The Ministry of Jesus
Introduction. (Luke
3:21-23). In vs. 23 we note as the NKJV puts it, Jesus began “His ministry” around
the age of 30. Most modern translations put it in a similar way (RSV, NASB,
ESV, NIV), but we should note that both words are italicized, which is a
convention some translations use to indicate that they are not actually in the
original text, but supplied by the editors to complete the sense. The Greek
contains the participle archomenos, which means “beginning” or even
“leading.” The KJV applied this word to Jesus’ age, rendering this “Jesus
himself began to be about thirty years of age” (cf. YLT, GLT). The fact
that this can also refer to leading (or exercising some authority) likely
led others to apply this more to Jesus’ work—the ASV put it “when he began to
teach, was about thirty” (putting the words to teach in
italics). Modern translations have followed the sense of the ASV.
While we often
think of ministry as teaching or preaching, the term means “service” and
applies to more than just delivering lessons or sermons. By speaking of Jesus’ ministry
we usually mean His public ministry as recorded in the gospels. As we see in
Luke 3, this began with His baptism and ended with His ascension into heaven.
We must not forget, however, that as God in the flesh His service to
mankind began long before His coming to earth, and continues long after His
return back into heaven.
•
Jesus served mankind in the very beginning. John 1:3 tells
us “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that
was made.”
•
1 Corinthians 10:4, in speaking of the miracle when God gave the
Israelites water from the rock, declares “and that rock was Christ.” Christ
was serving the Israelites even before coming to earth.
•
The Hebrew writer describes Christ’s ongoing service to mankind
as High Priest (Heb. 8:6). We note this is referred to as a “more excellent
ministry” when compared to the ministry of priests under the old law.
In this lesson we will use it in
the way we usually do, of Jesus’ public ministry while on earth. What
lessons does it teach us? What can we learn from it? How should it impact our
lives?
I.
Jesus’ Ministry Was Relatively Short.
A.
We believe that Jesus’ public ministry only spanned a period of three
years.
1.
We draw this conclusion because the gospel of John mentions the annual
observance of Passover three times during His ministry (John 2:13; 6:4; 11:55).
B.
In this short time He made a remarkable impact on the world.
1.
He taught a revolutionary new doctrine, which within only a few decades
the Jews in Rome would describe as “spoken against everywhere” (Acts
28:22).
2.
He established a church of disciples that in only a few short years would
be said to have “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).
C.
How much time have you had on earth?
1.
What kind of impact do you have on the world around you?
2.
We are to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).
3.
We are to redeem the time we have (Eph. 5:15-16).
II. Jesus’ Ministry was
Balanced.
A.
He was busy and active in His work (Matt. 4:23).
1.
Yet, He always made time for times of prayer and meditation (Matt.
14:22-23).
B.
We must be industrious and diligent in our work. Paul taught, “whatever
you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23).
1.
Yet, we must not neglect our responsibility to God (Matt. 6:31-33)
2.
Or to our family.
a.
Parents are to bring up their children in “the training and
admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). We can’t do that if we don’t give our
families our time.
b. Husbands
are to “dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife” (1
Pet. 3:7)—wives are to “love their husbands” (Titus 2:4) and respect
them (Eph. 5:33). We can’t do that if we don’t give them our time.
III.
Jesus’ Ministry was Consistent.
A.
Jesus found Himself in many different circumstances and with many
different people, but He was consistent in His behavior wherever He was or with
whomever He found Himself (Heb. 4:14-15).
1.
How could He have been our atonement for sin if He had done anything
else?
B.
As Christians Christ must live in us (Gal. 2:20).
1.
We must be consistent in our behavior (1 Pet. 2:11-12).
2.
Don’t be one way at home and another way at church.
3.
Don’t act righteous with Christians and ungodly around worldly friends.
IV.
Jesus’ Ministry was Focused.
A.
From the very beginning Jesus made it clear that His life pointed toward
the very goal of His coming to earth—redemption of the sins of mankind on the
cross (John 12:27).
1.
He did not allow Himself to become distracted by the pleasures of life (Luke
9:51-53).
B.
We must live our lives focused on the goal of heaven.
1.
It is the reason we are here. Paul told the Athenians that God made us
so that we “might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each
one of us” (Acts 17:27).
2.
We must not let ourselves become distracted (Col. 3:1-4).