Jesus...Not Too Good for Anyone!

Luke 5:27-32 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. (28) And he left all, rose up, and followed him. (29) And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. (30) But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? (31) And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. (32) I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Jesus certainly did things in an unusual way didn’t he?  

If you wanted to start a new religion, who would you try and recruit for your core ambassadors?  What is the best kind of person that would continue your message into the future?  Would you choose the most educated, well spoken and influential citizens or the dredges of society?  I for one certainly wouldn’t trust people like Tax collectors or ordinary fisherman...and I would be wrong!

In our text this morning, we find that Jesus approaches a publican or tax collector named Levi.  Our distain for tax collectors today does not even begin to approach the hatred that they had for them in Jesus time.  The reason is that the Roman government recruited people from respective societies to collect taxes from their own people.  This made tax collectors traitors in the eyes of their peers.

Jesus had the audacity to not only approach Levi but actually asked Levi to follow him.  Jesus wanted a despised Tax Collector?  Yes he did.  In verse 29 we get a hint of why Jesus did this. 

Luke 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 

Levi was so appreciative of his being picked by Jesus that he threw a great feast and invited his friends.  Levi wanted to share his new find with his those that were important to him.  Are we like Levi?  Are we too thrilled that Jesus is willing to pick us that we are excited to share him with our friends?  If not why not?

When the religious leaders of the day saw that Jesus was ‘stooping into the gutter’ to eat and socialize with ‘such people’, they were outraged!  They thought that if Jesus was trying to promote himself as a leader that he should be trying to endear himself to them instead of tax collectors and such.  Jesus...why on earth would you want to eat and drink with SINNERS?

But Jesus’ response says it all!

Luke 5:31-32 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. (32) I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Because Jesus is a spiritual doctor and his mission is to heal those that are sick!  It is the tax collectors and sinners of the world that will sooner acknowledge their sin than those that perceive they have no problems, like the scribes and pharisees.

I for one am SO thankful that Jesus stoops down into the gutter to try and relate to the sinners of the world.  If he didn’t, I couldn’t have ever been saved.  I am SO thankful that Jesus was not too good for me!

What Was Jesus’ PURPOSE?

Luke 5:17-26 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. (18) And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. (19) And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. (20) And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (21) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? (22) But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? (23) Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? (24) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (25) And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. (26) And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. 

Jesus is truly an intriguing individual who is so hard to put in a “box”.  While some folks try to portray him to be ONLY this loving, forgiving, compassionate, mild-mannered, soft-spoken religious push-over, this passage some what breaks him out of that stereotype.

Jesus, of course is traveling around the region of Galilee and his popularity is spreading.  This is drawing large crowds as well as his critics.  People are flocking to hear what he will say, bringing him loved ones to be healed and his detractors are equally being drawn to the crowds to try and catch him in an error.

So if you are Jesus, and you KNOW that people want to find fault in you...to the point that they will murder you, do you antagonize them or do you try to choose your words carefully so as not to fan the flames?  In my mind you choose your words carefully so as to NOT antagonize. But Not Jesus!

In this snapshot of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus is preaching inside of a building and a group of friends are so determined to get their crippled friend to Jesus to be healed, that they hoist him upon the building where Jesus is so that they can lower him down in front of Jesus.

When Jesus sees this man, he breaks from his normal routine.  He deters from the expected....with full knowledge that he is going to rile up his critics.  Notice what he says to the sick man.

Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

This man is clearly sick.  He clearly is need of physical help.  He clearly has has come to Jesus to be healed of his infirmities, but Jesus decides to set that aside for a moment and tells him that his sins are forgiven.  Now notice the reaction of Jesus’ enemies.

Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Jesus has the ability to know what people are thinking.  in verse 22, along with many passages in the gospels, the scriptures plainly tell us Jesus knew their thoughts. He KNOWS why these men are were here and it wasn’t to be a follower.  So Jesus has clearly chosen to take this path to stir the pot and to make sure we know his real purpose in his ministry.  Here is the whole point!

Luke 5:23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? (24) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (25) And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. (26) And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Jesus’ Purpose in his life on earth was NOT to eliminate hospitals and illness.  Jesus’ purpose was to eliviate human suffering.  His ENIRE purpose was to forgive the sins of man and he had to PROVE beyond the shadow of any doubt that he had the POWER to do so.  Even if it upset people.  Even if it caused people to hate him.  Even it it would lead to his death.

To understand WHO Jesus is, we must understand his mission and purpose.  Jesus has set the standard.  Jesus has paid the price.  Now in order for us individually to be forgiven of our sins, we must be willing to accept his gift,  but that will require us to make a change in our lives.  We must be followers of Jesus which means that we must live according to HIS will, NOT ours.

They Forsook All and Followed Him!

Luke 5:1-11 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, (2) And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. (3) And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. (4) Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (5) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (6) And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (7) And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (9) For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: (10) And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (11) And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. 

This story has always interested me because of my passion for fishing.  I have gone out more times than I care to remember and spent hours to come up empty.  But I didn’t have Jesus to assist me!

Jesus had been in the immediate area because a crowd of people followed him to hear him preach.  In order to be in a vantage point so everyone could hear and see him, Jesus convinced Peter to launch his ship out a bit from shore so he can preach from the lake.

After the preaching was concluded, Jesus suggest that they go on back out and fish again.  The manner in which they fish is anything but recreational.  It is hard work and they had already been out all night, so Peter was less than thrilled at the thought of going back out.  But Peter had a reaction to Jesus that we all need to have.

Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

From a human perspective, there may be lots of reasons why the will of God may seem to be inconvenient.  From our logical perspective, some things he wants from us may not make any sense.  But this example demonstrates WHY we should suck it up and do what he says.  Peter was the expert here, but he did not know what he was talking about for 2 simple reasons.

1.  God ALWAYS has a better perspective than we do

2.  Go is in control of things that we cannot consider.

So even if something in God’s word seems strange, odd, or downright illogical, we need to follow the lead of Peter... “Nevertheless...I will DOT IT!”

When Peter and the others submitted to the will of Jesus, they were enormously rewarded.  They took in so many fishes that two boats were filled to the point that they began to sink.

Peter’s reaction is again is worth following.

Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  

Due to this unusual miracle, Peter realizes that he is in the presence of Greatness.  So much so that he quickly sees himself as undeserving due to his sin.  This encounter changes his life forever.  For the text says that when he gets to shore, they forsook all and followed Jesus!

When we see what Jesus can do to our lives, we again ought to follow the lead of Peter and follow Jesus!

The Behavior of Gratitude!

Luke 4:38-39 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. (39) And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. 

We have been taught from early on in our lives to say “Thank You” at at kind gesture.  If someone gives us a stick of gum, if some one offers us a compliment, a warm “Thank You” tells the giver that their act of kindness did not go unnoticed.  To fail to offer a word of appreciation is generally understood to be just plain rude.  Depending on the nature of the kind gesture, the lack of appreciation can be interpreted as arrogance or selfishness.   

As we got older, we also grew to understand that the larger the act of kindness the greater the expression of appreciation. For instance, If my car breaks down and I am stranded I might buy lunch for the friend who comes to help.  Sometimes the words “thank you” are just not big enough to fully convey the appreciation felt.

In our text today, Jesus has come to Simon Peter’s house because Peter’s mother-in-law is ill with a fever.  The text says that she has a “great” fever.  Although the text does not specifically say this, I would guess that they were afraid that she was going to die.  Jesus, being full of compassion that he was, comes and instantly ends the fever.

I want us to really focus on the woman’s response after she was healed.  The text says that: 

Luke 4:39 .... immediately she arose and ministered unto them. 

The word “ministered”, as used in the King’s James version, simply means to serve.  The NIV version used the phrase “waited on”.  She got up and served Jesus and those responsible for bringing him there.  She was so thankful, she was so grateful that she wanted to express it by serving them with what she could do.  Could she have really served them in any manner as to “repay” them for helping her?  Of course not!  Life is too precious to be able to “repay”!  But that is not why we DO things in return.  It is all about the expression of appreciation.

What would have been the alternative behavior?  She could have gotten up, thought “whew...I escaped that bullet” and served HERSELF!  What if she popped up and said “thank you” and THEN went about serving herself?  Better?  Not really!  The act of healing her was much too big for simple words.

For those of us that are Christians we have similarly escaped death by the hand of Jesus and healed from the disease of sin.  Furthermore, the price that he paid to offer us this renewed life was far too significant.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

So what is our subsequent behavior saying?  Have we been behaving like Peter’s mother-in-law by serving to express our gratitude?  Or have we gone about serving ourselves?

Let us contemplate the enormous gift that God has given to us by giving us new life and to a greater degree serve him to express our gratitude!

He Spoke with Authority!

Luke 4:31-32 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. (32) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power (authority). 

As Jesus travelled around Israel during his ministry, the one thing that he did consistently was to teach and/or preach.  We are told that his purpose in his existence was to SEEK and to SAVE the lost.  Salvation, from a spiritual stand point, is offered through knowledge so Jesus spread the message of salvation through his teaching.

But Jesus’ teaching is different, and it was recognizable by those that heard.  Jesus spoke with Authority.  This is not a description of his preaching style, but rather the foundation from which the truth comes.

When I preach each Sunday I stress to encourage every member to take their Bibles and turn with me to the passages that I use.  I want everyone to SEE the authority from which I speak.  I say “that if I am doing my mission correctly that I am ONLY reflecting what the Bible says.”  

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

A preacher should NEVER give his own opinions, ideas or philosophies as it pertains to ANY spiritual matters.  

But Jesus was different.  Jesus spoke with authority.  He was the source of the truth!  He was not just perpetuating the teachings of the Old Law....He was establishing a NEW Law!

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

So why is Jesus able to speak with authority?  Why is it that he was able to establish a new covenant?  Three Reasons:

1.  He is God!

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2.  He is the Son of God

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 

3.  He is the Founder Christianity

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

If Jesus is all of those things...and he is.  If Jesus is spoke with such authority, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should listen to him as an authority?  When I was growing up, I remember a series of E.F. Hutton commercials.  In them, two people would be talking in a public setting and one would say:  “My broker is E.F. Hutton and E.F. Hutton says.....”

And the entire room would stop what it was doing and listen intently for what was about to be said.

Jesus is far, FAR more significant that EF Hutton.  What Jesus talks about is enormously more important than stocks and bonds.  Therefore, shouldn’t we follow that lead of those in the commercial and listen to EVERY word that Jesus teaches and have the courage to apply it to our lives!

How to Beat Sin!

Luke 4:2-4 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (3) And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. (4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 

Very early on in Jesus’ ministry, he had a face-to-face encounter with Satan who tried to tempt, deceive and ultimately destroy Jesus.  We may look at this series of temptations and conclude that they were no big deal, but we should not be quick to dismiss them.  There are two very important principles that come into play.

1.  Jesus Was CAPABLE to Succumb to Temptation

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

For Jesus to be the PERFECT example, he had be fully human and endowed with the weaknesses that cause man to fall...and he was!  But not only that, something that is easily missed with this event of Jesus’ life is that the text says that he was tempted for 40 days.  How many times have we heard that person being interrogated for hours by police and finally make a confession because they are simply worn down?  Satan was in Jesus’ face for 40 days.  All the while Jesus was continually weakened due to the lack of food.

2.  Satan is Convincing

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

One of the best things that Satan has going for him is his ability to make evil appear righteous. Wrong to appear right.  Bad to appear good. After 40 days of temptations, we cannot underestimate how convincing Satan could be.

But even with that said, Jesus lived and died a SINLESS Life!  

So HOW did he do it?

If we could understand that, maybe we too could become more effective against the wiles of the Devil.

The first temptation that we have recorded played on the fact that Jesus had gone without food for a significant amount of time.  Satan encourages Jesus to turn the stones to bread.  But Jesus response is the KEY for us.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Most poisons known to man has a specific antidote. The specific antidote to temptation is the word of God!  When we know that something is sin, we can avoid it for the danger that it is.  Without that understanding, we are much more likely to fall for tactic of Satan that the evil activity is OK.

But one of the most important words in this verse is “EVERY”!  We must understand that we cannot choose to overlook some of God’s commands and conclude that as long as we do most, all will be fine.  It will not.  We must have an Active, Ongoing and Engrafting knowledge of God’s word and then we will be able to counteract the deceptions of the devil!

Let us all look at each situation given to us today through the eyes of God’s word and have the courage to do the will of God!

Excited about Jesus!

Luke 2:15-18 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

We continue for the third day talking about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.  Yesterday, shepherds in the fields, in the Israeli countryside are visited by angels to inform them of the coming of the Messiah and the Birth of Jesus.

Today in our text, the shepherds demonstrate for us an example that we all should follow.  They really encapsulate for us the epitome of what we should do as a Christians.  In a very condensed manner. let me give you the formula that they followed.

1.  They hear

2.  They Do

3.  They Spread

1.  They Hear:  The angels appeared to them for the sole purpose of passing o information that God wanted them to know.  They clearly, from their actions, took in what it is that they heard.  That seems painfully obvious but so often we hear information and dismiss it for a variety of reasons.  In fact, Jesus says that is one of the primary reasons why folks are not followers of his.  WE hear, but don’t HEAR!

Matthew 13:10, 13-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? .....(13) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 

2.  They Do:

Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

The shepherds, IMMEDIATELY after the angels left, knew they had to act upon the information they heard.  They did not wait to see what happened.  They did not wait for a convenient time.  They did not take a poll of others to see if it was worth while.  They simply had to go and see for themselves.  They ACTED!

3.  They Spread:  

Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Once they heard, they acted, and once they acted and were convinced of the information, they simply could not stop from sharing the good news.

This simple yet powerful formula is exactly what we are to do when we hear about the good news of Jesus.  Let us have the courage to truly hear what God has to say and not just hear the parts that feel comfortable.  Once we do, I hope that we have the courage to do what it is that is imparted in God’s word.  And once we personally act, we need to have a love and compassion for others that we tell them about what we have heard and done!