Topic 7 Ministry and Message of JesusSlide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Topic 7 Topic 7 Ministry and Message of JesusMinistry and Message of JesusA.A.Before the Public MinistryBefore the Public Ministry1.1.Birth (Mt. 1-2; Lk. 1-2)Birth (Mt. 1-2; Lk. 1-2)a.a.Mary and JosephMary and Joseph – engaged b – engaged but not sexually consummatedut not sexually consummatedb.b.Virgin Birth Virgin Birth – signals that God is about to act once again– signals that God is about to act once againc.c.Bethlehem Bethlehem – born in David’s hometown; messianic implications– born in David’s hometown; messianic implicationsd.d.Nazareth Nazareth – grew up in obscure peasant village– grew up in obscure peasant village2.2.John the Baptist (Mk. 1:1-8) John the Baptist (Mk. 1:1-8) a.a.Eschatological prophet: repent before the coming judgment.Eschatological prophet: repent before the coming judgment.b.b.Forerunner of Messiah: Forerunner of Messiah: prepares way for “one greater than I.”prepares way for “one greater than I.”3.3.Baptism of Jesus (Mk. 1:9-11)Baptism of Jesus (Mk. 1:9-11)a.a.Jesus’ baptism by John is considered historically certain.Jesus’ baptism by John is considered historically certain.b.b.Called to prophetic mission as “servant Messiah.”Called to prophetic mission as “servant Messiah.”c.c.Empowered by Spirit of God to fulfill that task.Empowered by Spirit of God to fulfill that task.4.4.Temptation (Mt. 4:1-11)Temptation (Mt. 4:1-11) – 40 days of “testing;” tempted to be – 40 days of “testing;” tempted to be a “false messiah” (using short-cut methods to seek worldly power, etc.)a “false messiah” (using short-cut methods to seek worldly power, etc.)B.B.Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.)Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.)After John’s arrest, Jesus returned to Galilee; began ministry of a After John’s arrest, Jesus returned to Galilee; began ministry of a wandering prophet and rabbi. Four main types of activity:wandering prophet and rabbi. Four main types of activity:1.1.Preaching and teaching – four main themes:Preaching and teaching – four main themes:a.a.Arrival of “Kingdom of God” (Mk. 1:14-15)Arrival of “Kingdom of God” (Mk. 1:14-15)Central theme in Jesus’ teaching.Central theme in Jesus’ teaching.Final reign of God – when he intervenes to destroy evil, set Final reign of God – when he intervenes to destroy evil, set things right, and redeem his people. (See “apocalyptic things right, and redeem his people. (See “apocalyptic eschatology” in BPJM, 77.)eschatology” in BPJM, 77.)Nearness of Kingdom demands repentance, faith, and right Nearness of Kingdom demands repentance, faith, and right living.living.Parable of Mustard Seed (Mk. 4:30-32): Kingdom of God is Parable of Mustard Seed (Mk. 4:30-32): Kingdom of God is already present…but not yet in its fullness.already present…but not yet in its fullness.b.b.Good news for the needyGood news for the needyJesus offered hope to the poor, the sick, and the sinners – Jesus offered hope to the poor, the sick, and the sinners – kingdom of God brings justice, healing, and forgiveness.kingdom of God brings justice, healing, and forgiveness.Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12; Lk. 4:18-23) confer God’s blessing on the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12; Lk. 4:18-23) confer God’s blessing on the needy who depend on him.needy who depend on him.Does not reserve God’s kingdom for the specially righteous but Does not reserve God’s kingdom for the specially righteous but welcomes sinners freely. welcomes sinners freely. Sometimes says directly, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk. 2:5).Sometimes says directly, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk. 2:5).Table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners demonstrates Table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners demonstrates their forgiveness (Mk. 2:14-17).their forgiveness (Mk. 2:14-17).Parable of Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32) Parable of Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32) – – father’s joyous welcome of father’s joyous welcome of wayward son depicts God’s eagerness to forgive sinners who repent.wayward son depicts God’s eagerness to forgive sinners who repent.B.B.Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.) Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.) – four types of activity:– four types of activity:1.1.Preaching and teaching (cont.)Preaching and teaching (cont.)c.c.Demand for radical obedienceDemand for radical obedienceObedience must transcend letter of Law (Mt. 5:17-48).Obedience must transcend letter of Law (Mt. 5:17-48).Heart of God’s will is the “double love commandment” – this Heart of God’s will is the “double love commandment” – this “Great Commandment” sums up whole Law (Mt. 22:34-40):“Great Commandment” sums up whole Law (Mt. 22:34-40):Love God with all your heart (quoting Deut. 6:5).Love God with all your heart (quoting Deut. 6:5).Love neighbor as yourself (quoting Lev. 19:18; cf. Mt. 7:12 – Love neighbor as yourself (quoting Lev. 19:18; cf. Mt. 7:12 – “Golden Rule”). “Golden Rule”). For Jesus, love of God and neighbor are inseparable – neglect For Jesus, love of God and neighbor are inseparable – neglect of one impairs the other. Together, they fulfill the whole law.of one impairs the other. Together, they fulfill the whole law.Parable of Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37) – the one who acted Parable of Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37) – the one who acted like a neighbor was the despised enemy; love of neighbor must like a neighbor was the despised enemy; love of neighbor must include even the enemy.include even the enemy.d.d.Fatherhood of GodFatherhood of GodGod knows/supplies our needs (Mt. 6:24-34; 7:7-11).God knows/supplies our needs (Mt. 6:24-34; 7:7-11).Privileged to address God as “Abba” – Aramaic child’s word for Privileged to address God as “Abba” – Aramaic child’s word for father – as Jesus did (Mk. 14:36; cf. Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6). father – as Jesus did (Mk. 14:36; cf. Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6). Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) – addresses God as heavenly Father; Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) – addresses God as heavenly Father; prays for coming of God’s kingdom on earth, for daily needs, and prays for coming of God’s kingdom on earth, for daily needs, and for forgiveness of sins; acknowledges duty to do God’s will and for forgiveness of sins; acknowledges duty to do