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2 Jesus: Relationship to Synagogue Observations on Worship ©2012Barry Liesch Biola University La Mirada, California

3 A New Era John the Baptist prediction John preaching to the people: I baptize you in water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I…He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matt 3:11 John preaching to the people: I baptize you in water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I…He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matt 3:11

4 A New Era Jesus baptism: Dove, Voice And after being baptized, Jesus went up from the water, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him, and behold a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:11 And after being baptized, Jesus went up from the water, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him, and behold a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:11 Two-fold authentication: symbol, words Two-fold authentication: symbol, words

5 In the Synagogue Jesus reads the Scroll The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. OT reading. Essential of Synagogue worship

6 In the Synagogue Jesus sits down Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone were fastened on him, and he began saying to them, Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone were fastened on him, and he began saying to them,

7 In the Synagogue Jesus prophesizes! Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth Luke 4:18-22 Luke 4:18-22

8 Some Observations of Jesus and Synagogue Practice His custom: worshiping on the Sabbath worshiping regularly worshiping regularly Stands up to read Unrolls scroll (from Ark) Reads from the prophets (lectionary format) Reading precedes preaching Hands scroll to attendant Sits down to preach/prophecy (homily) Accepts/conforms to Synagogue traditions?

9 Jesus retires to pray But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and great multitudes were gathering to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But He himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray. Luke 5:15-16 Luke 5:15-16

10 Jesus On worship Acquiring integrity in prayer Go to closet (or wilderness?), pray in private Evaluating offerings Observe widow and her two mites She gave all she had Establishing priorities Reconcile first, then bring offering

11 Reconcile first, then bring gift Jesus If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother; and then come and present your offering. Matt 5:23-24 Matt 5:23-24

12 Jesus (like the prophets) Rebukes Rabbi Practices When Giving: don’t sound the trumpet Praying: don’t babble, try to manipulate, Fasting: don’t disfigure face Phylacteries: don’t try to appear devout Seats of honor/titles: don’t try to act big Applications for worship leaders today? ? ? Temptation to appear more spiritual than we are Temptation to appear more spiritual than we are

13 Jesus (like the prophets) Emphasis on the Heart Jesus This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me. Matt 5:8-9

14 His view of the synagogue Jesus What was Jesus’ view of the Synagogue? Negative? Negative? Positive? Positive? Explain, discuss

15 Man born blind… Kicked out of Synagogue Opposition to Jesus escalates John 5-10 Jesus heals the man born blind, but… Jesus heals the man born blind, but… Fear grips his parents Fear grips his parents  Parents fear the Jews, because they “had already agreed, that if any one should confess Him to be the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. John 9:22 Jesus later learns: “they had put him out” v35 Jesus later learns: “they had put him out” v35 Foreshadows sad, eventual synagogue “split”

16 Three references document that Jesus was Worshiped

17 Worshiped by man born blind Jesus Do you believe in the Son of Man? He answered and said, And who is He, Lord, that I may believe in him? Jesus said, …He is the one talking to you. And he said, Lord I believe. And he worshiped Him. John 9:35-38 John 9:35-38

18 Worshiped after the Resurrection Jesus And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped Him. Matt 28:9 Matt 28:9

19 John: Vision of Jesus in Heaven Jesus His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire…. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. Rev 1:14, 17 Rev 1:14, 17

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21 Last Supper Turning point of worship Moses at Sinai: This is the blood of the covenant (Ex 24:8) New Covenant predicted by Jeremiah The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant (Jer 31:31) Jesus inaugurates better covenant This is my blood of the new covenant