Essentials #4 – Study Questions
Essentials – What We Believe – Week #4
The Person of Jesus: Luke 19:28-48
INTRODUCTION:
The seventeen miles from Jericho up to Jerusalem is a rugged walk, ascending thirty-five hundred feet. Bethany was on the southeastern side of the Mount of Olives, just a couple of miles from Jerusalem. The mountain consisted of three peaks, with the highest at three thousand feet. It is disputed whether Jesus sent the two disciples to Bethany. His purpose in the arrangements is definitely to show messianic fulfillment, centering on three passages: Zechariah 14:4, which prophesies that Yahweh will stand on the Mount of Olives on the day of Yahweh; Genesis 49:10–11, stating that the lion of the tribe of Judah will tether his donkey and colt to a branch; and 2 Samuel 15:30–31, when David returned to Jerusalem (after Absalom had forced him to flee) on a donkey. Jesus’ purpose here is to show that he will not be the conquering messiah they are expecting who will bring the armies of heaven to destroy Israel’s enemies. Rather, he is the Suffering Servant, who is coming to defeat a different enemy, the sinfulness of humankind, and bring messianic peace, as symbolized by the donkey.[1] The sad reality is that the crowds were half-right. Jesus is long-promised Messiah and the rightful King. They just didn’t understand that his kingdom is not of this earth. And, what he offered them and offers us today is far greater than anything this age could offer. Who Jesus is matters. The crowds get his identity half right, but they miss the most important part.
The critical turning point in the Gospel plot hinges on this question. Near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Then he turned and asked, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16:15; cf. Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). From that point on, Jesus began to head toward Jerusalem and his death. John makes answering this question of Jesus’ identity his primary concern in writing his Gospel: “[T]hese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Jesus Christ has always been a controversial figure. However, unlike other figures in history, the controversy surrounding Jesus of Nazareth has not focused primarily on his teaching, or even on his actions, but on how these point to his identity. His moral instruction has been widely acclaimed and his religious devotion almost universally admired. But the early Christians were not content with describing Jesus simply as a great moral teacher or even as a prophet of God. His words and actions compelled them to turn to the category of divinity in order to explain him. Nothing less would do. Jesus was God incarnate. In Jesus, divinity took on humanity; he was truly God and truly man. This is more than a theological proposition; it is at the heart of the gospel, for we believe that God’s gospel—the good news of God’s saving work—is supremely revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.[2]
Article #4 – “We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.”
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together, if you had to describe Jesus to someone who had never heard of him before, what would you begin with, and why?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions about the article of faith we are studying that week.
- How would you answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
- What is core to this article of faith? That is, what is something that, if you took it away or changed it, it would significantly alter the article of faith about God?
- What is clarified for you in this article of faith about Jesus, both his humanity and divinity?
- What is confusing for you in this article of faith? Take time as a group to chat through and offer perspectives on the things that are confusing. The beauty of a group is that often when we study together, we help sharpen and clarify what is confusing for one another.
- How does this article on Jesus apply to my everyday life? That is, how does it change my outlook and approach to my Monday-Saturday life?
[1] Grant R. Osborne, Luke: Verse by Verse, ed. Jeffrey Reimer, Elliot Ritzema, and Danielle Thevenaz, Awa Sarah, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018), 453.
[2] EFCA. Evangelical Convictions, 2nd Edition (pp. 114-115). Free Church Publications. Kindle Edition.