The Great Experiences of Jesus' Life
1. The Jordan: The Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-11. Luke 3:21-22
The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience — the Fourth, Daniel 3:25. — three Hebrews, Daniel 3. — Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23. — George Mueller — Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c. — all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c. — Jesus’ suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke 2:51. Matthew 26:39. John 10:18. 14:31. Philippians 2:8. Romans 5:19. Hebrews 5:8. knowledge through experience — common experiences — mountain peaks — the tragic in each.
Our Brother: Jesus coming for baptism — John’s objection — why baptized — getting in touch — the point of contact — choosing for Himself the Father’s choice — the dangers — His strong purpose — the Father’s approval — three times the voice, here, transfiguration, Matthew 17:5. Mark 9:7. Luke 9:35. Greeks, John 12:28. the decisive start.
2. The Wilderness: Temptation. Matthew 4:1-11. Mark 1:12, 13. Luke 4:1-13
The University of Arabia: Jesus’ naturalness — the Spirit’s presence — intensity, Luke 2:45-51. — a true perspective — the temptation’s path — sin’s path — John’s grouping, 1 John 2:16. — the Spirit’s plan — why — the devil’s weakness — the Spirit’s leading — a wilderness for every God-used man, Moses, Elijah, Paul.
Earth’s Ugliest, Deepest Scar: Jesus the only one led up to be tempted — the wilderness — its history, Genesis 13:10-13. 18:16-19:38. — Jesus really tempted — no wrong here in inner response — every temptation — by the devil.
Waiting the Father’s Word: the tempter’s skill — acting divinely — a stone for hunger — not wrong in itself — recognizing temptation — “man” — waiting the Father’s word — the trained inner ear — not our power but God’s through our obedience.
Love never tests: a more agreeable setting — touching tender chords — the religious temptation — only through consent — bad scripture quoting, Psalm 91 — a helpful dust-cloth — using power only to help — a true quotation, Deuteronomy 6:16.
The Devil acknowledges the King: a dazzling scene — analyzing the tempter’s proposition — a common cunning trap — Jesus’ kingly conduct — the devil obeys Him — but to return — a coward — our safety in Jesus — lead us not into temptation.
3. The Transfiguration: An Emergency Measure. Matthew 16:28-17:1-8. Mark 9:1-8. Luke 9:27-36
God in Sore Straits: the darkest hour save one, fugitive, John 7:1. ban, John 9:22, 34. pushing, Matthew 15:1. Mark 7:1. — the danger zone, “withdrew,” Matthew 4:12. 12:15. 14:13. 15:21. Tabernacles, John 7:32. 8:59. — Galileans desert, John 6:60-66. — the inner circle infected, John 6:67-71. — God needs men.
Fire and anvil for Leaders: mental strength — seasoned leadership — Simon and Peter.
An Irresistible Plan: alone with the twelve — the changed plan, Matthew 16:18-21. — Peter’s stupid boldness, Matthew 16:22, with Mark 8:32. — the best available stuff — to see the Jesus within — getting Paul, Acts 9:1-9. 22:6-11. 26:12-18.
The Glory of that Light: while praying — changed from within — absorbed with Jesus’ master-stroke — the jarring human note — the glory obscured — through an opened door — the kingdom.
A Vision of Jesus: gleams of light — the purpose secured, John 20:19, 24, 26-29. — an indelible impress, John 1:14. 12:41. Mark 9:3 with 1 Peter 1:16-17. Acts 12:2. — changed while looking, Acts 22:11. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
4. Gethsemane: The Strange, Lone Struggle. Matthew 26:36-46. Mark 14:32-42. Luke 22:39-46. Hebrews 5:7
The Pathway in: messengers ahead — Jesus felt the cross drawing near — the look of His face, Luke 9:51-55. — His disciples afraid, Mark 10:32. — indignation against sin, John 11:33, 38. marginal reading American Revision. — the Greeks, John 12:20-28.
The Climax of Suffering: the darkest shadow — why the struggle is strange — shock of extremes — His purpose in yielding — separation from the Father — Matthew 27:46. Mark 15:34 margin. — the superlative degree of suffering.
Alone: a full evening, Matthew 26:17-19 with parallels. John, chapters 13 to 17. — for prayer — on knees and face — the changed prayer — ready for the worst.
5. Calvary: Victory. Matthew 26:47-27:61. Mark 14: 43-15:47. Luke 22:47-23:56. John 18:1-19:42
Yielding to Arrest: the betrayal — protecting the disciples — checking Peter’s violence — the arrest — the disciples forsake Him — except two, John 18:15, 16.
The Real Jewish Ruler: Annas the intriguer — an unrebuked insult — the case settled at once — before Caiaphas — difficulty in fixing a charge — the dramatic question and solemn answer — second condemnation — gross insults.
Held Steady by Great Love: Peter gains entrance through John, John 18:16. — the stammering denial — the bolder — with oaths and curses — Jesus’ look — Peter’s tears.
An Obstinate Roman: before the senate — trying to make a case — the formal condemnation — before Pilate — an unexpected set-back — alone with Pilate — acquitted — shrill protests — off to Herod.
A Savage Duel: before Herod — no word for him — more insults — a second acquittal — back to Pilate — his character — his summing up — their protests — his wife’s message — Barabbas or Jesus — Pilate weakening — the scourging and coarse mocking — Pilate’s surprise — a new charge — the governor startled — alone again with Pilate — the use of Caesar’s name — renunciation of national hopes — the defeated governor’s small revenge — the duel over.
Victory: out to Calvary — the pitying women — crucified — praying for the soldiers — pitching dice for His clothes — the inscription — coarse taunts and jests — winning a man at the very last — providing for His mother the darkness — the agonizing cry — the shout of victory.
6. The Resurrection: Gravity Upward. Matthew 28:1-15. Mark 16:1-8. Luke 24:1-49. John 20:1-21:25. 1 Corinthians 15:4-7
A New Morning: early visit to the tomb — Mary Magdalene’s alarmed call for Peter — the message of the angels — Peter and John come — another group of women get an angelic message.
Jesus seeking out Peter: Mary Magdalene meets Jesus — He meets other women — the soldiers’ story — alone with Peter.
Made Known in the Breaking of Bread: the Emmaus travellers — the Stranger’s explanation — the evening meal — the Master!
Even so Send I you: the meeting in Jerusalem — the Master’s unexpected presence — the sure proofs — breathing on them — Thomas’ stubborn doubts — a week later — a second great catch of fish — to James — to five hundred — on Olives’ top — the Bethany home not represented.
Gravity Upward: the resurrection not expected — fully assured — the new victory-day — Jesus was raised — He rose at will — His dying voluntary, so the rising — man’s true gravity — sin’s gravity — Jesus’ gravity upward.
The Life Side of Death: bodily changes in Jesus — personal identity unchanged — limitations gone — the Leader of a new sort of life.
7. The Ascension: Back Home Again Until
Tarry ye — Go ye: the Jerusalem meeting — the walk to Olives — not Palestine only, but a world — the last word — upward — seen no more.
Coming again: gazing upward, Acts 1:10, 11. — a continuation upward — the Olivet outlook.