Luke 7: A “Chapter” in Jesus’ Life (3)Unyime Akpan - October 15Luke 7:18-35An imprisoned prophet, makes a request to JesusHoping Jesus will perform a miracle for himJesus declares John the Baptist the greatest person that ever livedA sinful woman demonstrates faith in Jesus for spiritual healingA woman of low standing has a needJesus performs the greatest miracle, salvation, spiritual resurrectionKey Biblical Passages on the Life of John the BaptistMatthew 3:1-17; Matthew 11:1-15Luke 1:5-24; 39-45; 57-80; Luke 3:1-21; Luke 7:18-35Mark 1:1-11; John 1:1-34; John 3:22-36Portrait of a Great LifeBefore John was imprisonedIt was prophesied that John will be great before his birthJohn prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ) John introduced the Messiah to IsraelJohn voluntarily exit the stage for the MessiahIt was prophesied that John will be great before his birthLuke 1:12-17John’s job description - Luke 1:67,76-77, 79-80John –God is graciousTrue greatness is before God and not the worldNot guaranteed John will live up to the prophesiesZachariah and Elizabeth trained JohnObeyed & spoke to John about Gabriel’s prophesy and John’s missionTraining focused on obedience to God’s wordTraining not focused on material/physical prosperity and achievementsAdult John: home: wilderness, food: locust and honey, cloth: camel’s hairJohn Prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ)World’s greatest peopleRoman rulers: Tiberius Caeser, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip; Lysanias The high priests: Annas and Caiaphas –Israel’s greatest men John, ‘a world’s nobody’God’s word came to John and he obeyedJesus identified John as a great manLuke 3:2-6Luke 3:7-15Mark 1:1-8John’s physical/material lifestyle (wealthy?)Not named among ‘the world greatest men at the time’Home: wilderness (and figuratively the state of the Israel)Cloth: camel hair (dressed for success?)Food: locust and honey (culinary delight?)Very simple and below ordinary lifestyleJohn’s message repent for forgiveness of sin, show fruit of repentanceuncompromising message, popular with the common people.message not popular with the religious elitesproclaimed forgiveness in the wilderness, (not at the temple with animal sacrifices)Message centered on repentance and forgiveness without temple sacrificeJohns Audienceall Judea, all Jerusalemvery popular and successful ministryJohn had the chance ‘to make it’ but he did not take his chanceMost thought John was the expected Christ (Messiah) John introduced Jesus He comes after me, mightier than II am not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals strap. Compared to Jesus, John considered himself lower than a Jewish slaveWhat we learn about John so farJohn –the first name assigned in the New testamentJohn -God is gracious (new testament begins with God’s grace)True greatness is before God and not the worldJohn’s parent were faithful to the word of GodJohn was:Obedient and faithful to his calling and did not aim to be greatProclaimed uncompromising message of repentance & forgiveness Very simple and below ordinary physical/material lifestyleWas not carried away by his success -large crowd, messiah expectation A very humble man, compared to Jesus, John saw himself lower than a Jewish slaveWhat made John great? Answer: John had the mind of Christ (a humble attitude)Philippians 2:5-11