Memorize: Undergoing the tempter’s tests
Key Verses: 1-2, 4, 19, 24, 29, 32, 38, 42
Satan often attacks us trying to get us to doubt who we are in Christ. He says to Jesus, “If you are…” in an effort to get Jesus to use His power for other than divine purposes. Satan knows Jesus in God, but is trying to leverage His humanity against Him. With each attack Jesus counters with Scripture. The same is true in our lives. If we are attacked, Scripture is the antidote to Satan’s poisonous lies. Truth triumphs over falsehood.
As Jesus quotes from Isaiah, he chooses a passage that speaks about the Jubilee year. Jews were supposed to honor the Lord by remembering every 50th year with a great celebration and faith. They were to not plant crops in the 49th or the 50th year as an act of faith. God would provide an abundance that would carry them across these years. Also, all debt would be completely canceled. Even if you were in debtors prison, you were freed. Land was returned to the original owners, if it was sold to pay a debt. Jesus brings release from our spiritual debt. We who were prisoners to sin’s power are set free. And Jesus demonstrates that power to bring the Jubilee by escaping their attempt to murder him for this claim. He then drives out a demon and heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others to demonstrate His authority.
Gentiles accepted Elijah & Elisha, but Israel rejected. The Jews want to kill him because of His claims, but they can’t very well kill Him if He slips away from their grasp. They can’t silence Him when His words get fulfilled and undeniable miracles happen when He is around.
Jesus authority gets demonstrated in His actions. The demon is cast out in front of eye witnesses. Healing takes place at His hands.
Notice that the passage begins and ends with authority. Luke is giving us a key to understanding the way he is going to make his points. Luke shows Jesus talking about a characteristic He has, and then proves it with example of that characteristic. Jesus teaches then He proves the teaching by performing a miracle. Truth and proof.
REVIEW: Acts
The Arnold Journey 