The Power and Purpose of the Kingdom: Jesus Begins His Ministry
- Be God's Glory
- 5 days ago
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 297 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
Luke 4–6 chronicles the launch of Jesus’ public ministry, revealing His authority, divine mission, and the nature of God’s Kingdom. These chapters depict Jesus teaching, performing miracles, confronting temptation, and calling His first disciples, showing that His ministry combines power with compassion. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ authority over Satan, sickness, and sin, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God is both present and transformative. The narrative highlights the inclusivity of God’s mission—reaching the marginalized, the sinners, and the oppressed—and establishes the principles of discipleship, faith, and radical obedience that define life in the Kingdom. Throughout these chapters, Luke presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture and the Messiah sent to bring salvation and restoration.
Luke 4
Luke 4 begins with Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He faces and resists Satan’s temptations, demonstrating perfect obedience and reliance on God’s Word. He then begins His public ministry in Galilee, reading Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and declaring that He fulfills the prophecy of bringing good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, and sight for the blind. This bold declaration triggers both amazement and opposition, showing that God’s message challenges societal norms and expectations. Jesus’ miracles in Capernaum reveal His authority over unclean spirits and sickness, affirming His divine identity. The chapter highlights the tension between acceptance and rejection that often accompanies God’s work and illustrates the power of the Spirit guiding Christ in His mission.
Luke 5
Luke 5 shows Jesus calling His first disciples, emphasizing the transformative power of encountering Him personally. Through the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus demonstrates His authority over creation and His ability to provide abundantly for those who trust Him. The chapter also highlights His ministry of mercy, as He heals a leper and forgives a paralytic, revealing His authority to forgive sins, which was considered divine prerogative. The crowds’ amazement reflects the recognition of His unique power and holiness. By calling Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, Jesus demonstrates God’s inclusivity and His desire for all, including society’s outcasts, to participate in the Kingdom. The chapter emphasizes that responding to Jesus requires immediate faith and radical commitment.
Luke 6
Luke 6 focuses on Jesus’ teaching about the principles of the Kingdom, including the Sabbath, love for enemies, and the importance of mercy over ritual. He selects the Twelve Apostles, illustrating God’s intentional plan for leadership and discipleship. Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, turning worldly values upside down and emphasizing blessing for the poor, hungry, and persecuted while teaching radical love and forgiveness. The chapter also includes warnings about judging others, the importance of building life on obedience to God’s Word, and the call to action in following Him. By combining ethical teaching with practical examples, Jesus shows that God’s Kingdom is both a present reality and a moral standard. Luke 6 presents God’s character as just, merciful, and transformative, inviting believers into a life of faith and Kingdom living.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Luke comes from the Latin Lucas or Lucanus, which is believed to be derived from the Greek word Loukas, meaning “light-giving” or “bringer of light.” This meaning is fitting, as the Gospel of Luke shines light on Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, illuminating God’s love, mercy, and salvation.
Purpose of the Book:
Luke explicitly states his purpose in Luke 1:3–4:“…it seemed good to me also… to write an orderly account… that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Primary Purposes:
To present an accurate historical account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
To show Jesus as the Savior of all people—not only Jews but also Gentiles, women, the poor, and the marginalized.
To emphasize the humanity and compassion of Jesus, highlighting His role as the “Son of Man.”
To provide assurance to believers that the Christian faith is grounded in truth and eyewitness testimony.
To prepare readers for the mission of the Church, which is continued in the Book of Acts.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Gospel of Luke is universally attributed to Luke the physician, a Gentile companion of the Apostle Paul. Evidence from Scripture and early church history strongly supports this authorship:
Biblical Evidence:
Colossians 4:14 – Paul refers to “Luke, the beloved physician,” distinguishing him from Jewish companions, indicating he was likely a Gentile.
2 Timothy 4:11 – “Only Luke is with me,” showing a close companionship.
Philemon 24 – Luke is listed among Paul’s fellow laborers.
Acts 1:1 directly references the Gospel of Luke as its first volume: “In my former book, Theophilus…”—showing that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts.
Historical and External Sources:
Early Church Fathers
Irenaeus (AD 180) stated: “Luke, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.”
Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century) confirmed Luke as the author in his Ecclesiastical History.
The Muratorian Fragment (circa AD 170) identifies Luke as the physician who wrote the Gospel.
Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry but gathered his information carefully from eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1–4). His Gospel is the most historically and chronologically detailed, reflecting the work of a careful researcher and historian.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure; presented as the Son of Man and Savior of the world.
Mary – The mother of Jesus; her faith and prophetic declarations are highlighted.
Zechariah and Elizabeth – Parents of John the Baptist, showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant.
John the Baptist – The forerunner of the Messiah.
The Apostles – Especially Peter, James, John, and the Twelve.
Simeon and Anna – Prophets who confirm Jesus' identity shortly after His birth.
Herod Antipas – Ruler involved in Jesus’ trial.
Pontius Pilate – Roman governor who presides over Jesus’ crucifixion.
The women disciples – Especially Mary Magdalene and other women who play a prominent role in supporting Jesus’ ministry and witnessing His resurrection.
Theophilus – The individual to whom Luke’s Gospel is addressed; believed to be a high-ranking official or patron.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Luke concludes with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, confirming His identity as the risen Messiah and Son of God. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the unstoppable nature of God’s salvation plan. Luke ends with a call to witness: Jesus commissions His disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations, starting from Jerusalem (Luke 24:46–49).
The Book of Luke shines as a Gospel of hope, compassion, and divine purpose, inviting believers to see Jesus as the Savior who came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It bridges the Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Christ and prepares the stage for the global mission of the Church continued in Acts. It is a testimony that the light has come into the world—not for one nation only, but for all humanity.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Luke 4
In Luke 4, God’s character is revealed as sovereign, powerful, and faithful. He equips Jesus with the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and begin His public ministry, demonstrating that God empowers His people to overcome evil. God’s love is evident as He prioritizes the oppressed, poor, and marginalized, showing His desire to restore and bring justice. His character combines authority with compassion, revealing that His Kingdom advances through both power and mercy.
In this chapter, God is revealed as El Shaddai (God Almighty) through Jesus’ authority over Satan and unclean spirits, and as Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), reflecting His provision through Jesus’ miracles and ministry. The lesson in Luke 4 is that God equips His followers with strength, wisdom, and the Spirit to confront challenges and fulfill His purposes, calling us to trust Him and step boldly into the work He assigns.
Luke 5
In Luke 5, God’s character is displayed as gracious, inclusive, and transformative. He calls ordinary people, like fishermen and a tax collector, to become His disciples, demonstrating that God sees potential and purpose in all individuals. His compassion is shown in healing the sick and forgiving sins, revealing His mercy and power to restore life. God’s nature is both personal and relational, inviting people into fellowship and service in His Kingdom.
Although no specific Hebrew names are explicitly mentioned, God’s actions reflect Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) through the healing of the paralytic and Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) as He forgives sins. The lesson is that God calls people into transformation, both spiritually and practically, and invites us to respond in faith, trust, and obedience, leaving behind what hinders our participation in His Kingdom.
Luke 6
In Luke 6, God’s character is shown as just, merciful, and transformative. He sets moral standards for His Kingdom through Jesus’ teachings, prioritizing mercy, love for enemies, and obedience over ritualistic observance. God empowers His followers to live countercultural lives that reflect His values, rewarding those who trust Him even in difficulty. His character is both relational and redemptive, inviting us into life that exemplifies His mercy, justice, and holiness.
There are no specific Hebrew names mentioned, but God’s nature is reflected in His justice and mercy, as seen in the principles of the Beatitudes and ethical teachings. The lesson in this chapter is that God calls His followers to live faithfully, love radically, and build their lives on obedience to His Word, showing that Kingdom living requires both faith and action.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ victory over temptation in the wilderness reveal God’s power and faithfulness?
In what ways does God demonstrate compassion and care for the marginalized and oppressed through Jesus’ ministry?
How does God’s authority over sickness, unclean spirits, and nature reflect His sovereignty and holiness?
What do the call of the first disciples and the healing miracles reveal about God’s grace and inclusivity?
How is God’s mercy shown in His forgiveness of sins, and what does this reveal about His character?
How does Jesus’ teaching about love for enemies and mercy reflect God’s justice and righteousness?
How can we see God’s character in the balance between His power, holiness, and intimate care for humanity in these chapters?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of preparation and empowerment by the Holy Spirit shape Jesus’ ministry in these chapters?
What does the theme of reversal (exalting the humble, humbling the proud) teach about God’s Kingdom values?
How is the theme of faith demonstrated through the miraculous catch of fish and the healing of the paralytic?
How do the teachings of the Beatitudes introduce the theme of Kingdom ethics and countercultural living?
In what ways do miracles and healing in these chapters emphasize God’s mission of restoration and redemption?
How does the theme of discipleship emerge through the call of Levi and the Twelve Apostles?
What overarching theme connects Jesus’ authority, teaching, and miracles to the nature of God’s Kingdom?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can you rely on God’s Word and Spirit to resist temptation in your own life, as Jesus did in the wilderness?
In what ways can you show mercy and compassion to marginalized or overlooked people in your community?
How do these chapters inspire you to trust God for provision, healing, and restoration in difficult situations?
How can you respond to God’s call to discipleship and radical obedience in your daily life?
What steps can you take to live according to Kingdom principles, such as loving enemies and practicing mercy?
How do these chapters challenge your understanding of God’s power, authority, and inclusivity?
How can the examples of faith, repentance, and obedience in Luke 4–6 shape the way you follow Christ today?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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