Day 37 – So, it begins

Study Luke 4:14-15

“And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.” Luke 4:15

These two verses are the introduction to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry here on earth. He stepped out of the wilderness stronger than He went in – even after 40 days of fasting 𝘢𝘯𝘥 experiencing victory over temptation. Though He was already filled with the Spirit, He continued to 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 of the Spirit. Clarke writes, “He who, through the grace of God, resists and overcomes temptation, is always bettered by it. This is one of the wonders of God’s grace, that those very things which are designed for our utter ruin he makes the instruments of our greatest good. Thus, Satan is ever duped by his own proceeding and caught in his own craft.”

The region of Galilee was a fertile, progressive, and densely populated area. According to estimates from the Jewish historian Josephus, approximately three million people lived in Galilee. Even allowing for potential exaggeration, his writings point to a remarkably bustling region. Josephus, who once served as a governor of Galilee, noted that there were 240 cities and villages throughout the territory, each home to at least 15,000 residents.

During this early stage of His ministry, Jesus focused heavily on teaching, and He had not yet encountered organized opposition from the Pharisees. In fact, Scripture records that He was “being glorified by all.” He brought a fresh, Kingdom-centred perspective to the very Scriptures the people had been hearing all their lives. Jesus intentionally began His ministry inside the synagogues rather than out on the streets. He carried His message directly to those who already knew the Law and had the responsibility to teach the nation. Yet, when it came to choosing His disciples, He deliberately selected men whom society considered ordinary and unworthy.

Pray with me: Father, we often read Scripture and skip important facts hidden within the text. We only start to follow Jesus’ ministry from where He selected individuals to follow Him and neglect to understand where His ministry started. I pray today for a teachable spirit, that I do not miss – like the people in the synagogues – the importance of Jesus’ ministry. Amen ©

Love, Pastor Iriza