Everything in Christianity involves Jesus. Everything in Jesus involves the written “word of God.” Jesus’ written “word of God” is called the TaNaKh (acronym).
- Ta Torah Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
- Na Nevi’im Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Twelve “minor” prophets
- Kh Ketuvim Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes,
Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Chronicles
In keeping with the Jewish education system, Jesus, from five years of age to ten years of age memorized the Torah and starting at ten years of age He memorized the rest of the TaNakh.
At thirty years of age, when Jesus started His public ministry, He already had twelve years with the complete TaNakh (Old Testament) memorized. Knowing of Jesus’ total immersion in the Old Testament one can begin to see the strong TaNakh undertones in the Sermon on the Mount.
In our previous lesson we learned that everything in the Christian life progresses from being poor in spirit and to being poor in spirit. Matthew 5:2
Jesus places this pearl (being poor in spirit) into the golden setting of Isaiah.
In Luke 4:18 Jesus reveals that Isaiah prophetically announced His mission. Isaiah 61:1
- Poor Spiritually bankrupt, paupers, beggars, inadequate
- Brokenhearted Over spiritual bankruptcy, contrite, bowed down over sin
- Captives In slavery to the taskmaster of spiritual bankruptcy
- Bound In chains of bondage
Matthew 5 Isaiah 61
4:23 preach Gospel 1 anointed (Messiah)
preach, Gospel
3 poor in spirit 1 Good tidings to the
poor
4 mourn 2 Comfort all who mourn
5 meek 2 Preach to poor, 7 in
your land inherit
6 hunger and thirst 6 Eat the wealth of
nations
8 pure in heart 2 Broken hearted
10 persecuted Ch 61 Zion’s persecution is
ended
11, 12 Revile you, rejoice 10 Let my soul be glad in the Lord
In the Beatitudes Jesus announces that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Listen – My Story
- Last week you named one of the Beatitudes in which you wanted to grow this week. How did your growth plan go?
- The Greek root word for poor in “Poor in spirit” means to stoop over like a beggar. Have you ever been faced with a situation where you were totally without and had to trust others to provide for you?
- What attitude do you have toward people you see begging?
Lift – Prayer
- Please share your hopes, fears, and plans for your participation in our Twenty-One Days of Fasting and Prayer and then pray for each other.
- Please praise God for our Sunday Night Children’s Ministry. Evangelism is our goal and a neighborhood child attended for the first time and said, “This was the best night ever!” Glory to God.
- The weekend message featured Jesus’ four words, poor, brokenhearted, captive, and bound. Is anyone in your life group feeling these in their life today? Pray with each other.
- Please pray for the Worship Workshop and the Couples Night Out.
Learn – Digging Deeper
- Jesus had the entire TaNakh memorized. Should I prioritize scripture memory too? Joshua 1:8, Psalm 37:31, Colossians 3:16
- According to Proverbs 6:21-22, what are three benefits of scripture memory?
- The Old Testament was super important in Jesus life. How can I increase the role the Old Testament has in my life today? 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, Psalm 1:1-3
- Is it possible that scripture memory work could improve your memory? In what way is the Bible alive? Hebrews 4:12
Life – Taking it Home
- In response to this teaching, what action steps do you need to take this week?
- Will you commit to memorizing Jesus’ Beatitudes? Matthew 5:2-12