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Matthew Chapter Four

1. Before Jesus can begin any ministry in the human realm, He was tempted and tested in the angelic realm (Matt. 4:1-11).
   1. He followed the Spirit’s leading.  It was the Spirit’s purpose to allow Jesus to be tempted by the Devil.  ὅ διάβολος ho diabolos ^#1228.
   2. He fasted forty days and forty nights before becoming hungry.
   3. The Tempter (ὅ πειράζων ho peirazōn ^#3985) made a number of offers—three of which are recorded in Scripture—and the Lord answered all three with Deuteronomy quotations (Deut. 8:3; 6:16; 6:13 & 10:20).
      1. Satan’s first recorded temptation acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God (Matt. 4:3).
         1. The trap was for the Son of God to use his Deity for selfish reasons.
         2. The way of escape was for the Son of Man to rely upon the Word of God.
      2. Satan’s second recorded temptation needed a public setting rather than a private setting.
         1. The trap was for the misapply the Word of God for personal glory.
         2. The way of escape was for the Son of Man to walk humbly before the Lord.
      3. Satan’s third recorded temptation betrayed his ultimate goal—to establish himself as an alternate god & father.
         1. The trap was to receive the crown without the cross.
         2. The way of escape was for the Son of Man to remain faithful to God.
2. John the Baptist’s arrest prompted Jesus to move His ministry to Galilee (Matt. 4:12-25).
   1. He established a headquarters in Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.
   2. He continued the Baptist’s message of repentance, proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven.
   3. At this time, Jesus begins to call disciples to full-time ministry (Matt. 4:18-22).
      1. He had previously met Andrew, John, Peter & James at the Jordan River (Jn. 1:35-42).
      2. This call to service meant leaving their secular careers (Matt. 4:20,22).

(Chapter Four continues on Day 281)

Mark Chapter One

(Outline continues from yesterday)

3. Mark summarizes Jesus’ Galilean ministry (Mk. 1:14-15).  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; change your thinking and place your trust in the good news.”
4. Mark’s account of the calling of the first four Disciples has two interesting items, both indicative of Mark’s closeness to the Apostle Peter.
   1. The reference to Simon Peter as Simon.
   2. The reference to the hired servants in Zebedee’s boat.

(Chapter One continues on Day 281)

Luke Chapter Four

1. The temptation of Christ is given in Matthew (4:1-11) & Mark (1:12-13), but Luke reverses Matthew’s order for temptations #2 & 3 (Lk. 4:1-13).
   1. The tests of personal provision, personal glory, and proper worship were undoubtedly repeated in various orders and various shades throughout the forty days (cf. Mk. 1:13; Lk. 4:2).
   2. When a believer is victorious in temptation, he must remain on his guard, because the Adversary is simply biding his time until a better opportunity (Lk. 4:13).

(Chapter Four continues on Day 289)

Luke Chapter Five

1. Luke records some of the most interesting details on the call of the first disciples (Lk. 5:1-11).
   1. He performed a miracle related to Peter’s secular career (vv.4-6), teaching Peter, James, & John that something greater than fishing success was in store for them (vv.10-11).
   2. The fishing partnership (μέτοχος metochos ^#3353) provides a glimmer of insight into the prosperous conglomerate that Simon (Peter) & Zebedee headed up.
   3. Peter’s sense of worthlessness comes out here more than anywhere else in the Gospels (v.8).

(Chapter Five continues on Day 281)

John Chapter One

(Outline continues from yesterday)

5. Two of John the Baptist’s disciples left the herald to follow the King (Jn. 1:35-51).
   1. Andrew and John were the first two.
   2. They each went to get their brothers (Peter & James).
   3. On the way to Galilee, they gathered two more (Philip & Nathanael).

John Chapter Two

1. John records the first miracle of Jesus—turning the water to wine (Jn. 2:1-11).
   1. These 7 miracles recorded in John are “signs” designed to communicate the heavenly source of His message.  σημεῖον sēmeion ^#4592: sign, mark, token.
   2. Although it was not yet his hour for marriage, He graciously provided for the needs of others.
   3. In the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Jewish custom of purification will no longer be necessary.
2. John records the first cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem (Jn. 2:13-22), distinct from the second cleansing which occurred during the Passion Week.  In this first public work, Christ revealed the Father’s House (Jn. 2:16).
3. The Lord demonstrated a shrewdness in not drawing these miracle-observing believers into His inner circle of trust (Jn. 2:24-25; Matt. 10:16).