BI-113 Synoptic Gospels

BI-113 Synoptic Gospels

Consists of the Books Matthew, Mark, Luke

Synoptic - “taking a common view”

John written in different format

Matthew - written for the Jews

Mark - written for the Gentiles

Luke - written for the World

John - written for the lost

SEVEN KEY THINGS TO LOOK FOR AS YOU READ THE GOSPELS

SEVEN KEY THINGS TO LOOK FOR AS YOU READ THE GOSPELS

Examples to follow

Errors to avoid

Exhortations to observe

Promises to claim

Prayers to echo

Principles to remember

Truths to share

DOCTRINE - “teaching”

Function of Scripture - proclaim the message of Jesus Christ

Ultimate Aim - to produce converts or disciples for Christ

I. A Preview of Who Jesus is

a. Luke’s purpose for writing the gospel

Luke 1:1–4 NASB95

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

John 4:5–8 NASB95

So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

Who is Theophilus?

Means “lover of God”

Could be a title

“Most excellent” used by Paul of Felix in

High Priesthood of Theophilus 37-41 AD

FOUR THINGS STATED REGARDING THE COMPILING AND WRITING OF LUKE

The Search (Investigated)

The System (chronological)

The Student (Theophilus)

The Scheme (To expose the unquestioned truth about Jesus to his friend so that he might possess assurance in his faith)

b. Jesus’ legal lineage through Joseph and natural lineage through Mary

Matthew follows the legal lineage of Joseph (Matthew 1:1-17)

Luke follows the natural lineage of Mary ()

Included the bad men, the good men, and four women

Consider the four women

Tamar - an adulteress

Rahab - a prostitute

Ruth - a despised Moabite

Bathsheba - guilty of adultery

But through the grace and wisdom of God they were enabled to bring Him glory

The name of “Jesus” is mentioned 979x in the Bible.

The Hebrew names are “Joshua” and “Hosea”

In the Old Testament three men bear the name of “Jesus”

“Hosea” once and “Joshua” twice

Each of these men for-shadowed Jesus in His threefold role of

King - seen in Joshua who entered the promised land

Prophet - seen in Hosea, the prophet of grace and salvation

Priest - seen in Joshua, the high priest who assisted Israel’s restoration after her exile (Zec 3)

Christ - means “anointed” or “ordained, set apart or qualified”

Son of David - refers to the greatest leader Israel had, David, as king

Son of Abraham - refers to the greatest family of God’s chosen people

II. The early years of John the Baptist

a. John’s birth foretold to Zacharias

Zacharias was a priest

A priest had to be from Aaron’s lineage

The division of Abijah (8th)

In Jesus’s day their may have been 20,000 priests

They were separated into 24 divisions by David ()

One week, twice a year each division would serve in the Temple at Jerusalem

The rest of the year they would live normal lives

Elizabeth and Zacharias were:

1. Upright and blameless - approved in God’s sight

2. Barren - considered disgraceful

3. Old

3. Old

3. Old - Unable to have children

Casting of Lots - probably placing colored stones or stones with symbols on them, in a jar and shaking them until one of the stones fell out.

Zacharias was chosen - this would be the only time he would perform this service. At 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Considered to be a most honored task

Angel meets with him in the Holy place

Zechariah - means the Lord remembers

John - means the Lord is gracious or the gracious gift of God

NINE THINGS ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST (first prophet in 400 years)

He will bring joy to his parents

many will rejoice because of his birth and work

He will be great in God’s sight

He will never drink intoxicating beverages

he will know the Spirit’s filling from his birth onward

He will convert many to his brethren

He will operate in the spirit and power of Elijah

he will restore the brokenness of many homes

He will prepare people to meet the Lord Jesus Christ

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b. Jesus’ birth foretold to Mary

Mary was probably about 14 when the angel appeared to her

Lived in Nazareth - the “middle of nowhere”

Not mentioned in OT, intertestamental Jewish writings, Apocrypha or histories of Josephus

A village in lower Galilee of about 200-400 people

Covered about 10 acers

It was built on porous rock, so as well as the buildings above the surface there were underground cisterns for water, vats for oil, and silos for grain. There was a single, ancient spring for water. www.jesus-story.net

The village seems to have been held in some contempt in 1st century Palestine. It was a nondescript dot on the map with not much to offer, overshadowed by nearby Sepphoris, the luxurious Greek-style capital of Herod Antipas. It is beguiling to think that Joseph and Jesus, as builders, may have traipsed over to Sepphoris to work on the new buildings. www.jesus-story.net

FOUR MATTERS ARE STATED HERE REGARDING THIS PROPHESIED FIGURE

He will be great

He will be called the Son of the most High

He will be given David’s throne

he will reign forever

Mary’s response - “I am your servant” could be translated “slave girl”

This speaks of Mary’s complete submission to God’s will even with the ridicule she would endure.

This speaks of Mary’s obedience without regard to it’s inevitable consequences

c. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth

Upon the arrival of Mary, Elizabeth responded

She felt her baby leap with joy

She was filled with the Holy Spirit

She prophesied in a loud voice

THE CONTENT OF THE PROPHECY

It was Christ-centered

She addressed Mary’s unborn son as her Lord

She gave Jesus her full devotion

Mary was no less jubilant - she rejoiced with humility

Mary stays with Elizabeth three months

d. John’s birth

All males were to be circumcised (, ; ; Lev 12:3)

Circumcision was done in the local synagogue or the Temple in Jerusalem

Greeks named their sons on the 7th day

Romans named their sons on the 9th day

Jews named their sons on the 8th day

Names usually reflected the parents wishes on the child and/or Israel

The desired character or work of the child would be expressed in his name

Not uncommon to use the name of an ancestor - as was expected in this case

When Zachariah was obedient, he was able to speak again

His prophecy has to do with

The deliverance of Israel

The mission of his son John

Luke 1:80 NASB95

And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

“In the desert” - he probably was trained by the Essenes

The Essenes:

Small religious group active from about 200 BC to 100 AD

Dead sea scrolls believed to have been part of the library of the Essenes

III. The early years of Jesus Christ

a. Circumstances of Jesus’ birth explained to Joseph

Mary was pledged to be married

THREE BASIC STEPS IN THE MARRIAGE PROCESS

1. Engagement - Frequently made by parents of a son while he was still a young boy. Parents would select the girl they thought might become a suitable bride for their son

2. Betrothal - This stage was ratified or made legal in the presence of witnesses and the marriage became binding. It lasted one year during which time the couple would be know as husband and wife but would not live together. Only a divorce could sepaate them at this point. ()

3. Marriage - Final step - the groom would come for his wife and taker her home, after a wedding supper

THE CONCEPTION

Child though the Holy Spirit as an agent of power to make conception possible

God the Father responsible for the creation of Jesus’ body

Hebrews 10:5 NASB95

Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me;

JOSEPH - TWO OPTIONS

He could bring a public lawsuit against Mary on the charge of adultery. The result would be determined by a local court

He could take advantage of the easy divorce laws of his day and secure a letter of divorcement without stating the cause of separation

THE ANGEL IN A DREAM

There are 122 times in Scriptures record that God brought his word to people through dreams

There are 32 individual or groups of people who had an angelic appearance as recorded in the Bible

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

It’s a sign that God fulfils His prophecies

It’s a sign that no ordinary human can satisfy all the righteous demands of God and save people from their sins

It’s a sign that God’s desire for people to be saved is beyond mere human comprehension

It’s a sign that jesus previously existed in the form of God but was willing to undergo this amazing transformation in order to be our Savior

b. The birth of Jesus