Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

372 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

II. Jesus authenticated his ministry by his actions toward the poor. A. John’s query regarding Jesus’s authenticity, Luke 7:18-23 Luke 7:18-23 (ESV) – The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, [19] calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” [20] And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” [21] In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. [22] And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE THEIR SIGHT, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE GOOD NEWS PREACHED TO THEM. [23] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” B. Will the real Messiah please stand up? 1. The question of John, 19-20 2. The actions of Jesus, 21 (the show-side of “show-and-tell”) 3. The explanation of his identity, 22-23 a. Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. b. Blind seeing, lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing, dead being raised, the poor hearing the Gospel C. Ministry to the poor is undeniable proof of the Messiah’s identity. III. Jesus verified salvation in relation to one’s treatment of the poor. A. The story of Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-9 Luke 19:1-9 (ESV) – He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. [4] So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” [6] So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He