Sabbath, April 19 – Luke 4, 5 – Additional Reading: The Review and Herald, September 1, 1874, Andrews Study Bible (ASB) pg.1337, EGW Manuscript 3, 1898

1. When Jesus returned from the Jordan, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness for how many days? And what did he eat? Luke 4:2

2. How did Jesus respond to the devil’s last temptation? Luke 4:9-12

3. What book of the Bible did Jesus read from in the synagogue in Nazareth, and why was this important? Luke 4:16-19

4. When Jesus met the tax collector named Levi, what were the first words Jesus spoke to him, and how did Levi respond? Luke 5:27-28

5. When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees and Scribes why he ate and drank with sinners and tax collectors, how did he respond? Luke 5:30-32

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, we see Jesus face temptation in the wilderness as the devil challenges him, and Jesus demonstrates the strength of faith in times of trial. There, he grapples with hunger and spiritual trials that test his complete commitment to the service of His heavenly Father. Ellen White tells us how we should understand what Jesus went through as he faced the temptations and hunger. “Many who profess godliness do not inquire into the reason of Christ’s long period of fasting and suffering in the wilderness. His anguish was not so much from enduring hunger pangs as from His sense of the fearful result of the indulgence of appetite and passion upon the race. He knew that appetite would be man’s idol, and would lead him to forget God, and would stand directly in the way of his salvation” (The Review and Herald, September 1, 1874).

Following this testing period, the chapter transitions to the beginning of his ministry in Galilee, where he passionately proclaims the arrival of the Kingdom of God. “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose. (Luke 4:43) However, the story takes a poignant turn as he returns to his hometown of Nazareth, where he faces unexpected rejection from those who once knew him. Despite this setback, Jesus continued his remarkable work in Capernaum, performing miracles and teaching with authority, showcasing his divine power and fulfilling the ancient prophecies that foretold his mission.

Luke 4:16-19, we find a significant moment in which Jesus, standing in the synagogue, reads from the ancient scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He quotes a powerful passage from Isaiah 61:1-2, a text rich with hope and promise. However, it is noteworthy that Jesus intentionally pauses before completing verse two. He declares, “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,” a profound declaration of grace and salvation. Yet, he leaves unspoken the continuation, which refers to “the day of vengeance of our God.”

This omission carries deep significance. Jesus presents Himself as the gentle Lamb during His first coming, embodying compassion and redemption. But He will return as the triumphant Lion, heralding a new era when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fully realized, bringing justice and restoration. In this moment, we are reminded of the dual nature of His mission: to offer grace now and to fulfill divine justice in the future.

Luke chapter 5, Jesus begins his ministry by the Sea of Galilee, where he encounters weary fishermen who have caught nothing all night. With compassion and authority, he instructs Simon Peter to cast his nets again, resulting in a miraculous catch of fish that leaves the fishermen in awe. This transformative moment marks the beginning of their journey as disciples, as Jesus calls them to be fishing for men. “It is only after Simon has seen Jesus’ authority and recognized his own sinfulness that Jesus calls him to join in bringing people into the kingdom.” ASB pg. 1337

The chapter also highlights themes of forgiveness and healing. Jesus reaches out to a man with leprosy, breaking societal norms by touching him and demonstrating a powerful message of inclusion. (5:12-16) He forgives the sins of a paralyzed man, showcasing his authority that goes beyond physical healing to the core of the soul. (5:17-28)

Jesus demonstrates that we are to go where the Gospel is needed as He eats with society’s outcasts, the ones shunned by popular opinion of the religious leaders at the feast prepared by Levi. “Jesus never refused an invitation to such a feast. The object ever before Him was to sow in the hearts of His hearers the seeds of truth through His winning conversation to draw hearts to Himself. In His every act Christ had a purpose, and the lesson which He gave on this occasion was timely and appropriate. By this act, He declared that even publicans and sinners were not excluded from His presence. (EGW Manuscript 3, 1898)

Luke emphasizes Jesus’s call to faith, redemption, and a new understanding of righteousness. We are tasked with sharing the Gospel with everyone, even those who are often avoided. If we don’t reach out to them, how will they know?