Life of Christ Part Six: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee – Part 3 And Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Galilee – Part 1

Overview of Christ’s Public Ministry Birth First Year OPENING EVENTS 4 months John introduces Jesus EARLY MINISTRIES OBSCURITY (VANISHING) Largely in Judea 8 months POPULARITY (DECLINING) Jesus returns to Galilee Jesus appoints the Twelve 4 mos. 10 mos. Galilee Second Year PRIVATE PREPARATION Around Galilee 6 months To Tyre and Sidon OPPOSITION (INCREASING) Third Year Tabernacles PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Geography of Life of Christ Key Regions: Judea Galilee Decapolis Perea Samaria Jerusalem 12 months 14 months. Chorazin. Bethsaida (?) 6 months

Mysteries of the Kingdom teaching takes place on this side of Sea of Galilee. Raising of Jairus’ daughter Healing of Gerasene Demoniacs

Jesus’ withdrawal from Galilee; feeds 5000 here. Sends disciples ahead to this Bethsaida Healings at Gennesaret Fed multitude finds Jesus at Capernaum.

Continuing Opposition Departure across the sea and calming the storm (Matt 13:53; 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25) Departure across the sea and calming the storm (Matt 13:53; 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25) Jesus slept soundly after a very difficult day. Here is a double miracle, with both the wind and the water becoming calm at once. Jesus slept soundly after a very difficult day. Here is a double miracle, with both the wind and the water becoming calm at once. Healing the Gerasene demoniacs and resultant opposition (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) Healing the Gerasene demoniacs and resultant opposition (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) Unlike earlier healings, Jesus commanded this man to go and tell what the Lord had done for him. This was a different situation in Decapolis, with no Jewish opponents in the area and no other missionaries. Unlike earlier healings, Jesus commanded this man to go and tell what the Lord had done for him. This was a different situation in Decapolis, with no Jewish opponents in the area and no other missionaries.

Continuing Opposition Return to Galilee, healing of woman who touched Christ’s garment, and raising of Jairus’ daughter (Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56) Return to Galilee, healing of woman who touched Christ’s garment, and raising of Jairus’ daughter (Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56) Jairus, as a synagogue official in the area, no doubt knew about Jesus earlier healings of both the royal official’s child and the centurion’s servant. Jairus, as a synagogue official in the area, no doubt knew about Jesus earlier healings of both the royal official’s child and the centurion’s servant. Three miracles of healing and another blasphemous accusation (Matt 9:27-34) Three miracles of healing and another blasphemous accusation (Matt 9:27-34) Jesus heals two blind men and a dumb man who was demon- possessed, yet the Pharisees still maintain that He is an ally of Satan. Jesus heals two blind men and a dumb man who was demon- possessed, yet the Pharisees still maintain that He is an ally of Satan. Final visit to unbelieving Nazareth (Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6a) Final visit to unbelieving Nazareth (Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6a) This visit to Nazareth is about a year after the citizens of this town had tried to murder Jesus. Once again, they took offense at Him. Jesus marveled at their unbelief and did not do many miracles there. This visit to Nazareth is about a year after the citizens of this town had tried to murder Jesus. Once again, they took offense at Him. Jesus marveled at their unbelief and did not do many miracles there.

Final 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 without a shepherd. In order to effectively evangelize them, more workers were needed. Jesus felt compassion for the multitudes, who were like sheep without a shepherd. In order to effectively evangelize them, more workers were needed. Commissioning of the twelve (Matt 10:1-42; Mark 6:7- 11; Luke 9:1-5) Commissioning of the twelve (Matt 10:1-42; Mark 6:7- 11; Luke 9:1-5) Jesus continued to restrict His outreach to those to whom the kingdom had been originally promised, even though their leadership had already rejected him. The broader responsibility of going to the nations would only come after Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus continued to restrict His outreach to those to whom the kingdom had been originally promised, even though their leadership had already rejected him. The broader responsibility of going to the nations would only come after Jesus’ crucifixion. The disciples were not to take many provisions, but to depend upon God. Jesus evidently did not expect a favorable reception to this mission, based on earlier treatment of Himself, and warned the disciples ahead of time what they would face. The disciples were not to take many provisions, but to depend upon God. Jesus evidently did not expect a favorable reception to this mission, based on earlier treatment of Himself, and warned the disciples ahead of time what they 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, preaching the Gospel and performing authenticating works. The disciples went out to the various villages of Galilee, preaching the Gospel and performing authenticating works.

Final Galilean Campaign Antipas’ mistaken identification of Jesus (Matt 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9) Antipas’ mistaken identification of Jesus (Matt 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9) The extended outreach provided by the twelve brought Jesus greater fame and thus attention from Herod Antipas, whose domain included Galilee and Perea. The extended outreach provided by the twelve brought Jesus greater fame and thus attention from Herod Antipas, whose domain included Galilee and Perea. Earlier imprisonment and beheading of John the Baptist (Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29) Earlier imprisonment and beheading of John the Baptist (Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29) This section provides historical background on John’s execution. John’s imprisonment began about a year and a half earlier, at the same time that Jesus began His Galilean ministry. This section provides historical background on John’s execution. John’s imprisonment began about a year and a half earlier, at the same time that Jesus began His 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 all that they had done and taught. The twelve were reunited with Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught.

Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Galilee – Part 1

Change in Relationship toward the Multitudes Prior to this time, Jesus made it a point (with a few exceptions) to go to the multitudes. The months to follow were especially characterized by His withdrawal from the crowds (again, with exceptions). Thomas (Harmony, p. 101) gives five contributing factors: Prior to this time, Jesus made it a point (with a few exceptions) to go to the multitudes. The months to follow were especially characterized by His withdrawal from the crowds (again, with exceptions). Thomas (Harmony, p. 101) gives five contributing factors: The jealousy of Herod Antipas. Jesus left Galilee to avoid any further retaliatory steps by Herod because of the widespread publicity resulting from the final Galilean campaign. The jealousy of Herod Antipas. Jesus left Galilee to avoid any further retaliatory steps by Herod because of the widespread publicity resulting from the final Galilean campaign. The misguided zeal of followers who sought to make Jesus accept the throne of Israel prematurely. The misguided zeal of followers who sought to make Jesus accept the throne of Israel prematurely. The hostility of Jewish leaders, which increased as the Galilean ministry progressed. The hostility of Jewish leaders, which increased as the 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 disciples. Their ministries throughout Galilee had probably created many questions. They now had a different kind of opportunity to learn about and from Jesus. The opportunity for more personalized instruction of the disciples. Their ministries throughout Galilee had probably created many questions. They now had a different kind of opportunity to learn about and from Jesus.

Lesson on the Bread of Life Withdrawal from Galilee (Matt 14:13-14; Mark 6:31-34; Luke 9:10b-11; John 6:1-3) Withdrawal from Galilee (Matt 14:13-14; Mark 6:31-34; Luke 9:10b-11; John 6:1-3) This point marks a shift from a predominantly public ministry to a predominantly private one. Other shifts include: This point marks a shift from a predominantly public ministry to a predominantly private one. Other shifts include: Emphasis on the King replaced emphasis on the kingdom Emphasis on the King replaced emphasis on the kingdom More instruction preparing the disciples for a period of Jesus’ absence More instruction preparing the disciples for a period of Jesus’ absence Limitation to ministry outside of Galilee, with brief visits back to that region Limitation to ministry outside of Galilee, with brief visits back to that region

Lesson on the Bread of Life Feeding the five thousand (Matt 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:4-13) Feeding the five thousand (Matt 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:4-13) This event took place at Bethsaida, just north of the Sea of Galilee. It was an important lesson to the disciples concerning Jesus’ power. Counting women and children, the crowd probably exceeded 12,000. This event took place at Bethsaida, just north of the Sea of Galilee. It was an important lesson to the disciples concerning Jesus’ power. Counting women and children, the crowd probably exceeded 12,000. A premature attempt to make Jesus king blocked (Matt 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:14-15) A premature attempt to make Jesus king blocked (Matt 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:14-15) Once again, Jesus refused to accede to popular demand. He came indeed to establish a kingdom, but the people thus far had clearly not accepted its moral requirements. They simply wanted what Jesus’ power could provide. Once again, Jesus refused to accede to popular demand. He came indeed to establish a kingdom, but the people thus far had clearly not accepted its moral requirements. They simply wanted what Jesus’ power could provide. Walking on the water during a storm at sea (Matt 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21) Walking on the water during a storm at sea (Matt 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21) 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). During the intervening 9 to 12 hours, the disciples were battling the storm while Jesus was praying on the mountain. 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). During the intervening 9 to 12 hours, the disciples were battling the storm while Jesus was praying on the mountain. This experience was one more step in the disciples’ appreciation of Jesus’ character. This experience was one more step in the disciples’ appreciation of Jesus’ character.

Lesson 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 west side of the Sea of Galilee. Despite their leaders’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah, the people of Galilee were still more than willing to benefit from His power. Gennesaret was a fertile plain just south of Capernaum, on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Despite their leaders’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah, the people of Galilee were still more than 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 reason, and exhorts them to work for the food which endures to eternal life. He contrasts Himself as the bread of life with the bread given to the Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus rebukes the multitudes for seeking Him for the wrong reason, and exhorts them to work for the food which endures to eternal life. He contrasts Himself as the bread of life with the bread given to the Israelites in the wilderness. “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 back to Exodus 3:14 and the name of God heard by Moses from the burning bush. “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 back to Exodus 3:14 and the name of God heard by Moses 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 faith caused many to stop following. From this point forward in John’s gospel, the term “disciple” takes on the more restricted meaning of “genuine disciple.” Jesus’ strong emphasis on the need for an inner response of faith caused many to stop following. From this point forward in John’s gospel, the term “disciple” takes on the more restricted meaning of “genuine disciple.” Despite the public rejection by Christ, Peter and the disciples are coming to understand who He truly is. Despite the public rejection by Christ, Peter and the disciples are coming to understand who He truly is.

Next Week: Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Galilee – Part 2