This week moves from the wilderness to Galilee. After His baptism, Jesus spends forty days in the wilderness. The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4:1 says He went there “to be with God.” Then come Satan’s three temptations. Turn stones to bread. Leap from the pinnacle of the temple. Take the world’s kingdoms in exchange for worship. Twice the tempter starts with “If thou be the Son of God.” The Father has just declared Him His beloved Son. Jesus answers every time from Deuteronomy, in 8:3, 6:16 and 6:13. In Luke 4:13, the devil leaves Him only “for a season.”
Luke 4:16–30 is this lesson’s scripture scene. Back in Nazareth, “as his custom was,” Jesus goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath. He’s handed the scroll of Isaiah and reads what we know as Isaiah 61:1–2. Luke’s quote stops at “the acceptable year of the Lord.” Isaiah’s verse goes on to “the day of vengeance of our God.” Jesus sits down, the usual posture for teaching. He says, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” At first the townspeople wonder at His “gracious words.” Then they balk: “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He reminds them that Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon. Elisha healed Naaman the Syrian. Both were outsiders. So they try to throw Him off the brow of the hill.
Luke 5:1–11 is the lesson’s second passage. The lake of Gennesaret is another name for the Sea of Galilee. Fishermen are washing their nets after a night of catching nothing. Jesus teaches the crowd from Simon’s boat. Then He tells him, “Launch out into the deep.” Simon is the professional. He answers, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” The nets break, and both boats begin to sink. Peter falls at Jesus’s knees: “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” The Savior answers, “Fear not,” and calls him to catch men. The rest of Luke 5 has more. A leper is healed by touch. A paralyzed man is let down through a roof. Levi the publican leaves his tax table.
Twenty-five minutes is enough to walk through Luke 4 in four short readings. Use verses 16–19, 20–22, 23–27 and 28–30, then Luke 5:4–8. Bridge the gaps in a sentence, with one question at each stop. The temptations are ready as a bonus step. Isaiah’s list may describe people in your room right now. The brokenhearted, the captives and the bruised might mean grief, addiction, depression or betrayal. Speak of the Savior’s power to heal with hope. Never press anyone to say which phrase fits them.
