Mighty Works of Christ

January 31, 2010

Lesson: Matthew 13:54–58, Luke 4:14–30

Key Verses: Matthew 13:54

Introduction (Matthew 13:54-58)

The people of Nazareth saw Jesus as the carpenter’s son, the son of Mary. The people knew his sisters and brothers, saying, “Whence then hath this man all these things?” Jesus’ reply to them was, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” The wonder of Christ as Savior and Lord was hindered only by their own foolish hearts; for Christ “did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew Henry reminds us of our faith which is of grace alone: “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, but then it is to every one that believes, Rom 1:16. So that if mighty works be not wrought in us, it is not for want of power or grace in Christ, but for want of faith in us. By grace ye are saved, and that is a mighty work, but it is through faith, Eph 2:8.”

The people listened to Christ as he taught in the synagogue and wondered about this man of Nazareth, saying, “Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Matt. 13:54). When Christ presented himself, whether in word or deed, he revealed the force, the miraculous and wonderful power, the divine authority of heaven. Peter, preaching on the day of Pentecost, speaks of this power or authority of the man of Nazareth: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:22–24). The Son of God came to earth and took upon himself our flesh, that he may show to us his power to redeem us from the darkness of our sin, its guilt, and from death itself. Christ revealed to us that he is the Prince of kings, the sovereign Lord, in whom we have victory over the darkness of this world. Victory over this darkness is ours: “Therefore let us learn to commend ourselves to Him when we shall endure great assaults of Satan and of the world, of which he is called the prince. And when it seems to us that the wicked ought to crush us, let us withdraw under the wings of our God, in order that He may give us wherewith to resist, and that being armed by His power we may be able to repulse all temptations which could happen to us” (J. Calvin).

Authority to Preach: Luke 4:14–19

Jesus went into the wilderness, being led by the Spirit of God, and “returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.” Christ Jesus had defeated Satan with his own words, proving that God alone has the authority to give life. It was Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelt, that could truly say to his disciples, “All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). It is this authority which the world hates, and so stands in judgment. For his testimony is true when he says, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man” (John 5:26–27). Jesus, as the Messiah, the Son of God, teaches in the synagogues. In this ministry of the Word of God, Jesus’ fame spreads, “being glorified of all.”

Jesus’ teaching revealed to his people who he was, and why he was sent by the Father. This should not be surprising, since the Scriptures were given that we might know that “Salvation is of the Lord!” Jesus “came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.” The book of the prophet Isaiah was placed in his hands. Jesus found the words he wanted to read, which spoke of himself, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” His ministry is not one which belongs only to him, but to the Godhead. He comes anointed by the Spirit of the Lord. He is God’s Evangelist, that the poor in spirit might know the good news of salvation in him. He restores spiritual life to the broken in spirit. Forgiveness (deliverance) is poured out to those who are slaves of sin. Those in darkness will see a great light, bringing liberty to those bruised. These words of Jesus reveal the work of redemption in the life of those for whom he shed his precious blood.

Jesus is the Anointed One of God the Father. These words of the Lord are recorded in Psalm 132:7: “There will I make the horn of David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed” (Ps. 132:17). Calvin wrote that “if it is only in Christ that God has put forth his power to save us, we are not at liberty to depart from that method, if we desire to obtain salvation from God.” When Christ said that he came “To preach the acceptable year of the Lord,” he was declaring a similar thought that the time of redemption depended wholly upon the good pleasure of the Lord. Referring to Galatians 4:4, Calvin continues: “that we may rest satisfied with the conviction, that salvation was manifested in Christ, at the time which seemed good in the sight of God.”

Discussion: By what authority did Jesus preach?

Words That Pierce: Luke 4:20–24

Jesus, having finished reading the passage from Isaiah, closed the book and sat down; “And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.” His words pierced the hearts of his listeners; for he said that the Scripture which they heard was fulfilled before their very eyes. May we, and others to whom the Scriptures are preached; hear with the ears of those men on the Emmaus road. They heard the words of the resurrected Lord, saying after he had left them, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). Let us pray for listening ears and receiving hearts as the Holy Spirit teaches us of Christ our Savior.

The Holy Spirit moved among his listeners as they bore witness to him and “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” Their witness denied the Spirit’s word, saying, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” The purpose of their question was understood by Jesus when he said to them, “Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country… Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.” They found reason for not believing Christ on the ground that he was the son of Joseph. How their hearts must have festered when they had to mention the human name of Christ, Joshua (having their minds irritated with its meaning, “Jehovah is salvation”). John Calvin wrote that, “Instead of regarding this circumstance as an additional reason for glorifying God, they bring it forward as an objection, and wickedly make it a ground of offense, that they may have some plausible excuse for rejecting what is said by the son of Joseph. Thus we daily see many who, while they are convinced that what they hear is the word of God, seize on frivolous apologies for refusing to obey it. And certainly the only reason why we are not affected, as we ought to be, by the power o£ the Gospel, is, that we throw hindrances in our own way, and that our malice quenches that light, the power of which we are unwilling to acknowledge.”

Discussion: Why should we carefully listen to the Word of God?

The Wrath of Men: Luke 4:25–30

Jesus led his listeners to the truth of the fulfillment of the Scriptures He read by reminding them of the truth that “many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. It is the Lord who commands his prophets and disciples to feed those whom he has chosen. When the Lord is “despised by his countrymen, his glory is in no degree diminished: because God will still be able, to their shame and confusion, to dignify and exalt his Son, as he formerly gave honor to his prophets in the midst of the Gentiles.” (Calvin).

The words of the Lord arouse wrath in the hearts of his hearers. We must allow Scripture, not only to teach us the truth, but to discipline us in those doctrines which will bring change to our lives. The wrath of those in the synagogue was shown in their desire to kill Jesus who had just declared himself to be their Savior. They were allowed to lead Jesus to “the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.” However, Jesus revealed his authority over all things by “passing through the midst of them” and continuing the ministry for which he was anointed.

Discussion: How does the wrath of man glorify Christ?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.