What Jesus Did

When [Jesus] came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the...

 

[After the temptations in the wilderness,] Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

—Luke 4:14-15 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus' example reminds us that when we face down the devil's attacks, schemes, and temptations (Luke 4:1-13, immediately preceding this passage), we can emerge stronger with the Spirit's power more at...

 

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

—Luke 4:13 NLT

Key Thought


There is a haunting and ominous tone to Luke's summary of the devil's departure. While Jesus won this encounter, Luke wants us to know that the evil one will be lurking nearby for an opportune moment. Defeated this time, the awful deceiver will choose his time and his methods carefully. We know that ultimately the greatest test will occur in the Garden of...

 

Then the devil took [Jesus] to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'" Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD your God.'"

—Luke 4:9-12 NLT

Key Thought


The devil was baiting Jesus to try to get him to show that God was...

 

Then the devil took [Jesus] up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me." Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'"

—Luke 4:5-8 NLT

Key Thought


These verses give us a great demonstration of Jesus' love...

 

Then the devil said to [Jesus], "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'"

—Luke 4:3-4 NLT

Key Thought


"If you are the Son ..." God had affirmed his relationship with his Son at his baptism — "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy" (Luke 3:22). Jesus had no reason to doubt his relationship with his Father. With his knowledge...

 

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

—Luke 4:1-2 NLT

Key Thought


"The devil is in the details." While that old saying is true, it is even "more true" that the devil tries to compromise anyone led by the Spirit — especially early in a person's commitment. If the evil one can derail the early...

 

Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai. Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias...

 

Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.

—Luke 3:23 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus begins his public ministry. He has accepted baptism, been anointed with the Spirit, and received affirmation from God. Now he begins the public side of his life. If he were Joseph's son from Nazareth and just a carpenter, there would have been little reason to describe any part of his life as public. From...

 

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."

—Luke 3:21-22 NLT

Key Thought


Luke uses only a few words and yet conveys such deep meaning. Jesus comes as part of the genuine movement of God among common people and is baptized. That event happens not...