Sunday, January 2, 2011 am
THE
LIFE OF JESUS (9)
Footprints of Jesus
Today we resume our study of the life of Jesus.
One of themes I would like to focus on this year is to examine
the life of Jesus. Last year
we began this study by examining His coming to this earth, His birth and
childhood, and we have examined events associated with the beginning of
His ministry. In our lesson
today we want to begin studying what Jesus did and how He taught
throughout His 3 ½ ministry upon this earth.
It is important that we regularly consider such things because He
ought to at the forefront on everything we do.
In examining His teachings and service we learn how to deal with
problems, proper attitudes, how to teach and what to teach and so many
other things that will prepare us to stand before Him in judgment and in
faithfulness receive a crown of life.
Today’s lesson will be an overview of His life and work while
upon this earth. Beginning
with our next lesson we will examine in more detail various elements of
His life and make application.
NOTE: We often make reference in scripture to the ministry of
Jesus. What we usually have
in mind is the time in His life when He did His work beginning with His
baptism and temptation and culminating with His death, burial and
resurrection. It was during
this time that Jesus prepared those who would carry the message after He
fulfilled His work of dying for our sins.
The bulk of the gospels are dedicated to this time in His life as
it prepared Him and us for His sacrifice.
It is from His life and teachings during this time that we make
many applications to our lives by His example (John 13:15, 1 Peter
2:21-23, etc.). But before
we begin, I want to make a quick observation.
The term ministry, which is used some 25 times in the New
Testament (NKJV), is not found in the gospels.
The term from which ministry is derived is found about 34 times
in the NT (ministry, ministering, service, etc) and only once in the
Gospels (Luke 10:40 where it has reference to Martha serving).
It is a form of the word from which we derive our English word
deacon and describes a servant or the work entrusted to him (hence his
ministry). Neither term is
used in reference to Jesus OR His work.
Nevertheless, it IS clear that Jesus came to serve (Mark 10:45,
John 4:34, etc.) and His work clearly fits our understanding of the term
ministry. However, we could
refer to His work as His service which more broadly reminds us of what
He was doing.
a.
He was
born in Bethlehem, briefly fled to Egypt as an infant, was raised in
Nazareth, was baptized in the Jordan River, was tempted in the
wilderness, lived in the region of Galilee (Capernaum, etc.), visited
Jerusalem for Passover feasts, and died there outside the gates of the
city.
b.
During His
earthly ministry He traveled in a region approximately 100 miles long
(N-S) by 50 miles wide (W-E).
He traveled hundreds, if not thousands of miles during the 3
years of His earthly sojourn.
In our lesson today we want to notice
some places where His footprints led. They led Jesus:
a.
We have
noted the baptism of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 3:13-17.
We are told that He did it, “for
thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Whatever is associated with that, we KNOW that it includes His
willingness to obey the commands of God the Father.
b.
But even
more than that, it was the beginning of His ministry.
Just as Jesus in baptism began His work, so we in the waters of
baptism begin our walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4), putting on our
Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27).
c.
The
obedience of Jesus would become a pattern throughout His ministry.
Philippians 2:8 says that our Lord became “obedient to the point
of death.”
Heb. 5:8 says the He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
John 5:30 Jesus during His life said, “I
can of Myself do nothing. As
I hear, I judge; and My
judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of
the Father who sent Me.”
John 17:4 as He prayed, He said, “I have finished the work which You
have given Me to do.”
d.
Like
Jesus, we need to obey the Father – Heb. 5:9 says that Jesus “became the
author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
III.
To
a life of testing –
a.
Immediately after His baptism, he was driven into the wilderness where
He was tempted by the Devil for 40 days and nights (Matt. 4:1-11).
b.
Throughout
His life and work He was continually tempted.
It was NOT a one time event.
Luke 4:13 says after these events that the devil left Him “until
an opportune time.”
As we examine the life of Jesus we will see times of discouragement and
other times of testing.
c.
But He
overcame – with the word (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10).
Luke 22:28 finds Jesus saying to His disciples, “But you are
those who have continued with Me in MY trials.”
Heb. 4:15 tells us He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without
sin.
d.
Like
Jesus, when we face temptations, we need to overcome as well.
Let us learn to use scripture as He did and put on the “gospel
armor” (Eph. 6:10-18).
IV.
They led Him to worship the Father -
a.
Worship
was important to Jesus – HE went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, “as
was His custom” – Luke 4:16.
As a Jew He attended the Passover feasts yearly and kept the Law.
There was nothing of which Jesus could be convicted, even by His critics
(cf. John 8:46), because He did what He was supposed to do.
In fact, the ONLY criticisms levied against Him as to worship was His
refusal to follow their manmade traditions (Matt. 15:1-2).
b.
Jesus
taught the importance of proper worship – Many of the criticisms and
condemnations Jesus faced came because He PROPERLY observed the Law of
God and taught men to do so (cf. Matt. 5:17-20, 23:2-3a).
John 4:23-24 finds Him instructing the Samaritan woman about
proper worship toward God.
c.
Worshipping God ought to be important to us, as we consider the life of
Jesus. Heb. 10:25 commands us to not forsake assembling together.
The reason we assemble is to worship God (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor.
11:18-20, 14:26– “when you come together” – NOTE: The text does NOT
condemn coming together but their improper conduct when they did
assemble).
V.
They led Him out of worship to service –
a.
His
service to God did not end at the doors of the synagogue or temple.
He went out and lived the life.
His life was a life of service.
Acts 10:38 is a good
summary of His ministry, “How God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went
about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for
God was with Him.”
Matt. 4:23-25 says, “And
Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all
kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all
Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with
various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed,
epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes
followed Him — from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and
beyond the Jordan. ”
Mark. 10:45
says, “For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many.”
b.
His
demeanor was compassionate and loving – He truly cared and was not
harsh, except with the hypocritical leaders whose lives led many astray.
c.
Similarly,
our lives as Christians MUST consist of more than assembling together.
We need to care about others and do good as we have opportunity
(Gal. 6:10, Matt. 25:31-46, etc.)
a.
Jesus was
concerned about souls – everyone’s souls.
Not only did He act with compassion toward others, He also sought
to teach.
Mark 1:38 says, “But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach
there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
He taught all who would give Him an audience with a good and
honest heart (He even taught some without a good heart).
He taught those who were shunned by others (cf. John 4:1-26,
Zacchaeus – Lk. 19:1-10, etc.).
He taught leaders (John 3:1-8, even if they were not fully
committed to Him – i.e. He gave them time).
The point is that He realized His purpose was to “seek and save
that which was lost” (Lk. 19:9-10, Matt. 9:12-13).
b.
We need to
seriously consider our need to seek and save the lost around us – 2 Cor.
5:11, Acts 8:4.
VII.
They led Him to places of solitude –
a.
Even in
His busy life, Jesus found times to pray and be alone (Matt. 14:13, Mark
6:30-32). He spent time,
sometimes all night, in prayer – Luke 6:12.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, a place that He probably frequented when in
that region, Jesus was praying and waiting when He was betrayed.
b.
Every
Christian needs times alone with God – we need time to rest and we need
time in privacy to pray and study (Matt. 6:6).
VIII.
They led Him to the cross –
a.
Where
Jesus fulfilled His purpose dying for us on that cross – John 10:15
speaks of Jesus dying for His sheep.
Interestingly, in John 11:50-52 when Caiaphas, the high priest
determined it was time for Jesus to die, he did not realize that he was
fulfilling prophecy, but he was.
It was in His death that His purpose culminated (John 17:4) and where we
will find salvation.
b.
As we
learn of Jesus it ought to lead us to the cross as well –
Eph. 1:27 we read, “In
Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace.”
Gal 6:14 says, “But
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ.”
IX.
They led Him out of the grave –
a.
The life
of Jesus did not end at the grave.
Our hope lies in the resurrection of Jesus.
All four gospels reveal that on
the first day of the week He arose from the dead.
It was His resurrection that gave His disciples hope and it is
what gives us hope as well.
b.
In 1 Cor.
15 we learn of the hope we have in the resurrection.
1 Cor. 15:1-7 declares that He did arise.
And then Paul expounds upon its significance in our lives.
(vs. 12-19).
c.
We know that whatever we face in
this life, it will be worth it because Jesus arose.
And so will we!
X.
They led Him to the ascension –
a.
Having
finished His work, Jesus was caught up to heaven (Acts 1:9-11).
While He is not upon this earth right now, we take comfort in His
ascension. It
demonstrates His triumph over Satan and all that is in this world.
It reminds us that He is seated at the right hand of God and
reigning and will continue to do so until all enemies are put under His
feet (1 Cor. 15:25).
b.
There He
prepares a place for us and He intercedes for us – John 14:1-3, Heb.
7:25.
c.
Is our
desire to always be with Him “in the air”? 1 Thess. 4:17.
And thus we have briefly noted some of
the footsteps Jesus took while upon this earth.
He did this for us and we ought to give His life due
consideration. Some of the
things we have mentioned today we have already discussed.
Others will be examined in much greater detail throughout the
coming weeks and this year.
It is my goal that in studying these things we will be reminded to
better appreciate our Lord and all that He did for us.
May we seek to live our lives with Him, for Him and as He lived.
May our studies help us to do just that!