Taught live Sunday, October 16, 2022
Introduction
Jesus’ Life Prior to His Ministry: The Introduction of Christ, Part 1 Looking into the Face of Jesus
The Life of Christ, 1: Pages 35-44 Outline: Lesson Plan 4
- Texts for this Study: Luke 1:1–4; Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38; John 1:1–18
- We come to the “introduction” that the Gospels give to Jesus.
- Luke’s Preface and Dedication (Luke 1:1–4)
- At the time of the first century, a basic body of beliefs was available to all the church.
- “Eyewitnesses and servants” had handed down their accounts.
- Luke had studied what was available to him.
- Luke wrote to Theophilus, whom he designated as “most excellent.” Perhaps this fact indicates that he was an official of high standing.
- His name means “lover of God.”
- He may have supported, as a patron, Luke’s research.
- Luke said that he had recorded “the exact truth about the things” that Theophilus had been taught.
- The Genealogies of Matthew and Luke
- Matthew’s account was written for the Jews. His lineage was focused on proving that he was the Messiah that was promised through Jewish heritage. This Messianic lineage was according to prophesy: 1. He was to be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18). 2. He was to be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16).
3. There were also several surprises, such as wicked King Manasseh being in the list. - Luke’s account had a different purpose than Matthew’s.
- Luke’s ends with Adam to show His linkage to all of mankind.
- The two lists are also very different. They both show Abraham and David, but those names in between are different.
- The best suggestions as to why the difference is the following:
- Matthew—gives the legal line through Joseph (for the Jews)
- Luke—gives the fleshly line through Mary (some say royal line)
- Mary is not mentioned in Luke, but that is because women typically were not mentioned.
- Matthew’s account was written for the Jews. His lineage was focused on proving that he was the Messiah that was promised through Jewish heritage. This Messianic lineage was according to prophesy: 1. He was to be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18). 2. He was to be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16).
d. J. W. McGarvey gave a Levirate marriage explanation for the difference in fathers of Joseph.
III. John’s Introduction of Jesus
- John wanted his readers to know that Jesus’s life did not start in Bethlehem. He started the story in eternity.
- Some divide this introduction into three divisions:
1. Jesus, the eternal Word—John 1:1–3
2. Jesus, the Light who overrules the Darkness of this world 3. Jesus, the revelation of God to men - John described Jesus in several ways in this reading: 1. He is the Word—John 1:1
2. He is God—John 1:1
3. He is Creator—John 1:3 4. He is Life—John 1:4
5. He is Light—John 1:7–9
6. He is Savior—John 1:12
7. He is Flesh, that is, Man—John 1:14
8. He is the Only Begotten of the Father—John 1:14 9. He is Provider of Grace and Truth—John 1:17 10. He is God, the Father, Manifested—John 1:18
Conclusion
A. Think of this introduction.
1.
2. B. In
1. 2. 3.
What a great introduction of Christ that the three Gospels give us!
Where does Mark begin?
light of these texts, who is Jesus?
Is He a great man?
Is He a great prophet?
Is He the God/Man? Is He God in the flesh?
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