy the man’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual being, in other words all that gave him honor as one created in the image of God. Jesus rebuked Legion and restored this man to God’s purpose in creating him. Reflect on this and take time now to praise God and seek His restoration for yourself or another person.
Additional Notes – Jesus does not let the man go with him because he is a Gentile. At this time, Gentiles may become believers, but it is not until after Pentecost that the church is birthed, and Jews and Gentiles are discipled together (see Acts 10). Jesus followed a Policy of Silence often telling healed Jews to tell no one about their healing; however, He commands this Gentile man to tell others about his healing.
In this story some note two contradictions among the gospel writers. One is that Matthew states the event took place in Gadarenes while Mark and Luke state it took place in Gesaranes. This seeming contradiction is reconciled by recognizing that Matthew is simply emphasizing the region, while Mark and Luke are focusing on the city. Another seeming contradiction is that Matthew describes two demoniacs while Mark and Luke describe only one. This seeming contradiction is resolved by recognizing that eye witnesses often focus on only one significant character. Mark and Luke only include the man who requests to follow Jesus.
Day 2 –
Since the leaders rejected Jesus as Israel’s Messiah, Jesus will now only perform miracles for Jews if they have a need and faith in Him to meet that need. You shall see Jesus applying that policy with both the healing of the older woman and the young girl.
The older woman who suffered from continuous bleeding would have been considered unclean (Lev 15:19-24, 28-30). She could neither receive nor give touch. Luke records that she touched the tassels Jews were required to wear on the border of their garment. Matthew records that Jesus looked straight at the woman, so He knew who touched Him. But by asking who touched him, Jesus gets the attention of the twelve whom He is training for ministry.
Read Luke 8:40-48.
1. How would you characterize the woman’s faith and Jesus’ response to her faith?
To witness the healing of the young girl, Jesus invites only Peter, James, and John, His inner circle among the disciples, because He is training them. He invites the girls’ parents because her father has sought Jesus in faith. No one else is allowed to visit because as Mark 5:21 states, Jesus has returned to the other side of the sea, and He is in Jewish territory where He is no longer performing public miracles due to Israel rejecting Him as Messiah.
The young girl was clearly dead, but Jesus describes her as “asleep” because Scripture views believers’ bodies after death as merely sleeping since they shall one day rise restored.
2. You are Jairus. Your only daughter is dying, but Jesus has agreed to heal her. His healing of a woman who has been ill as many years as God has given you with your daughter so far has delayed Him from attending to your daughter and now she is dead. Jesus commands you to fear not. He raises your daughter from the dead! Then He commands you to tell no one what He has done. But people, of course, will see your daughter. She can eat and walk. She is clearly alive! How might NOT talking about it, help you appreciate the Person of Jesus for the needy persons in your world, including yourself, more deeply? You might not have an answer for this today. Think about it. Pray about it.
Read Matthew 9:27-34 – These last events are included today because they reinforce some principles Jesus put into place after His rejection. Note that the two blind men address Jesus as Son of David; this is a title given for the Messiah. But Jesus does not immediately heal them. He asks if they have faith. After their declaration of faith, He heals them. In keeping with His policy of silence after His rejection, Jesus forbids them to tell anyone. For these reasons, several harmonies of the gospels place this story in Matthew as occurring before Matthew records Jesus’ official rejection in Matthew 12. Of course, each gospel is basically chronological, but only Luke claims to have adhered to a strict chronology.
3. A woman out of options, a distraught father, two blind men, and a mute demon-possessed man all came to Jesus in faith, and He healed them. What is Jesus teaching His apostles about ministry?
Day 3
In this story Jesus’ brothers are named, and we understand that He had at least two sisters. Some teach that Mary remained a virgin all her life and that these siblings are actually cousins. But note the context. Mary is named as Jesus’ mother and Joseph as His father. Then the siblings are referenced. This context clearly is referring to a family unit of parents and children. In addition, Matthew 1:25 states that Joseph kept Mary as a virgin “until” she gave birth to Jesus.
We already read in Luke 4:16-30 how when Jesus announced His ministry to His hometown of Nazareth that they responded with trying to throw Him off a cliff. In this story Jesus returns to Nazareth. As you read, note why Jesus does not do many miracles there.
1. Read Matt 13:54-58.
o How do the people in Jesus’ hometown respond to Him?
o What do you think is their motivation? Consider Jesus’ reply to their questions in verse 57.
o How does Jesus respond to their unbelief?
In Matthew 4:23, this gospel writer previews what Jesus’ three-fold ministry would be. Now Matthew states again that Jesus came to 1) teach in Jewish synagogues 2) preach the good news of the kingdom 3) heal. However, remember that Jesus has been rejected, so He is no longer offering the Messianic Kingdom to Israel; instead He is preaching a Mystery Kingdom, one for all individuals who place their faith in Christ for salvation.
Read Matt 9:35-10:4.
2. Because Jewish leadership has officially rejected Jesus as their Messiah, the people do not know who to trust. Do they trust Jesus or Jewish leadership? How does Jesus respond to this situation? Include His emotional response (9:36), His command to His disciples (9:37), and what He now chooses to give to His twelve (10:1).
3. Consider our two passages for today. What is Jesus teaching His twelve apostles about how to respond to unbelief from both their own community and leadership?
Day 4
Jesus gives very specific and practical instructions to the twelve apostles at this point in their training for the work of the Mystery Kingdom, again a kingdom now being offered to individuals not the nation. Just before His death and again after His resurrection, Jesus will give new instructions to His disciples, so this is not THE playbook for all disciples for all times.
Read Matthew 10:5-23.
Now the disciples shall be the direct receivers of any persecution and rejection as they proclaim the gospel. We have seen that Jesus has responded to persecution and rejection with both wisdom and shrewdness in order avoid being hurt or negatively impacting the goal of His work. For example, He has withdrawn from the crowds or even moved ministry into neutral territory. Note that this is the first time Jesus sent out His twelve apostles to minister without His physical presence.
1. Review Matthew 10:5-15 and list a few general principles Jesus gives to the twelve apostles at this stage in their training. One example is given for you.
Ex – At this point they are to preach only to the Jews, not to the Samaritans or the Gentiles, and tell them that they as individuals can still choose to accept Jesus as their Messiah (vs 5-7).
2. After encouraging His disciples to be shrewd as snakes and gentle as doves (v16), Jesus’ tone and content shifts because He moves to gives instructions for after His ascension when He will no longer be with the apostles and they will lead through the power of the Holy Spirit.
o What is the difference between a sheep and a wolf? (v16)
o As sheep, Jesus states the disciples must be wise or shrewd (v16). What instruction does Jesus give that show what this type of discernment looks like?
o As sheep, Jesus states the disciples are not to respond to sin against them with sin. What instruction does Jesus give that show what this type of innocence looks like?
3. Think of a person or situation where you need to be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove for the sake of the gospel. Write a prayer to God about that with today’s text in mind.
Some use Matthew 10:22 to teach that a believer can lose his or her salvation. But this verse in context of Matthew 10 needs to be read in light of Jesus’ promised judgment in mind. Here He is affirming that those who deny Him shall experience physical judgment when Jerusalem is destroyed in A.D. 70, but those who trust His word shall escape that particular physical judgment.
Day 5 = REFLECTION Questions for Group
Again the name “Beelzebul,” is a Jewish name for Satan. In this section, Jesus is referring to how the Pharisees accused Him of performing miracles through Beelzebul’s power. This led to His rejection and will soon lead to His trial and crucifixion. What happens to the King will happen to His sent ones (Matt 10:25), but Jesus’ point here is that any of this Jewish generation under judgment who claim Him as their Messiah shall be saved soul AND body.
Read Matt 10:24-11:1.
1. Separate the gist of what Jesus states in Matthew 10:24-33 into the categories below.
Jesus commands His disciples –
Jesus states these truths about His disciples’ identity –
Jesus promises His disciples that –
Jesus promises those who do not follow Him that –
2. Pretend you are talking to a young believer whose family is criticizing him for following Christ.
o Using Matthew 10:34-38, how would you encourage this young believer to stand firm?
o What reason would you give for WHY he should stand firm?
3. Consider how you are taking up your cross and losing your life as you follow Jesus step by step in your day to day. Share with your group what little “stand firms” look like.
Group Prayer
Use Matthew 10:38-39 to guide you in the will of the Father to pray over yourselves and Grace Bible Church, whose Head is Jesus Christ. (These are also the week’s memory verses)
Deep Think (Totally Optional)
All humanity dies once (Heb 9:27), and God will raise all the dead bodily and judge each person (John 5:25-30; Rev 20:4-6, 11-15). Until the final judgment the souls of unbelievers are conscious of their suffering (Luke 16:19-31; 2 Pet 2:9). Some use Matthew 10:28 that we read today to support the argument for annihilationism. This argument is based on the Greek word apollumi, which is sometimes translated as “destroy” -- “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The word “destroy” here means “to be in a lost state”; it does not mean to destroy as in “to annihilate” or “to obliterate unto nonexistence.” Those who die without trusting Jesus for their salvation shall experience judgment, both soul and body, in the lake of fire after the final judgment that precedes eternity (Matt 10:28; Rev 21:8). Their souls are not destroyed in that they cease to exist but in that they are ruined because they exist in an eternally lost state (Matt 10:28) in a wasted condition (Matt 7:13; Rom 9:22).
Now read through this week’s Deep Think a second time, but this time keep in mind someone you love who does not know Christ. When you see words like “humanity” or “unbelievers” insert that person’s name. Right now this person is living before you, and you see all that God has given him or her that draws you to them in love. You enjoy a relationship with them that your relationship with God enhances.
Each Deep Think, I conclude this way --
How does knowing all this brainy stuff lead you to worship the God of the Word? You might choose to answer this in the form of a prayer to God.
What we read is sobering truth, but it still compels us to worship our Holy God who IS Love. What would be an action of worship you could take in love for the Father and for your friend? What is a prayer you could pray right now.
COMMUNITY GROUP TIME
• Discuss the Central Passage questions. (This week that is Day 1 -- Luke 8:26-39)
• Discuss Reflection questions. (This week that is found under Day 5)
• Is anyone able to recite all or part of Matthew 10:38-39?
• Close in prayer. See Day 5 guide.
God’s joy & strength to you,
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org