Luke 7: A “Chapter” in Jesus’ Life (3)
Unyime Akpan - October 15
Luke 7:18-35
An imprisoned prophet, makes a request to Jesus
Hoping Jesus will perform a miracle for him
Jesus declares John the Baptist the greatest person that ever lived
A sinful woman demonstrates faith in Jesus for spiritual healing
A woman of low standing has a need
Jesus performs the greatest miracle, salvation, spiritual resurrection
Key Biblical Passages on the Life of John the Baptist
Matthew 3:1-17; Matthew 11:1-15
Luke 1:5-24; 39-45; 57-80; Luke 3:1-21; Luke 7:18-35
Mark 1:1-11;
John 1:1-34; John 3:22-36
Portrait of a Great Life
Before John was imprisoned
It was prophesied that John will be great before his birth
John prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ)
John introduced the Messiah to Israel
John voluntarily exit the stage for the Messiah
It was prophesied that John will be great before his birth
Luke 1:12-17
John’s job description - Luke 1:67,76-77, 79-80
John –God is gracious
True greatness is before God and not the world
Not guaranteed John will live up to the prophesies
Zachariah and Elizabeth trained John
Obeyed & spoke to John about Gabriel’s prophesy and John’s mission
Training focused on obedience to God’s word
Training not focused on material/physical prosperity and achievements
Adult John: home: wilderness, food: locust and honey, cloth: camel’s hair
John Prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ)
World’s greatest people
Roman rulers: Tiberius Caeser, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip; Lysanias
The high priests: Annas and Caiaphas –Israel’s greatest men
John, ‘a world’s nobody’
God’s word came to John and he obeyed
Jesus identified John as a great man
Luke 3:2-6
Luke 3:7-15
Mark 1:1-8
John’s physical/material lifestyle (wealthy?)
Not named among ‘the world greatest men at the time’
Home: wilderness (and figuratively the state of the Israel)
Cloth: camel hair (dressed for success?)
Food: locust and honey (culinary delight?)
Very simple and below ordinary lifestyle
John’s message
repent for forgiveness of sin, show fruit of repentance
uncompromising message, popular with the common people.
message not popular with the religious elites
proclaimed forgiveness in the wilderness, (not at the temple with animal sacrifices)
Message centered on repentance and forgiveness without temple sacrifice
Johns Audience
all Judea, all Jerusalem
very popular and successful ministry
John had the chance ‘to make it’ but he did not take his chance
Most thought John was the expected Christ (Messiah)
John introduced Jesus
He comes after me, mightier than I
I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals strap.
Compared to Jesus, John considered himself lower than a Jewish slave
What we learn about John so far
John –the first name assigned in the New testament
John -God is gracious (new testament begins with God’s grace)
True greatness is before God and not the world
John’s parent were faithful to the word of God
John was:
Obedient and faithful to his calling and did not aim to be great
Proclaimed uncompromising message of repentance & forgiveness
Very simple and below ordinary physical/material lifestyle
Was not carried away by his success -large crowd, messiah expectation
A very humble man, compared to Jesus, John saw himself lower than a Jewish slave
What made John great? Answer: John had the mind of Christ (a humble attitude)
Philippians 2:5-11
