Embracing Jesus' Expansive Mission Through Diverse Perspectives
Summary
In today's message, we explored the unique storytelling styles of the Gospel writers and how these reflect their perspectives and audiences. Just as married couples might tell the same story differently, each Gospel writer—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—chose distinct ways to present the life and ministry of Jesus. This diversity in storytelling is not about right or wrong but about the richness of perspectives that help us understand Jesus' life more fully. We are embarking on a study of the Gospel of Luke, a narrative crafted by a highly educated Greek doctor who sought to provide an orderly account of Jesus' life.
Luke's Gospel begins with a focus on Jesus' visit to Nazareth, his hometown, where he reads from the scroll of Isaiah. This moment is pivotal as it sets the tone for Jesus' mission: to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free. This passage from Isaiah serves as a mission statement for Jesus, and everything that follows in Luke's Gospel fleshes out this mission. Jesus' baptism is seen as his anointing, empowering him for this mission, and similarly, our baptisms invite us into Jesus' mission, calling us to continue his work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The reaction of the people in Nazareth to Jesus' message is mixed. Initially, they are amazed by his words, but when he challenges their narrow-mindedness and exclusivity, they turn against him. This reflects a broader theme of resistance to Jesus' inclusive mission, which extends beyond cultural and geographical boundaries. Jesus' mission is not limited to one group but is expansive, reaching out to all people, including those considered outsiders.
As we reflect on this, we are invited to examine our own hearts. Are there ways in which we, like the people of Nazareth, resist the expansive love of God? Are we willing to join Jesus in his mission, or do we hold onto a "me first" attitude? The mission of Jesus is ongoing, and we are invited to be part of it, bringing blessings to all people everywhere. As a church, we yearn to live into this mission more fully, sharing the love of Christ with everyone.
Key Takeaways:
- Diverse Storytelling in the Gospels: Each Gospel writer presents Jesus' story uniquely, reflecting their perspectives and audiences. This diversity enriches our understanding of Jesus' life and mission, reminding us that there is no single way to tell a story. We are invited to appreciate the different angles and insights each Gospel offers. [03:11]
- Jesus' Mission Statement: Jesus' reading from Isaiah in Nazareth serves as a mission statement for his ministry. He is anointed to bring good news to the poor, freedom to prisoners, and sight to the blind. This mission is not just historical but continues today, inviting us to participate in bringing hope and healing to the world. [09:17]
- Baptism as Anointing: Just as Jesus' baptism marked his anointing for ministry, our baptisms invite us into Jesus' mission. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue his work, bringing blessings and transformation to those around us. This is a call to live out our faith actively and purposefully. [23:13]
- Resistance to Jesus' Inclusive Mission: The people of Nazareth initially welcomed Jesus' words but resisted when he challenged their exclusivity. This reflects a common human tendency to resist change and cling to familiar boundaries. We are called to examine our own hearts and embrace the expansive love of God that reaches beyond our comfort zones. [29:50]
- Joining Jesus' Mission: Jesus' mission is ongoing, and we are invited to be part of it. This involves expanding our hearts to love all people, advocating for justice, and sharing the good news of Christ. As a church, we strive to live into this mission, bringing the love of Christ to everyone we encounter. [38:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:11] - Storytelling Styles
- [02:02] - Gospel Writers' Perspectives
- [03:11] - Beginning the Study of Luke
- [04:32] - Jesus' Mission in Nazareth
- [06:22] - The Significance of Nazareth
- [07:08] - Jesus' Hometown and Ministry
- [08:13] - Luke's Narrative Focus
- [09:17] - Jesus' Mission Statement
- [10:44] - Reading from Isaiah
- [12:44] - The Spirit's Empowerment
- [13:56] - Anointing and Mission
- [15:59] - Proclaiming Good News
- [18:07] - Freedom and Healing
- [19:43] - Expanding God's Love
- [23:13] - Baptism as Anointing
- [29:50] - Resistance in Nazareth
- [38:04] - Joining Jesus' Mission
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 4:16-21: Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in Nazareth, declaring his mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free.
#### Observation Questions
1. How does the Gospel of Luke begin its account of Jesus' ministry, and why is this significant? [04:32]
2. What specific passage does Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah, and what does he declare about it? [09:17]
3. How do the people of Nazareth initially react to Jesus' message, and what changes their attitude? [25:11]
4. What examples from Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Luke illustrate his mission as described in Isaiah? [16:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Luke have chosen to highlight Jesus' reading from Isaiah as a pivotal moment in his Gospel? [09:17]
2. How does Jesus' mission statement challenge the cultural and religious boundaries of his time? [29:07]
3. In what ways does the reaction of the people in Nazareth reflect common human tendencies when faced with challenging truths? [29:50]
4. How does the concept of baptism as anointing relate to the mission of Jesus and the calling of believers today? [23:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the diverse storytelling styles of the Gospel writers. How can appreciating these different perspectives enrich your understanding of Jesus' life and mission? [03:11]
2. Jesus' mission was to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. How can you actively participate in this mission in your community? [09:17]
3. Consider your own baptism or spiritual commitment. In what ways do you feel called to continue Jesus' work through the power of the Holy Spirit? [23:13]
4. The people of Nazareth resisted Jesus' inclusive mission. Are there areas in your life where you resist expanding your love and compassion beyond familiar boundaries? [29:50]
5. Jesus' mission is ongoing, and we are invited to be part of it. What steps can you take to expand your heart and advocate for justice and love for all people? [38:04]
6. Reflect on a time when you may have prioritized your own needs or comfort over the broader mission of Jesus. How can you shift your focus to align more closely with his mission? [38:04]
7. How can your church community support each other in living out the mission of Jesus more fully, sharing the love of Christ with everyone? [40:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Diverse Perspectives in the Gospels
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each present the life and ministry of Jesus through unique storytelling styles, reflecting the distinct perspectives and audiences of their authors. This diversity is not about determining which account is right or wrong but rather appreciating the richness of perspectives that help us understand Jesus' life more fully. Just as different people might recount the same event with varying details and emphases, the Gospel writers offer us a multifaceted view of Jesus' mission and message. By studying these diverse accounts, we are invited to see the depth and breadth of Jesus' impact and to appreciate the different angles and insights each Gospel offers. [03:11]
Matthew 13:52 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.'"
Reflection: How can you open your heart to appreciate the diverse perspectives of others, especially when it comes to understanding Jesus' teachings?
Day 2: Jesus' Mission of Liberation
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus begins his ministry by reading from the scroll of Isaiah in Nazareth, outlining his mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom to prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. This passage serves as a mission statement for Jesus, setting the tone for his ministry and the transformative work he would undertake. Jesus' mission is not just a historical event but a living call that continues today, inviting us to participate in bringing hope and healing to the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this mission in our own lives, reaching out to those in need and advocating for justice and compassion. [09:17]
Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in Jesus' mission of liberation and healing in your community today?
Day 3: Baptism as Empowerment for Mission
Just as Jesus' baptism marked his anointing and empowerment for ministry, our baptisms invite us into Jesus' mission. Through baptism, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus' work, bringing blessings and transformation to those around us. This is a call to live out our faith actively and purposefully, recognizing that we are part of a larger mission that extends beyond ourselves. Our baptism is not just a personal milestone but a commissioning to join in the ongoing work of Christ, sharing his love and grace with the world. [23:13]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: How can you use the empowerment of your baptism to actively engage in Jesus' mission in your daily life?
Day 4: Overcoming Resistance to Jesus' Inclusive Mission
The people of Nazareth initially welcomed Jesus' words but resisted when he challenged their exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. This reflects a common human tendency to resist change and cling to familiar boundaries. Jesus' mission is expansive, reaching out to all people, including those considered outsiders. As followers of Christ, we are called to examine our own hearts and embrace the inclusive love of God that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. This requires us to confront our own biases and be willing to step out of our comfort zones to extend God's love to everyone. [29:50]
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you resist God's inclusive love? How can you begin to overcome these barriers today?
Day 5: Joining Jesus' Ongoing Mission
Jesus' mission is ongoing, and we are invited to be part of it. This involves expanding our hearts to love all people, advocating for justice, and sharing the good news of Christ. As a church, we strive to live into this mission, bringing the love of Christ to everyone we encounter. This is not just a call for individual action but a collective effort to embody the values of the Kingdom of God in our communities and beyond. By joining Jesus' mission, we become agents of change, working together to bring about a world that reflects God's love and justice. [38:04]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to join Jesus' mission in your community, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Quotes
"Have you ever listened to a married couple telling a story together? I hear some laughs. I think you know where I'm going with this. It can be quite an experience when a married couple is telling a story together as they jump in and correct each other on detail. I'm hearing some elbows and some ouches out there. Why does that happen? It's not just because we remember details differently. It's because we all have our own unique way of framing stories, which details to include, what to leave out, what emotion to tell." [00:00:27] (44 seconds)
"So our gospel stories, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the gospel writers make the same kinds of decisions when each of them decided what to include as they were sort of guided by the Spirit and remembering events and things that they have done. And so, learned and seen. They write it down differently. So, for example, Matthew and Luke start with the day of Jesus' birth. I mean, even kind of the lead-up to it, like the birth of Jesus. The gospel of Mark begins, he's already an adult." [00:02:44] (32 seconds)
"But however they frame the story, whatever choices they make, the order they put things in, the words they use, it tells us something about the gospel writer and about their unique perspective on the story of Jesus. Just think about when you tell a story yourself. You just instinctively make choices along the way. Like, if you're going to tell a story to your friend, is it relevant what clothes you wore that day? Maybe. If it's a story about clothes. If not, you just exclude that part." [00:03:16] (36 seconds)
"We are near the beginning of a long study that we're going to do on the Gospel of Luke. Over the last four years, we've already done Matthew, Mark, and John. We're going to study the Gospel of Luke. This is the life and the ministry according to this one highly educated Greek doctor, a man of many talents named Luke, who investigated and sought to lay out an orderly account, he says. Now, every Gospel writer mentions John the Baptist that we discussed last week. Every Gospel writer mentions that in the Jesus ministry." [00:04:58] (37 seconds)
"And it sets the tone for everything that moves forward. And Luke chooses to fast forward past some of the chronology. He's going to fast forward past something and intentionally start with one particular story. We see this in verse 14. This is the two-verse fast forward. Now, there's some other Gospels who record in greater detail what he just summarized in those two verses. But here we have, okay, he came back to this area in Galilee. He was a powerful, things happened. He became well known. Two verses." [00:05:21] (53 seconds)
"We come to see that what Jesus is about to read from the scroll of Isaiah, which I'll show you, becomes the thesis. It becomes like the mission statement of Jesus. And then everything we're going to see after that fleshes it out. I'll invite you to stand for this reading. I'm going to read from 16 through 21. So Jesus went to Nazareth where he had been brought to. And on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him." [00:09:04] (39 seconds)
"And unrolling it, he found the place where it is written, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. So, He set the oppressed free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. And then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began by saying to them, Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." [00:09:42] (44 seconds)
"The Greek word Christ and the Hebrew word Messiah both mean in English, the anointed or the anointed one. And there was an Old Testament tradition of literally anointing, putting oil on someone's head when you're formally anointing a priest, a prophet, or a king to designate them, to set them apart for a specific role. If Jesus is the anointed one, that came to be this expectation of the Old Testament that there was going to be this one great anointed one who would be the Messiah, when? When? Was Jesus anointed?" [00:14:06] (44 seconds)
"In fact, in the story, if Jesus' baptism functions as a moment of his anointing, I wonder if we might also consider our baptisms to be our anointing. Now, I don't mean in the same way as Jesus. The last thing I want is for us to all leave with Messiah complex and think we're all Jesus. I don't mean that. But in some way, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We're baptized into Jesus. We're also baptized into Jesus' mission and Jesus' calling." [00:22:40] (37 seconds)
"Jesus was anointed to do a certain job. If we're baptized into Christ, I think we're also anointed into Christ's work. So if any of you were baptized at any point in your life, whether as a kid or as an adult, I would love for you to turn to your neighbor and inform them, I've been baptized. Let's take a minute. Okay, and for any of you, if you haven't, let me know. I do baptisms. All right, we'll get you signed up." [00:23:37] (37 seconds)
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