BibleProject | Upside-Down Kingdom / Part 1 - LukeSýnishorn

After Jesus’ baptism, he goes into the wilderness for forty days with no food. Jesus is replaying Israel’s forty year journey through the wilderness, where they grumbled and rebelled against Yahweh. But where Israel failed, Jesus succeeds. When tested, Jesus refuses to use his divine identity to serve himself and instead identifies with humanity’s suffering. He trusts Yahweh through it all and proves to be the one who will reverse the failures of Israel and all humanity.

After this, Jesus returns to his hometown Nazareth. He visits the synagogue and is invited to read from the Hebrew Scriptures. He opens the scroll of Isaiah, reads, and sits down before adding, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The audience is amazed and can’t keep their eyes off of him. He is the one who Isaiah spoke of––the anointed one who brings the good news to the poor, heals the sick, and frees the outcasts of their shame. He is the one who will establish his upside-down Kingdom, to reverse what’s wrong and make the world right again.

Read, Reflect, and Respond:

• How have you been tempted to use your God-given identity and ability to serve or prove yourself? Consider how Jesus resisted Satan by relying on and reciting the words of God. What specific passages in the Bible can help you remember God’s truth when you are tempted? Write them out.
  
• Jesus fulfilled the scroll of Isaiah. Read Isaiah 61 with this in mind. What do you notice?
  
• Compare the crowd’s response to Jesus’ good news in verse 22 to their response in verse 29. What is your response to Jesus’ message today?
  
• Let your reading and reflection prompt a prayer. Thank Jesus for identifying with your pain and reversing your shame. Ask him for his help to overcome temptation this week.