THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS

JOHN THE BAPTIST

 John’s parents were both descended from the priestly family of Aaron.

 Called to be a Nazirite
 Nazirite – he neither cut his hair nor drink wine
o He ate locusts and honey in the desert
o Offered them public baptism in the River Jordan as an evidence of their sorrow for sin and
acceptance of a new life of obedience to God.
 Performed an act of ritual cleansing called baptism (Greek Baptizein, “to immerse”)

Six truths about John the Baptist

1. Truth- God’s timing in our lives is perfect- Because Zechariah had doubted this word at the angel’s visit, he
had been silenced, unable to talk, until he wrote these powerful words on a tablet. “His name is John”
2. Truth- God has a specific calling and purpose for our lives today- He chose obedience to God’s call. He said
“Yes” to God’s mission, even when it probably was not easy
3. Truth- God gives us the power to keep our heart and minds set on Christ, even in desert days- He didn’t live
for the opinions of others, but lived with compassion to see others brought to repentance towards Christ.
4. Truth- Humility and obedience to God matters more than what others think of us- Yet John did not give in to
that need for “success” in the world’s eyes. He knew this was no popularity contest.
5. Truth- Our mission in this life is to point others to Christ- Even when things don’t make sense, even in the
midst of suffering, tragedy, great loss and even in death, Christ indeed is our Lord.
6. Truth- No matter what battles we face in this world, there is always true unending freedom through Christ.
He alone is our Hope and Deliverer.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

 Marked the beginning of His public ministry.

 The Spirit of God descended on Jesus “like a dove”
 “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:17)
 “You are my beloved Son; with you I am pleased.” (Luke 3:22)
 “FULFILLING ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS”

THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS

 Forty days and forty nights

 Tempted for three times in the wilderness.
1st: turn the stone into bread
2nd: throw Himself down so that God could rescue Him
3rd: to worship Satan in exchange for wealth and power
 First Test- He will not seek security or satisfy His own material needs
 Second Test- He will not seek security to make a miraculous display of His status
 Third Test- He will not seek security to enter into partnership with the devil for the sake of political authority
THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

 3 district
1. The Galilean ministry
2. A journey to Jerusalem
3. The final events of His life began His “public” life at about the age of thirty
 Jesus assumed the life of a travelling preacher and teacher.
 Jesus’ activity was confined to a small area along the western shore of the lake and the surrounding hills
 In the Gospel of John, He began His ministry in Judea but the greater part took place in Jerusalem
 APOSTLES
-1st group of followers
- specifically chosen by Jesus to join Him
 DISCIPLES
- means a “pupil”
- Greek: mathetes
- one who follows Jesus
 12 APOSTLES
Simon Peter and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and
Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaseus, and Thaddaeus; Simon
the Canananean and Judas Iscariot

 A. TEACHINGS
- At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached in the synagogues.
- Hebrew: Malkuth YHWH
- Greek: Basilieia tou Theou
- “Gods active reign”
- Jesus has announced the good news of the kingdom which is the central theme of His proclamation.
- He taught in the synagogues of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum
- Reign of God - the reign of God’s love in the world
- Parable – our love for others should know no bounds

A. THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1. THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON- Just as the loving Father joyfully welcomes a younger son who
returns home after squandering his inheritance abroad, and entreats a recalcitrant older son to rejoice with
him, so does God, through Jesus, joyfully welcome sinners and invite all to rejoice with Him.
2. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER- As the sower in his work meets with many obstacles, yet produces a
harvest which far compensates any loss of seed, so does Jesus, in His work of ushering in the Kingdom of
God, meet with many obstacles yet will ultimately achieve a success which will far outweigh any failure.
3. THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON- Just as the tiny mustard seed, the smallest all seeds, eventually
grows into the tallest of garden plants, so does the kingdom of God, despite its insignificant beginnings in
the person of Jesus, eventually expand into a great kingdom, open to all the people of the earth.
4. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN- Just as leaven, when it is mixed in a certain quantity of dough, makes
the whole mass of dough begin to rise, so does the Kingdom of God, when it enters the world, leave nothing
unaffected. This universal expansion of the Kingdom does not mean that it will not be necessarily be
accepted by all, but rather, it produce universal disturbance.
5. THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND THE PEARL- Just as a man finding a treasure or a
precious pearl will not let such a chance pass by, but on the contrary will immediately do all that is to be
done in order to take advantage of his opportunity, so does the man finding the Kingdom of God not let such
a chance pass by, but on the contrary immediately do all that is to be done in order to take advantage of this
opportunity.
6. THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT- Just as the king, who had first cancelled the
astronomical deb of a servant, the afterwards sternly punished this servant for his subsequent lack of mercy
towards a fellow servant over a small debt, so will God deal with us if we do not forgive the wrongs of our
fellowmen and women towards us.
7. THE PARABLE OF TALENTS- Just as a master, who entrusted money to his servants for them to invest
profitably during his absence expecting an increase of his capital, rewarding those servants who had made
good and punishing a servant who had merely safeguarded it, so does God, who has entrusted His World to
His people and its leaders, expects them to make profitable use of it and will punish those who merely
safeguard it in a legalistic way.

B. PARABLE OF FORGIVENESS
1. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS- Just as the debtor with the greater cancelled debt shows the
greater gratitude, so does the sinner who is forgiven show more gratitude.

C. PARABLE ON THE LOVE OF ONE’S NEIGHBOR

1. THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN- Just as a Samaritan acted as a neighbor towards a man in
need without any other consideration than his need, so must you do the same to any person in need,
whatever his race, color, or creed it is.
2. THE PARABLE OF THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT- Just as you are confident of having your needs met when
you ask bread from a friend at midnight because a guest has jus arrived, you should also be confident when
you make requests to you Heavenly Father.

D. PARABLE ON PRAYING
1. THE PARABLE OF THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW- Just as an unjust judge, who resist to grant hearing to a
poor widow for a long time, gives in to her persistence out of purely selfish motives, so will God surely and
suddenly answer the plea of his people, who persevere in prayer inspired by faith.

E. PARABLE ON SELF-RIGHTEOUNESS &HUMILITY

1. PARABLE ON CHOOSING PLACES AT TABLE- Just as the self-chosen order of his guest id often
reserved by the host, so also in the Kingdom of God the present order of things shall be reversed: the best
places are God’s gifts and not man’s choice.

 B. TABLE FELLOWSHIP
- Food was a symbol of goodwill.
- In Jewish culture, an offer of food meant an offer of friendship.
- The Last Supper

 C. THE BEATITUDES
- Latin: Beatitude - “blessedness”
 - Greek: Makarios – “ a sense of inner contentment unaffected by outward circumstances”
- Sermon on the Mount
- Poor “blessed” because “the kingdom of God is theirs”

Eight Beatitudes
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, they shall possess the land.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
6. Blessed are those who are pure of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are those who work for peace, for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are those are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.