1. Lesson 3 for April 18, 2015

2. “He said to them, ‘You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’’” (Luke 4:23) Jesus was just the son of Joseph for the people in Nazareth (Lk. 4:22) Jesus introduced Himself as the Messiah in prophecy (Lk. 4:18-21). He also called Himself “prophet” (Lk. 4:23) and He reprimanded them for not believing (Lk. 4:24-27). They didn’t want to believe Him. They even tried to kill his Savior in that moment (Lk. 4:29). Accepting that Jesus was more than the son of Joseph is a matter of life and death.

3. “Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” (Luke 7:18-19) Jesus brought a boy back to life, and the people called Him prophet. Nevertheless, John was still in prison and He didn’t do anything to free him. John was struggling to believe. “The Saviour’s words, ‘Blessed is he, whosoever shall find none occasion of stumbling in Me,’ were a gentle reproof to John. It was not lost upon him. Understanding more clearly now the nature of Christ’s mission, he yielded himself to God for life or for death, as should best serve the interests of the cause he loved.” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 22, pg. 218)

4. “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” (Luke 1:35) Only Adam is called “son of God” apart from Jesus. Luke said he was son of God because he was born from no woman (Luke 3:38). When that expression is used for human beings, the Bible uses its plural form, “sons of God.” That title is similar to others like Christ, Messiah, Redeemer, King of Israel… (John 1:49; 11:27). Jesus is the Son of God; He is part of the Deity. He is “God over all.” (Romans 9:5 NIV). The expression “Son of God” (in its singular form) can be found 46 times in the Bible. All but one refer to Jesus.

5. “Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose— the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 1, pg. 34)

6. According to Luke, what’s the purpose of Jesus being the “Son of Man”? He is a man who live humbly, having nowhere to lay His head (Luke 7:34; 9:58). He is the only man with divine prerogatives. He is the Lord of Sabbath and He can forgive sins (Luke 6:5; 5:24). He came to redeem us from sin. He came to seek and save which was lost (Luke 9:56;19:10). He understood that Redemption would cost suffering and death at the cross. He would then be our Mediator before the Father (Luke 18:31-32; 22:22; 12:9). He will come back to Earth to reward the saints and to end the Great Controversy (Luke 9:26; 12:4; 17:24-30; 21:36; 22:69).

7. “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said, ‘The Christ of God.’” (Luke 9:20) It doesn’t matter what others think about Jesus. The most important thing is what I think of Him. Who is Jesus to me? If I accept Him as Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God, the Son of Man, my Redeemer, then a total surrender will follow. I will fully commit to my Savior. The King of Kings is coming soon. He is longing to give His Kingdom to those who have accepted Him as the Christ, the Lord of their lives.

8. “For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:17-18) According to Luke 9:28, Jesus went to the mount to pray. Peter, James and John came with Him. Then, Moses and Elijah came and talked to Jesus about His last trip to Jerusalem. In that moment, the voice of the Father confirmed Jesus’ mission and identity. Darkness came after that, but the light that came from God’s message remained in their minds. Peter wrote about that experience many years later. He knew whom he had believed. No tales or myths. He had seen it with his own eyes and he wanted us to believe it too (2 Peter 1:16-18).

9. “It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. “He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” “Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 3:24; 1 John 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.” E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 24, pg. 312)