Life of ChristLife of Christ

Part Six: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee Part Six: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee – Part 3– Part 3

AndAndPart Seven: The Ministry of Christ Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ

around Galilee – Part 1around Galilee – Part 1

Overview of Christ’s Public Overview of Christ’s Public MinistryMinistry

Birt

h

First Year

OPENINGEVENTS

4 months

Joh

n in

trod

uces

Jesu

s

EARLYMINISTRIES

OBSCURITY(VANISHING)

Largely in Judea

8 months

POPULARITY(DECLINING)

Jesu

s re

turn

s to

G

alile

e

Jesu

s a

pp

oin

ts th

e

Tw

elv

e

4 mos. 10 mos.

Galilee

Second Year

PRIVATEPREPARATION

Around Galilee

6 months

To T

yre

an

d

Sid

on

OPPOSITION(INCREASING)

Third Year

Tab

ern

acle

s

PUBLICPRESENTATION

Geography of Geography of Life of ChristLife of Christ

Key Regions:

Judea

Galilee

Decapolis

Perea

Samaria

Jerusalem

12 months

14 months

. Chorazin. Bethsaida (?)

6 months

Mysteries of the Kingdomteaching takes place on thisside of Sea of Galilee.

Raising of Jairus’daughter

Healing of GeraseneDemoniacs

Jesus’ withdrawal from Galilee;feeds 5000 here.

Sends disciples aheadto thisBethsaida

HealingsatGennesaret

Fed multitude findsJesus at Capernaum.

Continuing OppositionContinuing Opposition

Departure across the sea and calming the Departure across the sea and calming the storm (Matt 13:53; 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-storm (Matt 13:53; 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)41; Luke 8:22-25) Jesus slept soundly after a very difficult day. Jesus slept soundly after a very difficult day.

Here is a double miracle, with both the wind Here is a double miracle, with both the wind and the water becoming calm at once.and the water becoming calm at once.

Healing the Gerasene demoniacs and Healing the Gerasene demoniacs and resultant opposition (Matt 8:28-34; Mark resultant opposition (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) Unlike earlier healings, Jesus commanded this Unlike earlier healings, Jesus commanded this

man to go and tell what the Lord had done for man to go and tell what the Lord had done for him. This was a different situation in him. This was a different situation in Decapolis, with no Jewish opponents in the Decapolis, with no Jewish opponents in the area and no other missionaries.area and no other missionaries.

Continuing OppositionContinuing Opposition

Return to Galilee, healing of woman who touched Christ’s Return to Galilee, healing of woman who touched Christ’s garment, and raising of Jairus’ daughter (Matt 9:18-26; garment, and raising of Jairus’ daughter (Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56) Jairus, as a synagogue official in the area, no doubt knew about Jairus, as a synagogue official in the area, no doubt knew about

Jesus earlier healings of both the royal official’s child and the Jesus earlier healings of both the royal official’s child and the centurion’s servant.centurion’s servant.

Three miracles of healing and another blasphemous Three miracles of healing and another blasphemous accusation (Matt 9:27-34)accusation (Matt 9:27-34) Jesus heals two blind men and a dumb man who was demon-Jesus heals two blind men and a dumb man who was demon-

possessed, yet the Pharisees still maintain that He is an ally of possessed, yet the Pharisees still maintain that He is an ally of Satan.Satan.

Final visit to unbelieving Nazareth (Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-Final visit to unbelieving Nazareth (Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6a)6a) This visit to Nazareth is about a year after the citizens of this This visit to Nazareth is about a year after the citizens of this

town had tried to murder Jesus. Once again, they took offense town had tried to murder Jesus. Once again, they took offense at Him. Jesus marveled at their unbelief and did not do many at Him. Jesus marveled at their unbelief and did not do many miracles there.miracles there.

Final Galilean CampaignFinal Galilean Campaign Shortage of workers (Matt 9:35-38; Mark 6:6b)Shortage of workers (Matt 9:35-38; Mark 6:6b)

Jesus felt compassion for the multitudes, who were like sheep Jesus felt compassion for the multitudes, who were like sheep without a shepherd. In order to effectively evangelize them, without a shepherd. In order to effectively evangelize them, more workers were needed.more workers were needed.

Commissioning of the twelve (Matt 10:1-42; Mark 6:7-Commissioning of the twelve (Matt 10:1-42; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-5)11; Luke 9:1-5) Jesus continued to restrict His outreach to those to whom the Jesus continued to restrict His outreach to those to whom the

kingdom had been originally promised, even though their kingdom had been originally promised, even though their leadership had already rejected him. The broader responsibility leadership had already rejected him. The broader responsibility of going to the nations would only come after Jesus’ of going to the nations would only come after Jesus’ crucifixion.crucifixion.

The disciples were not to take many provisions, but to depend The disciples were not to take many provisions, but to depend upon God. Jesus evidently did not expect a favorable upon God. Jesus evidently did not expect a favorable reception to this mission, based on earlier treatment of reception to this mission, based on earlier treatment of Himself, and warned the disciples ahead of time what they Himself, and warned the disciples ahead of time what they would face.would face.

Workers sent out (Matt 11:1; Mark 6:12-13; Luke 9:6)Workers sent out (Matt 11:1; Mark 6:12-13; Luke 9:6) The disciples went out to the various villages of Galilee, The disciples went out to the various villages of Galilee,

preaching the Gospel and performing authenticating works.preaching the Gospel and performing authenticating works.

Final Galilean CampaignFinal Galilean Campaign

Antipas’ mistaken identification of Jesus (Matt Antipas’ mistaken identification of Jesus (Matt 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9)14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9) The extended outreach provided by the twelve brought The extended outreach provided by the twelve brought

Jesus greater fame and thus attention from Herod Jesus greater fame and thus attention from Herod Antipas, whose domain included Galilee and Perea.Antipas, whose domain included Galilee and Perea.

Earlier imprisonment and beheading of John the Earlier imprisonment and beheading of John the Baptist (Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29)Baptist (Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29) This section provides historical background on John’s This section provides historical background on John’s

execution. John’s imprisonment began about a year and execution. John’s imprisonment began about a year and a half earlier, at the same time that Jesus began His a half earlier, at the same time that Jesus began His Galilean ministry.Galilean ministry.

Return of the workers (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10a)Return of the workers (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10a) The twelve were reunited with Jesus and reported to Him The twelve were reunited with Jesus and reported to Him

all that they had done and taught.all that they had done and taught.

Part Seven: The Ministry of Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Galilee – Christ around Galilee –

Part 1Part 1

Change in Relationship toward Change in Relationship toward the Multitudesthe Multitudes

Prior to this time, Jesus made it a point (with a few Prior to this time, Jesus made it a point (with a few exceptions) to go to the multitudes. The months to exceptions) to go to the multitudes. The months to follow were especially characterized by His withdrawal follow were especially characterized by His withdrawal from the crowds (again, with exceptions). Thomas from the crowds (again, with exceptions). Thomas (Harmony, p. 101) gives five contributing factors:(Harmony, p. 101) gives five contributing factors: The jealousy of Herod Antipas. Jesus left Galilee to avoid any The jealousy of Herod Antipas. Jesus left Galilee to avoid any

further retaliatory steps by Herod because of the widespread further retaliatory steps by Herod because of the widespread publicity resulting from the final Galilean campaign.publicity resulting from the final Galilean campaign.

The misguided zeal of followers who sought to make Jesus The misguided zeal of followers who sought to make Jesus accept the throne of Israel prematurely.accept the throne of Israel prematurely.

The hostility of Jewish leaders, which increased as the The hostility of Jewish leaders, which increased as the Galilean ministry progressed.Galilean ministry progressed.

The disciples need to rest after the grueling tours.The disciples need to rest after the grueling tours. The opportunity for more personalized instruction of the The opportunity for more personalized instruction of the

disciples. Their ministries throughout Galilee had probably disciples. Their ministries throughout Galilee had probably created many questions. They now had a different kind of created many questions. They now had a different kind of opportunity to learn about and from Jesus.opportunity to learn about and from Jesus.

Lesson on the Bread of LifeLesson on the Bread of Life

Withdrawal from Galilee (Matt 14:13-14; Withdrawal from Galilee (Matt 14:13-14; Mark 6:31-34; Luke 9:10b-11; John 6:1-3)Mark 6:31-34; Luke 9:10b-11; John 6:1-3) This point marks a shift from a This point marks a shift from a

predominantly public ministry to a predominantly public ministry to a predominantly private one. Other shifts predominantly private one. Other shifts include:include:

Emphasis on the King replaced emphasis on the Emphasis on the King replaced emphasis on the kingdomkingdom

More instruction preparing the disciples for a More instruction preparing the disciples for a period of Jesus’ absenceperiod of Jesus’ absence

Limitation to ministry outside of Galilee, with Limitation to ministry outside of Galilee, with brief visits back to that regionbrief visits back to that region

Lesson on the Bread of LifeLesson on the Bread of Life

Feeding the five thousand (Matt 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Feeding the five thousand (Matt 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:4-13)Luke 9:12-17; John 6:4-13) This event took place at Bethsaida, just north of the Sea of This event took place at Bethsaida, just north of the Sea of

Galilee. It was an important lesson to the disciples concerning Galilee. It was an important lesson to the disciples concerning Jesus’ power. Counting women and children, the crowd Jesus’ power. Counting women and children, the crowd probably exceeded 12,000.probably exceeded 12,000.

A premature attempt to make Jesus king blocked (Matt A premature attempt to make Jesus king blocked (Matt 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:14-15)14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:14-15) Once again, Jesus refused to accede to popular demand. He Once again, Jesus refused to accede to popular demand. He

came indeed to establish a kingdom, but the people thus far came indeed to establish a kingdom, but the people thus far had clearly not accepted its moral requirements. They simply had clearly not accepted its moral requirements. They simply wanted what Jesus’ power could provide.wanted what Jesus’ power could provide.

Walking on the water during a storm at sea (Matt 14:24-33; Walking on the water during a storm at sea (Matt 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21)Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21) Jesus had left the disciples in the evening (about 6:00 PM), and Jesus had left the disciples in the evening (about 6:00 PM), and

rejoined them at the fourth watch (between 3:00 and 6:00 AM). rejoined them at the fourth watch (between 3:00 and 6:00 AM). During the intervening 9 to 12 hours, the disciples were During the intervening 9 to 12 hours, the disciples were battling the storm while Jesus was praying on the mountain.battling the storm while Jesus was praying on the mountain.

This experience was one more step in the disciples’ This experience was one more step in the disciples’ appreciation of Jesus’ character.appreciation of Jesus’ character.

Lesson on the Bread of LifeLesson on the Bread of Life Healings at Gennesaret (Matt 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56)Healings at Gennesaret (Matt 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56)

Gennesaret was a fertile plain just south of Capernaum, on the Gennesaret was a fertile plain just south of Capernaum, on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Despite their leaders’ rejection west side of the Sea of Galilee. Despite their leaders’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah, the people of Galilee were still more than of Jesus as Messiah, the people of Galilee were still more than willing to benefit from His power.willing to benefit from His power.

Discourse on the true bread of life (John 6:22-59)Discourse on the true bread of life (John 6:22-59) Jesus rebukes the multitudes for seeking Him for the wrong Jesus rebukes the multitudes for seeking Him for the wrong

reason, and exhorts them to work for the food which endures reason, and exhorts them to work for the food which endures to eternal life. He contrasts Himself as the bread of life with to eternal life. He contrasts Himself as the bread of life with the bread given to the Israelites in the wilderness.the bread given to the Israelites in the wilderness.

““I am the bread of Life” is the first of seven “I am” statements I am the bread of Life” is the first of seven “I am” statements made by Jesus in John’s gospel. These are probably traceable made by Jesus in John’s gospel. These are probably traceable back to Exodus 3:14 and the name of God heard by Moses back to Exodus 3:14 and the name of God heard by Moses from the burning bush.from the burning bush.

Defection among the disciples (John 6:60-71)Defection among the disciples (John 6:60-71) Jesus’ strong emphasis on the need for an inner response of Jesus’ strong emphasis on the need for an inner response of

faith caused many to stop following. From this point forward in faith caused many to stop following. From this point forward in John’s gospel, the term “disciple” takes on the more restricted John’s gospel, the term “disciple” takes on the more restricted meaning of “genuine disciple.”meaning of “genuine disciple.”

Despite the public rejection by Christ, Peter and the disciples Despite the public rejection by Christ, Peter and the disciples are coming to understand who He truly is.are coming to understand who He truly is.

Next Week: Part Seven: The Next Week: Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Ministry of Christ around

Galilee – Part 2Galilee – Part 2