“Jesus: More Than Your Homeboy” | Luke 4:22-30 Bible Study

2-3-21 Bible Study Screenshot with Title 100

Introduction
Commentary (forthcoming)
Bible Study Audio
Bible Study Video
Conclusion
Live Stream Recording
Bible Study Slideshow
Bibliography

First streamed on 2.3.21. Post shared on 9.12.22

Introduction | Christ: New Character, New Season

Have you ever had a favorite TV show that introduced a new character at the start of a new season?

Maybe it was a new love interest for the main character. Maybe it was a new villain. Maybe it was a replacement of someone who used to be on the show.

You ever watch the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? If you have, you may recall that there were two Aunt Viv’s. Janet Hubert was “Aunt Viv” for the first three seasons (1990-92).

Then, Daphne Maxwell Reid was “Aunt Viv” for the final three seasons, beginning in 1993.[1] ¹

Apparently, there was some drama between Hubert and Will Smith[2] – and Hubert got replaced.

When Daphne Reid showed up in season 3, a lot of people wondered what happened. And many still don’t like her as much as the original Aunt Viv.

You see, when you introduce someone new, they often aren’t easily accepted.

But sometimes, new characters come and become very popular.

Have you ever seen Law & Order? If you have, you likely recognize this guy: Jack McCoy.

Jack McCoy is one of the show’s most popular characters ever. But the character, played by Sam Waterson, actually didn’t show up until Season 5.

Then he appeared in 368 episodes in seasons 5-20.

Sometimes, new characters in a new season become very popular. But sometimes that popularity can cause tension with the old cast.

Have you ever seen the show, Family Matters? If so, you likely recognize Jaleel White, who played Steve Urkel.

Now Steve Urkel actually didn’t show up until Season 2! And originally, he was only supposed to be in one episode![3]

But when Urkel was so well-received by the audience, he became the star of the show – and a 90’s cultural icon.[4]

When Urkel became so popular, this caused tension with some of the older cast members.[5] When a new guy starts getting some shine, many times people can get jealous.

In any case, I always liked the Family Matters theme song: “It’s a rare condition, this day and age, to read any good newson the newspaper page.”

And, you know, it’s still a rare condition to read good news on the newspaper page. That’s why we have to proclaim the Good News to this world that’s so infatuated with bad news.

And as we’ll see, proclaiming the Good News is what Jesus came to do. Christ came as a New Character, proclaiming the Good News – of a new season.

Ever have to wait a long time for something you were really looking forward to?

Maybe a graduation that took years of schooling? Or a promotion that took years of hard work? Or maybe it was retirement after decades in your career?

Well, the Jews had been waiting for the Messiah for over 1000 years!² And God made His promise to Abraham almost 2000 years ago³ (cf. Gen 12:2-3).

Over the years, God had a long history with His people Israel – with lots of drama!

Now, Jesus announces that, in Him, the long-awaited, new season of messianic salvation has begun! The question is: how will they react to this New Character?

Bible Study Audio

Bible Study Video

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jesus announces Himself as the New Main Character in the New Season of God’s story of redemption. Even though it caused tension with the old cast, Jesus came to evangelize – to spread the Good News.

And the Good News – the Gospel that He proclaimed – was about the inauguration of the new messianic age of the Lord’s Jubilee – and it was about spiritual debt forgiveness.

Jesus was the long-awaited Prophet (cf. Dt. 18:18) who was anointed by the Spirit of God (cf. Lk 3:21-22) to proclaim the Good News to the “poor”. That is, those who are spiritually humble and dependent on God.

Like the Old Testament prophets, He was rejected by His own. He proclaimed the Lord’s favor, but He wasn’t received favorably.

And like Elijah and Elisha, His ministry is not limited to the Jews; He also brings deliverance to the Gentiles.

More than a son of Joseph, He is the Son of God (Lk 1:32,35; 3:22). He came to be the Savior not merely of Israel, but of the world.

And, salvation is not based on family, ethnicity, or geography – it’s about one’s response to Christ’s words of grace. You can either receive them or reject them.

So what’s it gonna be? Reception or rejection? Those who receive Christ’s words will be received and those who reject Christ’s words will be rejected

And those of us who have received Christ’s words now need to relay Christ’s words – and likely face rejection from those closest to us.

But if we are rejected by our own, we can take heart – because we’re in good company!

For that’s how they treated the prophets – and that’s how they treated the One about whom they prophesied.

Following Christ often means following Christ in being rejected. But, let’s not have a fear of rejection. Let’s have a fear of neglection.

No matter how they may respond, let’s not neglect to share the words of grace to those closest to us. Lord willing, we can be homies on earth and homies in heaven.

May the LORD bless you and keep you.

Live Stream Recording

Bible Study Slideshow

2-3-21 Bible Study Luke 4_22-30 Slides

Bibliography

Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, Walter Bauer, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke: 1:1–9:50. Vol. 1. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1994.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.
Garland, David E. Luke. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: . Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
Edwards, James R. The Gospel according to Luke. Edited by D. A. Carson. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015.
Evans, Craig A. Luke. Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990.
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.
Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Exeter: Paternoster Press, 1978.
Morris, Leon. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 3. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Schreiner, Thomas in Burge, Gary M., and Andrew E. Hill, eds. The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.
Silva, Moisés, ed. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Strauss, Mark in Arnold, Clinton E. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
Trites, Allison A., William J. Larkin. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 12: The Gospel of Luke and Acts. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2006.
Webb, Barry. The Message of Isaiah: On Eagles’ Wings. Edited by J. A. Motyer and Derek Tidball. The Bible Speaks Today. England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.