BIBLICAL MEANING OF 40
“It's just interesting to think about this concept of 40. I've kind of looked into what scholars have said about that. And there's some controversy and disagreement, but some have said that in Hebrew this represents a very long time and that we shouldn't just take it literally. But other people have said that it symbolically represents things like repentance, newness, preparation, self-examination, transformation, and in all of those stories I've just talked about, you see those things happening there.”
“So then you get to Jesus and you start thinking about 40 days and 40 nights, what is this really teaching me? And it's about this self-examination, transformation, task fulfillment, nourishment, growth, fulfillment and a new generation of a new life. Jesus is about to embark on a new life. He's going to come out in the public and He is going to be doing things He hasn't really been doing.”
Dr. Jan Martin, Follow Him Podcast
THE TEMPTATIONS
What do we learn about Satan from these temptations? (What is he trying to appeal to in Jesus?)
What does Jesus’ response teach us about what kind of Messiah he will be?
1. Turn stones into bread.“Manshallnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthat proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
2. Cast yourself off of the pinnacle of the temple. “Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.”
3. Promised Jesus the kingdoms of the world if he would worship him. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
“The significance of Jesus’ temptations, especially because they occurred at the outset of his public ministry, seems best understood in terms of the kind of Messiah he was to be. He would not accomplish his mission by using his supernatural powers for his own needs, by using his power to win a large following by miracles or magic, or by compromising with Satan in idolatrous worship.”
"Although Jesus was the Son of God, he defeated Satan by using a weapon that everyone has at their disposal: ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ (Eph 6:17) He met all three temptations with scriptural truth.”
NIV, Footnote Matthew 4:1-11, pg 1643
JESUS ANNOUNCES HIS MINISTRY
What does Jesus want us to know about his ministry? What does he mean by ‘the acceptable year of the Lord?’
They were amazed at His words that ‘this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’ They wondered at the gracious words he had spoken. Why?
Why does he teach about the miracles of the widow to Zarephath and Naaman? Why are the people in the synagogue angry after those sayings?
What other insights did you gain this time?
THE CHOSEN
“One of the notable achievements of The Chosen is that Jenkins’ theological positions are nearly impossible to discern from the show; what is evident is his profound and deep love for Our Lord and Sacred Scripture. His respect for the Biblical accounts of the life of Jesus is evidenced by the fact that he and the other creators of the show aim to accurately and faithfully depict the events of Jesus’ ministry, while taking sidebars in order to flesh out the figures of the apostles, or to illustrate a part of Jesus’ personality. The show also retains a sort of advisory board of ministers—a priest, a rabbi, and a Protestant minister—to help the creators with theological issues and other questions.
The show is, in my estimation, a triumph; even a stunning achievement. At this point, just two seasons in, I have never seen an on-screen depiction of Our Lord that did such an incredible job of balancing the human and the divine, Jesus’ self-knowledge and personal struggles. The show is, however, not completely flawless. It has its shortcomings. But that does not take away from what an incredible achievement it is. The creators clearly express what the show is —an artistic representation—and is not—the inspired Word of God. With that in mind, the viewer is free to let The Chosen bring them into a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a greater devotion to the apostles and others who walked with Jesus.”
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/10/05/dallas-jenkins-discusses-the-focus-and-purpose-of-the-chosen/
JESUS CALLS HIS DISCIPLES
“What did Jesus mean when he said follow me? Why would professional fishermen leave their lives to follow him? We have to understand the process of discipleship in New Testament times. Every father had a responsibility to make sure his child learned Torah. Education was not just for the rich, but it was for everyone because you couldn’t be a follower of God if you were ignorant of the scriptures and God’s commandments. At the age of five every child began to go to school and study with the rabbi. They all studied until about the age of 10. Those who didn’t have the ability to learn or really have an interest would go learn a trade. But those that did learn and want to learn continued on until about age 14 or 15. They would gain a solid spiritual education that would last them their lives. At the age of about 15 most of the students would learn a trade or profession, but those who really had a passion for learning would seek out a rabbi. The rabbi would test them to make sure they had the ability to learn because they would represent him. His reputation depended on them. So only the best were chosen. Once the rabbi decided which disciple he wanted he would say ‘come and follow me.’ It was a huge honor to be chosen. Men like Peter, James and John, and Andrew didn’t make the cut. They went and learned a trade. But you can imagine their feelings when Jesus not just a rabbi, but the Messiah said to them 'you have made the cut.’ The Lord has chosen you, too. If you are willing to follow me, you have made the cut!”
Rabbi Jason Sobel, The Chosen Unveiled
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