WEEK 4 | THE WHO
THE WHO
Mark 2:17 (ESV) — And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
WHO WAS JESUS SENT TO?
Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) — 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Why do you think Jesus chooses this passage out of Isaiah 61?
Isaiah is full of prophesies regarding the life, and death, of Christ, and yet He chooses to read this verse that is focused on his ministry to the world, why do you think this is significant?
In this verse, Jesus identifies three types of people to whom he is sent with a specific message to proclaim. Let’s spend some time looking at each one.
POOR
Jesus starts this message by stating that he has come for the poor. This poverty reaches beyond anything physical, although it does not neglect that altogether; this spiritual poverty is shown in those who have nothing, or those who have lost everything. Because of that, the poor often feel tired, exhausted and depressed.
Who in the synagogue do you think was most interested in Jesus’ inclusion of the poor in His message?
Have there been times in your life when you would consider yourself poor? What did those situations look like?
When you have felt poor, what was the message of Good News for you? If you are poor now, what do you think the Good News is?
Spend some time journaling about some people in your life that you would consider to be poor. What are the circumstances that led them to where they are? How do you think Jesus would address their need?
CAPTIVE
Jesus specifically points out that His message is meant for people who are captives. These captives are simply those that are trapped. This can be in many forms, whether it’s enslavement to idolatry, blinded by darkness or trapped by the demands of a
specific lifestyle. Captivity is also something that can be difficult for people to recognize. Regardless of the specific situation, Christ specifically pinpoints the captive as one of the people for whom his message is meant.
John 8:31–38 (ESV) — 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
In this verse, Jesus addressed a group of believing Jews who didn’t think they were enslaved. How is ignorance of our slavery a great stumbling block to the Gospel?
Who in the synagogue do you think was most interested in Jesus’ inclusion of the captives in His message?
Are there some things in your life now, or in your past, which have held you captive? How have those things kept you from life in Christ?
Under the category of captives, Jesus includes both the oppressed and the blind. How do you think being blind and oppressed relates to the idea of being a captive?
Think about people in your life that you would consider “captives.” What holds them captive? How do you think they got there? What do you think Jesus would say to them regarding their captivity?
REJECTED
In declaring that he would usher in the year of the Lord’s favor, Jesus implies that there are those who need the favor of the Lord, or the “unfavored.” We will refer to them as the rejected. Those that are rejected often live with a fear of judgment, with guilt and despair. Because of this, they often feel hopeless and alone.
Who in the synagogue do you think was most interested in Jesus’ declaration of the year of the Lord’s favor?
Is there a time in your life when you have felt rejected, needing the Lord’s favor? What are the things that led you to feel that way?
Think of those in your life who you would consider needing a message of the Lord’s favor. What are the circumstances surrounding their feelings of rejection? How do you think Jesus would bring hope to their situation?
THE EXCUSE : LACK OF OPPORTUNITY
One of the biggest hurdles to living on mission and making disciples is feeling like there is a lack of opportunity. We say things like:
“I don’t see a need”
“All my friends are believers”
“I don’t know what they believe.”
“People are closed off and don’t share what they believe with me.”
“They are so far from God.”
Oftentimes we avoid the opportunity to see where the gospel fits into the lives of others by believing that we don’t have the opportunity. Sometimes this is because we insulate ourselves with Christian friends, or we just ignore the people God has put around us. Other times, it is just because we are unaware of many layers of need in the lives of those who are around us.
Jesus was very clear and direct in the way he interacted with the poor, captive, and rejected people who needed to hear the message of the gospel. Instead of spending his time with religious leaders, he spent his time and ministry focused on dwelling with the hurting people around him.
Do you feel as though you rarely have the opportunity to speak life to those around you? Why do you think that is?
In what ways have you closed yourself off from the opportunity to be present in the lives of others?
Do you have a hard time pinpointing people in your life who need to hear the message of the gospel? How do you think you could change that?
THE TRUTH : PEOPLE ARE ALL AROUND US
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) — 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you till the end of the age.”
The Greek verb used in v. 19 for “go” is not in the imperative or command form of the word.
The emphasis of this passage in Matthew is not on the “GO therefore” because the verb tense used for go is a passive tense, better translated as “As you are going.” The thrust and force of this passage is on the imperative verb “MAKE disciples.” Jesus is saying, “As you are going, MAKE DISCIPLES of all people.”
This means that as we go, Jesus asks us to open our eyes to the lives of the people around us and pray that the Holy Spirit would help us discern what each person needs at that time, teaching them and helping them as they grow in faith.
Instead of adding the task of sharing the Gospel to our busy schedules, this tells us that “as we go,” we should be communicating the gospel every day, in every relationship, and in every interaction we have with people. This call includes the entirety of our lives, words and actions.
Have you ever been afraid that Jesus’ call to go and make disciples would mean that you would have to go somewhere far away, or do something you didn’t want to do? How does the idea of making disciples “as you are going” change that perception?
Think about your own life and routine. What would it look like if you made disciples as you went into these situations each day? How would you approach, interact and talk to people?
Spend some time journaling about where God has specifically given you the opportunity to be present in your life. Have you ever seen these as places that God has sent you? How would you act differently, if you did?
READ MARK 5:1-20
In this story, Jesus does the very literal work of freeing this man from bondage, both to the demon and shackles. At the end of the story, however, Jesus’ commands to the man are rather peculiar. He wants nothing more than to go with Jesus and be a part of his ministry but Jesus’ response is surprising, telling him to go back to his own town and family, proclaiming the mercy that the Lord showed him. Why do you think Jesus turned the man away, sending him back to his family?
Do you think there is more he could have learned from being with Christ?
In what way was this man sent? Who was he sent to, and why do you think Jesus did that?
How does this story challenge your perception of what obedience to God’s mission looks like? How does it affirm the idea that we are called to make disciples as we go?
THE CHALLENGE : ENGAGE PEOPLE LIKE JESUS DID
If Jesus went to the poor, captive and rejected, how do we do that in our everyday lives? The key lies in being willing to lay aside our own preferences, comfort, and schedules for the sake of others. Jesus often did this by simply sharing a meal with those that needed the message of the Gospel.
BEGIN WITH SHARING A MEAL
Mark 2:16–17 (ESV) —16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that
he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he
eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luke 15:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
How did Jesus create opportunities to be in the lives of people who needed to hear the gospel? What does this tell you about his priorities?
What did Jesus communicate to the poor, captive and rejected by simply spending time around the table with them?
How did the Pharisees respond to Jesus’ unconventional way of conducting his ministry? What does that tell you about their priorities or expectations?
Have you ever found yourself preferring to be comfortable rather than spending time with those who need the message of the gospel?
How do you think your Christian friends would respond if you were to spend the majority of your time with those outside of the church? Has this discouraged you or made you afraid of reaching out?
If it’s true that hurting people are all around us, who do you think Jesus would prefer you to spend your time with? What insight does his mission give you in that regard?
THE ASSIGNMENT
Inherent in the call to go is the call to be with people. This week, the assignment focuses on you spending time with someone, getting to know them, and praying that God would help you to see what He is doing in their lives.
At least one time this week, ask someone who you’ve been praying for to go out to grab a coffee or a meal. As you sit together and talk, ask them about their family, their background and their lives. Focus your attention on asking questions and really listening to what they have to say.
After you get home, spend some time writing in your journal about your experience. How has your view of them changed? Did God give you any insight during your conversation that would help them in their situation? How do you think the gospel fits into their story? In what ways are they poor, captive or rejected? How can the story of God’s mercy in your own life bring light into their lives?