N E T W O R K O F G L O R Y Reason Jesus Came! 1 Then Jesus, full of (and controlled by) the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (desert), 2 where He was tempted (tested) by the devil for forty days. 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit s power. Reports about Him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released (freedom), that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the LORD s favor has come. 31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 32 There, too, the people were amazed at His teaching, for He spoke with authority. 36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, What authority and power this Man s words possess! Even evil (unclean) spirits obey Him, and they flee at His command! 40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of His (Jesus) hand healed everyone. 42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for Him, and when they finally found Him, they begged Him not to leave them. 43 But He replied, I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent. Luke 4:1-2, 14-19, 31-32, 36, 40, 42-43, New Living Translation 2 nd Edition The Gospels declare that Jesus central or main reason for coming from His Father, the living LORD God of heaven and earth, was to teach and preach the Good News of God s Kingdom (Luke 4:43; e.g., see also; Matthew 5:3, 10; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 24:14; Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1; John 3:3-5; Acts 1:2-3). Jesus was on a mission from God to announce and invite EVERYONE Jews, Gentiles (non-jews), black, white, young, old, men, and women into God s glorious Kingdom NOW through 1
our faith (trusting in God) and repentance (turning from sin) (e.g., see Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17, 23; Matthew 22:1-14; Mark 1:14-15)! During His earthly ministry, Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom (e.g., see Matthew 9:35). The LORD of Heaven s Armies sent His Son Jesus to proclaim the Good News (also known as the Gospel or Message) of God's Kingdom (see Luke 4:43). Indeed, Jesus brought God s Kingdom with Him, and He generously gave everyone through faith in Him the rich blessings of God s Kingdom healing, restoration, deliverance, wisdom, and salvation (e.g., see Matthew 4:17, 23-25; Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 15:30; Mark 1:14-15, 21-26, 29-34, 39-45; Luke 4:18-19, 40-41; Luke 7:21-23; Luke 19:10; Acts 10:38). To preach this Good News of God s Kingdom, Jesus s Father the living LORD of Heaven s Armies anointed His Son Jesus with an abundance of the Holy Spirit s power and authority (Luke 1:31-33, 35; Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:1, 14, 18-19; see also e.g., Isaiah 11:1-2; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 17:5; John 1:32-33; John 3:2, 34-36; Acts 10:38; Peter 1:17). Truly, the fullness of God was with Jesus (e.g., see John 1:1, 14, 16; John 14:9; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9-10). Moreover, Jesus was the long-awaited King and Messiah, which means the Anointed One of God, predicted to come in the Old Testament prophecies from the family line of King David (e.g., see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Daniel 9:24-26; Matthew 1:1, 16-18; Matthew 2:2; Matthew 11:13; Matthew 16:16; Luke 2:26; Luke 9:20; John 1:41; John 4:25-26; John 6:69; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:36; Romans 1:3-4). Likewise, Jesus the Messiah was a great Teacher of God. Jesus often taught and preached in the towns and villages throughout the Palestine region about God s Kingdom (e.g., see Matthew 4:23; Matthew 11:1; Luke 4:14-16; John 6:59; John 18:20). The people were amazed and praised Jesus authoritative and wise sermons (Luke 4:15, 31-32, 36; see also Matthew 13:54; Mark 1:21). Jesus words were gracious, powerful, and doctrinal sound (e.g., see Matthew 7:28-29; Matthew 8:27; Luke 4:22, 32). While on earth, Jesus spoke the TRUTH of God s Word, instead of merely quoting the opinions of others as His authority (e.g., see Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32, 36; John 7:46). 2
In the opening chapters of Luke s Gospel, Jesus was teaching and preaching in the Jewish synagogues when He was given the Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah (see Luke 4:15-16, 31; see also Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:1-2). Jesus announced to the listening crowd: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed (chosen) Me to preach the Gospel (Good News) to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance (freedom) to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty (free) them that are bruised (broken, burden), 19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19, King James Version Definitely, the living LORD God of Heaven s Armies anointed His Son Jesus the Messiah by the Holy Spirit to bring His salvation, healing, grace, kindness, and deliverance as promised by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 42:1, 6-7; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 49:8-9; Isaiah 61:1-2; see also Matthew 1:21, 23; Matthew 11:5-6; Matthew 12:18; John 3:34; Acts 1:2; Acts 4:12). As He traveled throughout all the towns and villages preaching the Good News of God s Kingdom, Jesus healed EVERY kind of disease, sickness, unclean spirit, severe pain, and illness (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 12:15; Matthew 19:2; Luke 4:38-41; Luke 6:19; Acts 2:22). Jesus had mercy and compassion for hurting and oppressed people (e.g., see Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 12:18-21; Matthew 14:14). Even more, Jesus was delivering people through faith in Him into God s glorious Kingdom and away from Satan s destructive and deadly kingdom (e.g., see Luke 4:33-35, 40-41; Luke 13:15-16)! The Gospels declare that Jesus brought freedom and deliverance from Satan, who only comes to kill, steal, and destroy, as predicted by the prophet Isaiah (e.g., see Isaiah 49:9; Matthew 12:28-29; Luke 11:20-22; John 8:36, 44). The living LORD God of Heaven s Armies sent His Son Jesus to destroy Satan s evil and destructive work (e.g., see Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8). Jesus taught His disciples to pray and ask His Father, the living LORD God, to keep them safely within God s Kingdom and away from Satan and his evil works (e.g., see Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4; John 17:15l 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 4:18). The living LORD of Heaven s Armies was ready to give everyone His Kingdom s blessings which came to His Son Jesus by faith (e.g., see Isaiah 61:2-3). 3
In fact, John the Baptist heard about Jesus goodness while unjustly imprisoned for speaking against Herod and his wife, who violated God s Law (e.g., see Matthew 11:2; see also Matthew 14:3-5). John the Baptist was faithful to God, and he proclaimed the righteous standards of God (e.g., see Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:3-8). Moreover, John the Baptist and Jesus were blood-related, as John s mother Elizabeth was related to Jesus s mother Mary (see Luke 1:36). Both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were great messengers sent from the living LORD God as predicted in the Old Testament promises (Matthew 11:9-10; see also e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16; John 1:6-7; John 3:16, 28; John 5:37; Acts 13:23). John the Baptist shined brightly for the living LORD God on earth because John came in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah to announce the Messiah s arrival (Matthew 11:11, 14; see also Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:17). For all the Prophets and God's Law were announced until John the Baptist and teamed up with John in proclaiming and preparing the way for the Messiah of the Kingdom (Matthew 11:13; see also Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 3:3-6; Luke 16:16-17). John the Baptist heard about Jesus miracles, and he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah the world had been waiting to arrive (Matthew 11:3, 13; see also Luke 7:18-20). Jesus announced to John s disciples to inform John what was going on: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to new life, and the poor of the earth learn that God is on their side (e.g., see Matthew 11:4-6; John 9:39). At that very time, Jesus was healing many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind, as predicted by the prophet Isaiah (e.g., see Isaiah 29:18-19; Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 7:21-23). Nevertheless, Jesus proclaimed to the listening crowd that even the lowliest person in God s Kingdom would be greater than John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:11)! God s Kingdom is the power and the glory forever (e.g., see Matthew 6:13). Jesus announced from the days of John the Baptist until now people have tried to violently force themselves into the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom has been advancing (Matthew 11:12; see also Luke 16:16). 4
Jesus taught in proclaiming the Good News of God s Kingdom that He came not to bring peace on the earth but a sword to destroy and defeat the evil works of Satan s kingdom (e.g., see Matthew 10:34-36; Luke 12:51-53). The arrival of God s Kingdom brings conflicts! As the Kingdom of God comes into anyone s life, Jesus defeats the evil ruler of this age and plunders the strongman's house (e.g., see Isaiah 49:24-26; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21-22; John 16:33; Romans 8:37; Ephesians 6:10-11, 13). JESUS IS THE STRONGER MAN that defeats Satan s destructive forces in your life! Through His Son Jesus, the LORD God of heaven establishes His reign. Jesus defeats and destroys Satan s presence in people s lives and hearts (e.g., see Acts 10:38). Thus, the Kingdom of God with its dawning and acceptance into one s hearts and lives create opposition, violence, and anger by Satan (e.g., see Mark 1:23-26, 34; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:1-15; Mark 9:17-26; Luke 4:34-35, 40-41). Satan is dominated by selfishness, pride, and wickedness. As the Kingdom of God dawns, it is in a direct threat to Satan and his kingdom. This leads to violence! One of the clear signs of the presence of God s Kingdom in one s life and heart is deliverance from evil! Therefore, REPENT and COME TO JESUS (e.g., see Matthew 11:20, 28). All things on heaven and earth have been entrusted and given to Jesus by His Father, the LORD God of heaven and earth (e.g., see Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; John 13:3; Acts 17:24-25; Hebrews 1:1-3). The Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) is the Head over every power, spirit, and authority (e.g., see Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:10, 20-22; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:22). Jesus promised that everyone who comes to Him would live freely and lightly (e.g., see Matthew 11:28). Jesus the Messiah came from the living LORD God to bring His Father s love, mercy, liberation, deliverance, and freedom from sin, bondage, evil, and sickness for ALL PEOPLE Jews and Gentiles (non-jews) through faith, goodness, and obedience (e.g., see Ecclesiastes 3:12-14; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Isaiah 64:5; Luke 4:18-21, 25-27; Acts 10:34-35; Acts 13:38; Romans 10:12-13)! The Kingdom of God has no boundaries, and ALL ARE WELCOME through faith in Jesus (e.g., see Hebrews 4:14-16). There are salvation and peace with the LORD God of heaven through His Son Jesus, who is Lord of all (e.g., see Isaiah 53:11; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:36, 43; Romans 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). 5
References Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987). ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). Message Bible (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002). The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971). Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008). Melton, Loyd, Senior Professor of New Testament (Due West Campus, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2018). 6