While we've been hearing about Jesus in the gospel of Luke, chapter 4 is when we begin hearing from him. Jesus has plenty to say about who he is and his purpose -- which he begins acting upon quickly. But before that, there's one more component to his preparation: 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil. This is the first mention of the devil in Luke and the only time he makes a personal appearance. But we'll encounter demons at various points in the book -- including later in this chapter.
I'd like to hear what you think about the devil and these evil spirits. Are they real? Do you accept this account of the temptation and these demon stories at face value? I'd also like to hear what you think this story tells us about who the devil is, how he operates and the nature of temptation.
Jesus went to his hometown to announce who he is and proclaim his purpose. He does this in the synagogue by saying he has fulfilled a prophecy of Isaiah in 4:18-19 -- essentially saying he is the Christ. Look back at how John in 3:16-17 describes the coming Christ. It's largely a picture of judgement. Does Jesus have a different message here? I'd like to hear what you think of that message and if it applies to you.
What happens next in 4:22-30 always strikes me as a strange twist. But the people's response to Jesus seems to come out of not accepting his claim to be the Christ (v. 21) and his suggestion that God had bypassed Israelites to help Gentiles (v. 26-27).
Does the last part of this chapter, when Jesus heads to Capernaum to teach, cast out demons and heal the sick, match with his purpose as stated in Isaiah? I'd like you to consider if the Isaiah passage could have a spiritual as well as a physical meaning. If so, does it have more application for middle-class kids and adults living in the midst of a free and democratic society, like us?
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