Unit: Luke
Theme: The Messiah Comes
Lesson Text: Luke 3:21-22; 9:18-21; 22:63-71
Supplemental Texts: Matthew 27:50-54; 8:28-29; Mark 1:1-11; Luke
9:28-36; John 1:1-18
Aim: Know without a doubt that Jesus is the Son of God.
—–
Download a PDF of this month’s lesson material (the studies by Mark Scott, the Applications by David Faust, and Discovery Questions): LOOKOUT December 2024.
Send an email to [email protected] to receive PDFs of the lesson material each month.
—–
By Mark Scott
When someone receives Jesus as the Lord of their lives (1 Corinthians 12:3) and follows that reception with baptism, we ask them what they have to say about Jesus. We often refer to that as the good confession (although it has a little different nuance than what Jesus gave to Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13). Who Jesus of Nazareth was makes what he said and did the most important words and deeds in the history of the universe.
The wording of that good confession usually assumes the language of Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In Jesus’ Jewish and Greco-Roman world, the effect of saying that he was the Son of God amounted to saying he—not Caesar—was the king.
From Heaven (3:21-22)
Luke 1-2 contains the birth and early boyhood narratives of Jesus. Luke 3 contains the preaching and ministry of John the Baptist and the very earliest days of Jesus’ ministry. Sandwiched between Jesus’ baptism and his temptation experience in the wilderness of Judea is the universal genealogy of Jesus. Maybe Luke was trying to convey that Jesus was the Son of God as declared from heaven (3:21-22) and affirmed by his earthly family (3:23-38). Then he would be tested to see what kind of Son of God he would be (4:1-13).
John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordan River with his baptism of repentance. Jesus presented himself for baptism partly to show his solidarity with the people. Luke uniquely mentioned that in the context of his baptism he was praying. At that moment heaven was opened (a sign of divine revelation), and a voice—obviously God’s—said, “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” The Father was recognizing Jesus’ divine nature (Psalm 2, 110) as well as the Father’s endearment and affirmation of Jesus’ ministry. If the Father affirmed Jesus’ sonship, who are we to deny it?
By Peter (9:18-21)
Matthew has the fullest account of this narrative (Matthew 16:13-20), but Mark and Luke also include this narrative. It is a scriptural high-water mark. Jesus is months away from the cross experience, and once again, in the context of prayer, Jesus initiated the question concerning his identity. “Who do the crowds say I am?” Jesus did not have amnesia. He knew who he was. But in this crucial moment, before heading south to Jerusalem, and standing before the huge rock formation at Caesarea-Philippi, Jesus popped the question.
The disciples gave him all the popular answers—i.e., John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets (Matthew adds Jeremiah to the list). There were good reasons why people thought such things. But Jesus narrowed the question and asked, “But what about you . . . Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” Messiah means “the rubbed off one,” or “the anointed one” (i.e. the Christ). Peter did not always say the right thing as Matthew went on to tell us (Matthew 16:22-23), but he could have done no better in the moment. He affirmed Jesus’ identity.
Before the Sanhedrin (22:63-71)
Jesus’ identity as Son of God was affirmed early in his ministry (baptism), in the thick of his ministry (Caesarea-Philippi), and in his trials (of which there were six) before his crucifixion at the end of his ministry. Before Jesus was carted off to Pilate the temple police took the liberty to mistreat Jesus. They mocked him and beat him. They blindfolded him and then asked who hit him, all the while insulting (blaspheming) him. But no amount of torture would cause Jesus to forget who he was.
The encounter that Jesus had with the elders, the chief priests, and teachers of the law at Caiaphas’ residence was ugly and evident of the logical fallacy known as “question-framing.” They asked Jesus to admit that he was the Messiah, but of course they were trying to force Jesus into a corner concerning his identity. Jesus affirmed that even if he told them they would refuse to believe.
Then Jesus took the verbal battle to them. He took the offensive. He affirmed that as Messiah they would witness the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the mighty God. Then they asked him point blank, “Are you then the Son of God?” Jesus’ reply sounded strange at first, “You say that I am.” There is no denial here or dodging the question. But essentially he is affirming their question. In other words, “Yes.” They needed no further testimony nor do we. Jesus is the Son of God—and that truth still saves people (Romans 10:9-10).
0 Comments