Luke 4:31-37

“Notice what you notice.” So again we have back-to-back narratives, this time between Mark and Luke. There are only a few differences to note:

1. Mark refers to a man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23) while Luke refers to a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon (Luke 4:33), the difference being the naming of the “thing” as a demon.
2. Mark’s account says And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him (Mark 1:26), while Luke adds a final qualifier to his account, And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm (Luke 4:35), that the demon had done the man no harm. Is this Luke writing in his role as a physician?
3. Both Mark and Luke have the demon and Jesus speaking the exact same words. However, the words from the onlookers are quite different.
   • Mark has them saying What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him (Mark 1:27)
   • while Luke’s crowd says What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out! (Luke 4:36).
   • Mark has Jesus TEACHING with authority while Luke has Jesus ACTING with authority and power. I don’t know what to make of that, if anything. Thoughts?

Slava Bohu!!

Mark 1:21-28

“Notice what you notice.” It has always struck me how Mark seems to move around so quickly and that his writing is so “to the point”. In Chapter 1 Jesus goes from His baptism to the wilderness to the calling of the four, all in twelve verses, then on to His first miracle, the healing of a demoniac. One of the commentaries I read said that Mark uses the word “immediately” 41 times in his Gospel, including nine times in the first chapter alone! That’s moving along…!

Mark records the healing of the demoniac in chapter 1 as Jesus’ first miracle (along with Luke in chapter 4). John’s first is the wedding at Cana in chapter 2, while Matthew does not record a miracle from Jesus until chapter 8. Again, Mark moving quickly…!

Mark mentions the crowd recognizing Jesus’ “teaching with authority” twice in this reading (verses 22 and 27). I can understand their v. 27 reaction, since Jesus had just cast out the unclean spirit. But how could the crowd see Him teaching with authority before that miracle? There must have been something in His speech, in His composure, in His confidence. It could be like the juxtaposition that Jesus uses in the Sermon on the Mount, “It has been said…” (the scribes?) compared to “But I say unto you…” (e.g., Mt. 5:31-35, 43-44). Yesterday at Nazareth he certainly spoke with authority, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21). Certainly, Mark reports, …they were astonished at His teaching (v. 22). Not much more to say…

Blessings!

Fred

Luke 4:14-30

“Notice what you notice.” I’m really glad that I did yesterday’s chronological, geographical foray into Jesus early ministry and to have John S.’s helpful, corrective comments therein. That yesterday’s post and comments were timely was borne out in my NASB Study Bible comment on verse 16, And He came to Nazareth… The footnote on that verse said, “Not at the start of His ministry, but perhaps a year later… Probably all the events of John 1:19-4:42 occurred between Luke 4:13 and Luke 4:14.” I think John S. and I would agree with most of that sentiment – again reading between the lines. So now, no more chronological, geographical exploration until we return to John again, but not until May. We’ll spend these next few months in Galilee, very likely during Jesus’ second year of ministry.

There is a major disconnect between Jesus’ favorable reception in Nazareth as reflected in Luke 4:16-22 compared to them ready to throw him off a cliff in verse 29. I’m wondering if the reaction turns when He says Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well. And He said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.” (vv. 23-24) or when He suggests that Gentiles in the Old Testament (vv. 25-27, the Zarephath widow and Naaman the Syrian) were receiving God’s favor – the favor that the Jews were rejecting. Were the Nazarene citizens troubled by His perceived insolence or by His elevation of the Gentiles? If the latter, unfortunately for the Nazarenes, Jesus’ elevation of the Gentiles will continue the rest of His ministry – and on further into the Book of Acts – and even further, to our own salvation…!! GLORY!

Blessings!

Mark 1:14-20

“Notice what you notice.” When we read the Synoptics’ accounts of the same event, we tend to go back and forth and see what is similar and what is different in their accounts. I couldn’t help but notice one major difference in Mark’s calling of the four disciples compared to Matthew’s – Zebedee, with his sons James and John had hired servants.

What to make of that? None of the other writers makes any such mention, not even Luke who has more to say about wealth and poverty than any of the other writers. We can draw a contrast between James and John, wealthy enough to have hired servants, with Peter and Andrew out in their boat casting their own nets. Luke tells us later that Peter and Andrew were partners with James and John and Zebedee (Luke 5:10). So when Peter and Andrew left to follow Jesus, all they left behind was their boat and equipment, which presumably they would have left to Zebedee’s care. Meanwhile James and John leave their father’s business behind, knowing that Zebedee had hired servants to continue in the business, plus the additional boat and equipment from Peter and Andrew. Put all that together and it makes it easier to see Peter, Andrew, James and John simply walking away from their professions.

A second item of note is Matthew and Mark both mentioning John’s arrest and tying that event to Jesus’ return to Galilee. This is consistent with John’s account: Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only His disciples), He left Judea and departed again for Galilee (John 4:1-3).

So now to put together a reasonable chronology… We begin with Jesus living in Nazareth with His mother and John baptizing in the Jordan River, but further north (Aenon/Salim), just south of Galilee and about a day’s walk from Nazareth. Jesus goes to John and gets baptized; while there He meets a few of his future disciples (John 1). He then goes back to Cana for the wedding (John 2:1-11), goes to Capernaum after the wedding for a few days (John 2:12), then heads south for the Passover (John 2:13, ff.). While there He cleanses the Temple and begins preaching alongside His disciples who are baptizing in the Jordan River just east of Jerusalem. After a month or two there Jesus heads off to the wilderness and His disciples go back to Galilee. While He is in the wilderness John gets arrested and Jesus heads back to Galilee by way of Samaria. There He meets the woman at the well, stays on a few days, then heads back to Galilee (John 4:1-45) where we pick up yesterday’s and today’s readings, the calling of the four disciples. Whew!

I doubt I do much more chronology, but getting it right (or at least reasonable) in this first year of Jesus’ ministry was important to me.

Be blessed y’all!!

Matthew 4:12-22

“Notice what you notice.” Yeah, I’m fascinated by the chronology and the geography – and even more so when we see the four Gospels harmonizing together in our Chronological Bibles. But I just got whapped by something. A few days ago when Jesus was with the woman at the well and His disciples came, Jesus had said that there were still four months until the harvest. My Bible notes had suggested, therefore, that He must have spent 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover celebration before returning to Galilee. So now we leave John’s Gospel and move to the Synoptics, specifically Matthew’s 4^th chapter, which begins with Jesus’ forty days’ temptation in the wilderness. Forty days in the wilderness completely agrees with John’s 2-3 months in Judea after the Passover. Plus, all three Synoptics cover Jesus’ temptation, then move Him to Galilee. So there is a real consistency between John’s time frame and the Synoptics.

Furthermore, the Synoptics’ calling of the first four disciples (today’s reading) is now chronologically reasonable. Andrew was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist; possibly John the writer was the other (let’s imagine that for a time). So Andrew and his partner leave John the Baptist and follow Jesus, after first bringing along Simon Peter (John 1:35-42). Very possibly they are all headed to Jerusalem for the Passover. They witness the cleansing of the Temple and see other signs that Jesus performed. Then Jesus heads off to the wilderness while the three or four followers (Andrew, Peter, John, ?James?) head back to Galilee, back to fishing. Then after Jesus’ 2-3 months in Judea, he goes through Samaria, then on to Nazareth, then Capernaum (Mt. 4:12-13) which is by the sea. Now, knowing that He is beginning His Galilean ministry, He calls the first four disciples – who had already been called a couple of months earlier, but had returned to fishing when He went on His retreat.

Two other items worth noting. In verse 13 Matthew has Jesus living (settling) in Capernaum. Jesus having residence there will be picked up a number of times as we read further (e.g., Mark 1:21, 2:1; Luke 4:23, 31). Finally, in verses 20 and 22, Matthew uses the word “immediately”. I’ve always associated “immediately” with Mark!

Blessings!!

John 4:39-45

“Notice what you notice.” Again, John’s chronology… John has Jesus staying two days in Samaria – and he mentions it twice! (vv. 40, 43) Very specific! And then, geographically correct, Jesus continued north to Galilee.

Beyond that, I’m struck at the Samaritans’ belief. A stranger comes to town, has a revealing interchange with one resident which causes others to come and listen – and they believe. And no miracles/signs!! Their belief was the result to Jesus’ words. Contrast that with the Galileans who welcomed Jesus having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the feast (v. 45). John had earlier noted that when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing (Jn. 2:23). So Galileans believed because of what He did while Samaritans believed because of what He said.

Intriguing as all that is, what happened to the Samaritans after this interchange? There is no mention of any of them following after Jesus. At Pentecost the crowds asked, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (Acts 2:7). No mention of Samaritans. Maybe this two-day encounter is a lesson for us about evangelism and discipleship? Samaritans believed, maybe were even “born again”, but that’s the end of it? Our evangelistic friends count how many are saved and often do what they can about follow-up, but my guess is that intentional, persistent, personal contact is the only way to go.

That’s how it happened with me. Jim was a second-semester college freshman who began sharing with me after we met in a chemistry class in Spring 1972. We met on-and-off for the next 3+ years, often erratically but sometimes planned. Our last meeting was fully planned. We ran into each other on campus during finals week, Spring 1975 and made arrangements to get together that Saturday night, after his graduation and dinner with his family. Late that evening the Holy Spirit worked His will with me and I had my “born again” experience. Jim left campus the next day and I was on my own – except that God was fully with me! Jim’s front-end work, especially his persistence, had had such a powerful impact on me that following through on my late-night “conversion” was not an issue. Jim had no follow-up with me (except through the U.S. mail), but his front-end work had made the difference! I’d be interested to hear of others’ experiences on individuals responsible for your personal growth.

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:27-38

“Notice what you notice.” I had one item from yesterday that I had noticed, but forgot to mention (I’m out of my routine when I’m traveling). Jesus told the woman about her past and the woman replied, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet (verse 19). She didn’t reply to Jesus’ comment, she changed the topic! I had always glossed over that before!

So, today… (We just returned from our travels.) Commentaries have helped me to understand this long discourse between Jesus and the woman at the well. One such commentary mentioned Jesus’ reference to yet four months, then comes the harvest (verse 35). Getting back to John’s chronology… Chapter 2 had Jesus in Jerusalem for the Passover, a springtime feast – March/April. If it is now four months until the harvest (September/October), then this must be late spring or early summer, May or June. Jesus must have spent a couple of months in Judea after His baptism and His cleansing of the Temple, with Himself preaching and His disciples baptizing. That’s not a big item – I’m just enjoying watching the time frame through John’s writing.

What I really noticed today was that the woman left her water pot behind when she went back to town (verse 28). She had come out in the heat of the day, alone, to draw water. Now she leaves in such a rush that she leaves her water behind, presumably intent on returning. She must have been excited!! Have we ever been so excited about something that we had seen or heard that we left everything else behind so as to get the word out to others – especially to unbelievers (Samaritans)? We could take a lesson here!

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:15-26

“Notice what you notice.” This chapter is probably the longest personal discourse that Jesus had with anyone that is recorded in the Gospels. So naturally there is so much that has already been said and so much more that could still be said. But what I noticed is verses 23 and 24, But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. What does it mean to worship “in spirit and truth”?

Back in chapter 3 we had Jesus talking with Nicodemus that we must be “born of water and the Spirit”. I had then connected those two concepts with Baptism and Confirmation – repentance and renewal. Actually our Men’s Group has me thinking more along the lines of salvation and sanctification. So if being born of the Spirit is tied to Confirmation or sanctification, is there a connection to worshipping in spirit and truth? Is worshipping in spirit that aspect of who we are that is being renewed and sanctified, being set apart, being Holy Spirit guided?

So what is “worshipping in truth”? Worshiping the One True God…? Compared to the false god of the Samaritans? Or compared to the Roman or Greek gods? Or in opposition to those who “worship” nature? Two years from now Jesus will say I am the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). Then later that evening he says, Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice (Jn 18:37). And Pilate will famously reply, What is truth? Jesus is truth.

So, going out on a limb here – we read in verse 24, God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Is Jesus speaking of the Trinity? That is, if Jesus refers to Himself as the truth and we already know of the Holy Spirit, is our complete worship to be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Glory! My head spins when I read John’s gospel!

Slava Bohu!!

John 4:1-14

“Notice what you notice.” I remain intrigued by the care John takes in his geographical and chronological narrative. He begins chapter 4 pretty much right where he left off in chapter 3. He notes that Jesus left Judea and headed to Galilee by way of Samaria only after He heard that the Pharisees had heard about Him and His disciples baptizing more disciples than John. That is, John the writer has Jesus still in Judea and now headed back to Galilee within a relatively short time frame from when He first made Himself known through the cleansing of the Temple and Nicodemus’ visit.

I’ve imbedded below a map that shows almost all the major locations we know of Jesus’ travels. He and His disciples were probably baptizing opposite Jericho (lower right on the map). You can see a road going north from Jericho through Samaria toward Sychar, a journey of some 25-30 miles from the Jordan River opposite Jericho. If Jesus got an early start and walked at a good clip, he could have arrived at Sychar at noon, tired (v. 6)! No major Gospel insight here, just my fascination with John’s geography and chronology. Moving on…

I’m sure we have heard many times about Jesus and the Samaritan woman – that proper Jewish men had nothing to do with Samaritans and were not to engage with a woman unless her husband was present. Jesus broke both of these standards that Jewish leaders would follow.  But I wonder if “common” Galilean Jews were different from Jerusalem Jews.  I’m mostly at a loss for anything more to add. Others?

Slava Bohu!!

John 3:22-36

“Notice what you notice.” My apologies for this very late post, but Carol and I have been in travel and “wedding” fellowship all day. But I did not want to fail to post!

So today I only brought The Chronological Study Bible and not my other Study Bible, so I can only comment lightly, but there are still a number of items that I noticed.

First, John the writer is staying geographical and chronological. He begins with After this <they> went into the Judean countryside… (v. 22). That is, Jesus and his friends have left Jerusalem (which was in Judea), but have left the city environment and have moved to the countryside, presumably near the Jordan River where Jesus could baptize. A small item, but it lends credence to John’s chronology!

Second, …He gives the Spirit without measure (v. 34). What an awesome thought! There is absolutely NO LIMIT to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives! I know I’ve read this verse hundreds of times, but never picked up on that truth.

Third, putting together some phrases from vv. 31-32: He Who comes from above…, He Who comes from heaven…, and What He has seen and heard… All of these phrases refer to John the Baptist speaking about Jesus. Jesus Christ, God the Son, has come down from heaven to take up residence on earth – but He is still “from heaven”. What He has seen and heard… probably does not reflect his pre-human existence, but has probably come from His prayer time with His Father. But What He has seen and heard… is probably so unbelievable that “no one” (translate, the Jewish leaders) can believe his testimony.

Fourth, just read and re-read the words (vv. 31b-36a): He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life… GOD IS TRUE!

Slava Bohu!!