Welcome to Episode #133 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our fifth of eight episodes in our seventeenth mini-series, The Man Jesus Christ. On this episode we’re going to look at what the scriptures reveal about Jesus’ entrance into ministry. He didn’t start with a whimper. To demonstrate the kingdom of God he was proclaiming Jesus kicked off with a Miracle Extravaganza!
Before getting into our text today I want to frame the foundation of the podcast episodes for this and the next several mini-series. Jesus in his ministry called people to follow him; to become his disciples. He trained his disciples to show other people also how to follow him [Jesus] after he returned to heaven. The disciples of the disciples “all” following the same Rabbi, teacher, Jesus trained others how to follow Jesus up to today.
But how is one supposed to follow a guy that lived over two millennia ago? Jesus had that covered from the very beginning. He told his disciples in John 14:16 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John tells us in 1 John 2:27 – But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
From these two passages we learn that the Holy Spirit that abides in believers will teach them all things, bring to remembrance all that Jesus said, and teach them about everything. All things, all that Jesus said, and everything are pretty all inclusive.
Jesus disciples literally followed him around listening to his preaching, seeing and hearing his interactions with people, and witnessing his performance of great signs and wonders. He would question them from time to time as to their thoughts and provide feedback. He had his disciples participate with him in the feeding of the multitudes. He eventually sent his disciples out two by two to do what they had been seeing him do. They went and did as Jesus had done, and they all returned amazed.
Paul tells his disciple Timothy, his follower of Jesus he’s training in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
By the third century, monastic monks had formalized a discipleship they practiced to follow Jesus. It included the reading of scripture in the Spirit, prayer/conversation with Jesus through the Spirit regarding the text read, meditation on the text with the Spirit’s guidance, and finally contemplation of the text throughout the day. With the Holy Spirit as your guide, it is simply sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning from him through his word. The name of this practice is Lectio Divina. Look it up as there is a lot written that is helpful to get you started on the Way into the heart of the Father.
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