Week 21: The Public Ministry
Week 21: The Public Ministry
For approximately thirty years Jesus has been growing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). These were the years of his preparation. Now, however, the time has come for him to emerge out of the obscurity of the carpenter’s shop into public life. So he went south to join the crowds who were flocking to listen to John the Baptist and to be baptized by him. Jesus’s baptism was a kind of commissioning by the Father’s voice and the Spirit’s descent.
Fresh from this dramatic experience, he was grievously tempted by the devil to pursue his mission by avoiding the cross. After his temptations he began to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom and to do mighty works of healing to validate his message. He soon became overwhelmed by the pressures of his work and was strengthened both by withdrawing to pray and by the Twelve, whom he called to be with him and share his ministry.
Sunday: The Baptism
Monday: The Temptations
Tuesday: The Good News
Wednesday: The Nazareth Manifesto
Thursday: The Healing Ministry
Friday: The Lord’s Prayer Life
Saturday: The Call of the Twelve