Need an audience with God? (Luke 5:33-35)

Luke 5:33-35 ³³ And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink." ³⁴ And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵ The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days."

Jesus predicts his death, "the bridegroom will be taken away." And then Jesus tells us that it will be time to fast.  Yet, I don't know a lot of people who fast. 

Fasting in the Bible is interesting.  

• Moses fasted during the time God was giving him the commandments.
• People fasted when they wanted to repent - like King David after he fathered a child with his friend's wife and God told him the child was going to die. 
• People fasted on behalf of others who needed to repent - like the prophets Nehemiah or Daniel or Ezra who asked God to forgive the sins of the people who had turned against God. 
• People fasted when they had a request to ask of God - like Hannah when she wanted a child or like Mordecia when he wanted protection for the people of God or King Darius in order to ask God to protect Daniel from the den of lions.
• People fasted to greive the death of those they loved.
• People fasted to seek God concerning certain matters before them
• Anna fasted in order to live a life of service to God. 
• Paul fasted after he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus. 
• Cornelius, a pagan, fasted because he didn't know who God was and asked God to reveal himself to him so he could worship him. 
• The leaders of the early church fasted when they sought God's will... or when they commissioned someone into God's service. 
• Paul wrote about married couples fasting together. 
• Jesus told the disciples to fast to cast out certain demons.
• Jesus fasted when he was faced with trials

People fasted as a group and as individuals.  Some gave up all food and water, others just food, others just particular foods.  Some fasted for a meal and some for a long time.  The point of fasting was not to perfect a ritual, but to set aside a time to come close to God and seek God's will or comfort - listening and talking to God.

Yet, there is a wrong way to fast too.  Isaiah 58 describes fasting for the purpose of selfish gain.  God tells those who fast for this reason to go loose the bonds of injustice, let the oppressed go free, share their bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless into their own homes - and then he will hear them in their fast.  Matthew 6 says not to fast for show.  Zechariah 7:5 asks if the people are fasting for God or for themselves.  Fasting is about seeking God not seeking gain.

Our world is so busy... how on earth can we find time to fast?  Fasting isn't just missing some meal - it is always coupled with prayer.  And that takes time.  How do we find time to seek God's will?  Most of us want a text message from God instead of putting any effort into our relationship with him.  And with this being our attitude, no wonder most of us don't know what God's vision is for us - even for our very next steps.  We ramble around hoping God will stop us if it is the wrong direction - we throw up a prayer barely thought out.  Yet, God wants us to intentionally enter into a conversation with him so God can give us his vision and the power to follow that vision.

Could it be time to fast? 

Here is a good practical guide to fasting:  http://www.ccci.org/training-and-growth/devotional-life/personal-guide-to-fasting/index.htm

New Wineskins (Luke 5:33-39)

A pastor friend of mine had been a pastor for a while at a small church that was going no where.  In fact, it had been going no where for longer than he had been the pastor there.  Oh they met on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, but he knew something was missing.  The church was really just a clubhouse for long time members, their grown children, and a few grandkids.  And despite a nice neighborhood growing up around the church over the years and a trickle of visitors, no one ever joined - or if they did, they didn't stay for very long.  And even though they tried hard to hide it and act gracious and dignified, there was always a mess going on somewhere in the church - affairs, substance abuse, child abuse, sometimes even worse stuff - if you can imagine worse stuff.  So he decided to take some classes for pastors about building the foundation for a healthy church.  After taking these classes, he begin to really preach clearly the way of Jesus for the first time.

He told them that Jesus taught us to demonstrate his love to those we wouldn't normally associate with, to serve those with our resources who didn't deserve it, to welcome outsiders into the church and treat them better than we treat ourselves, and to take care of one another by being in a deep committed relationship with one another speaking truth in love to each other.  To live holy lives walking with God and forsaking acts in our personal and business lives that hurt ourselves and others.  He begin to suggest practical ways to accomplish these things.  Their response was "We have been doing things this way for a hundred years. We like it this way." In other words, they thought their old wine tasted good and they wanted to keep drinking it. They weren't concerned that their church was just for themselves.

But Jesus comes with new wine ("This is my blood - the wine of the new covenant poured out for you") and he isn't going to put it in old wine skins. He wants to transform us completely so we can do the things he has called us to do: serve outsiders treating them better than ourselves, love each other more than we love ourselves, practice forgiveness, mercy, and grace.


Luke 5:33-39 ³³ And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink." ³⁴ And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵ The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days." ³⁶ He told them a parable also: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old garment; if he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. ³⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. ³⁸ But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. ³⁹ And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good.'"

There is a famous quote, "What is wrong with most churches today is that the members haven't yet decided to follow Jesus."  I think this is true - many of us haven't given Jesus permission to transform us - we aren't sure we will like the new wine.  We have joined a club that supports our lifestyle and makes us feel good about ourselves - we drink old wine.  But Jesus wants to change our entire way of living and being.  Let him!  Drink the new wine.

God desires mercy from us - not sacrifice (Matt 9:9-13)

Matthew 9:9-13 ⁹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. ¹⁰ And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" ¹² But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Jesus is quoting the prophet Hosea:  "For God desires steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6).   The people of Hosea's time were much like the Pharisees of Jesus' time.  In fact, they are like many religious people (including Christians) today.  They were great at all the religious stuff - doing the temple ritual complete with sacrifices and offerings, keeping a long list of rules, etc.  They thought they were tough stuff religiously - they thought that they had found a way to force God to bless them.  Wrong!  Their sacrifices, offerings, and rule keeping got them no where with God.  Nor do ours today.

Instead Jesus wants us to offer hesed to one another just like God has offered it to us.  The New Testament translates the word as mercy, kindness, compassion, even grace.  The Old Testament associates the word with God's covenant to us where God offered us mercy, kindness, compassion, grace even though we can't do anything to merit it.  God wants our response to his hesed to be an offering of hesed to others.

In other words, Jesus is telling the Pharisees that God wants them to offer mercy, kindness, compassion, and grace to the tax collector and other sinners.  Tax collectors were the most detested people in Jerusalem.  They took their fellow Jew's money and gave it to the Roman occupiers of Jerusalem while pocketing a good chunk for themselves.  They hurt their fellow Jews and strengthened the oppressors for their own gain.  They offered no mercy to their own people in order that they might get wealthy.  But Jesus says to offer even them hesed.

This is what God wants from us... to offer everyone hesed - mercy, kindness, compassion, and grace.  Even those who are wrong, even those who hurt us, even those who haven't asked and don't want forgiveness.  This is the way of Jesus.  Of course, Jesus demonstrated this teaching throughout his life and on the cross.  Demonstrate hesed today!

*****

Luke 5:27-32 ²⁷ After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." ²⁸ And he left everything, and rose and followed him. ²⁹ And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. ³⁰ And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" ³¹ And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Mark 2:14-17 ¹⁴ And as he passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. ¹⁵ And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Not just a nice guy (Mark 2:1-12)

I hear the comment a lot that goes something like, "I like Jesus' teachings, but I don't believe that he was anything more than a good teacher."  But I have a hard time with that comment.  If someone comes to me and claims to be God - but I don't believe they are God, then I am not prone to agree with - or even listen to their teachings.  Rather, I would be forced to think they were mentally ill and somewhat unstable.  To me, accepting the teachings of someone who is crazy is kin to drinking the koolaid offered to me by a crazy person.  I think that to truly accept Jesus' teachings, you have to accept him too.

Jesus says in these verses that he has the authority to forgive sins.  The Jews he is speaking to know that only God can do that.  No human can. 

I love Jesus' teachings, but I also love him and I believe he was who he claimed to be.  I believe he has the authority to not only forgive my sins, but to transform me into someone who is whole - just like he transforms this paraplegic.  

Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. ³ Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷ "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" ⁸ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? ¹⁰ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he said to the paralytic-- ¹¹ "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." ¹² And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

**** Below is the story from Luke's perspective:

Luke 5:17-26 ¹⁷ One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. ¹⁸ Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; ¹⁹ but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. ²⁰ When he saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." ²¹ Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" ²² When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? ²⁴ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he said to the one who was paralyzed-- "I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home." ²⁵ Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. ²⁶ Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

Letting Jesus down. (Luke 5:14-16)

This is the weirdest thing.  Jesus heals a man and then warns the man not to tell anyone! 

Mark 1:43-45 43 After sternly warning the man whom he had healed, Jesus sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 45 But the man went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.


Jesus knows the man isn't going to keep the secret.  And by not keeping the secret, Jesus' life is going to become a lot harder.  He won't be able to go into town openly - he will have to stay in places where crowds can gather - he will have to struggle to find time and quiet places to get alone to pray.   The man's loose tongue changes Jesus' whole ministry plan. 

Yet, Jesus heals him anyway!  He didn't have to.  He chose to.

You know... I find this true in my own life.  Jesus transforms me - my thoughts, my desires, my actions - even my physical body.  He does it even though he knows that I am still going to fall back into my old ways of living and let him down.  Yet, he does it anyway!!!  He heaps grace and mercy upon me filling me up again after I fail!!  And it just makes me want to serve him all the more... giving up my thoughts, desires, and actions - letting him turn them into his mature and faithful child! 

Let God heap his grace and mercy on you this day!  He knows you will mess up again sometime.  We all do.  But just keep accepting it and letting it transform you more deeply!

**** Other gospel accounts of this story...


Luke 5:14-16 ¹⁴ And Jesus ordered the man with leprosy whom he had healed to tell no one. "Go," he said, "and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them." ¹⁵ But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. ¹⁶ But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

Matthew 8:4 ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Jesus chooses (Luke 5:12-13)

Luke 5:12-16 ¹² Once, when Jesus was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." ¹³ Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. 

The man who approaches Jesus looks horrific - he is covered with leprosy.  The man is considered unclean by Jewish law.  He is not supposed to get close to anyone.  This is how they kept diseases at bay. 

But imagine what life would be like if your family put you out of the house - if the town made you live outside the city limits - if no one ever got close enough to even hug you? 

The man breaks the law by coming to Jesus.  Jesus breaks the law by touching him. 

Who do you need to touch today?  Who might not have been touched in a long long time?  Reach out like Jesus did!

*****

Perspectives of the other gospels:

Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; ² and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." ³ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Mark 1:40-45 ⁴⁰ A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." ⁴¹ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Get alone and pray (Mark 1:35-38)

After a marathon day of healing and casting out demons...

Mark 1:35-38 ³⁵ In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. ³⁶ And Simon and his companions hunted for him. ³⁷ When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." ³⁸ He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." ³⁹ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
 
Luke 4:42 - 5:1 ⁴² At daybreak Jesus departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. ⁴³ But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." ⁴⁴ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus had a discipline of getting up early - getting alone - and praying.  What do you supposed the trinity talked about?  Do you think this time is where Jesus got focused on the things of God?  Is it how he kept himself from being persuaded by well meaning people to stay in one town when it was time to move on to the neighboring towns?  How will you get focused on the things of God today so that you won't be distracted by other's goals and aspirations?  What conversation will you have with the trinity today?

Bring them to Jesus (Mark 1:32-24)

Jesus has had a big day. He went to the synagogue in the morning where he was confronted by a demoniac from whom he cast out the demon.  Then for lunch, he headed over to Peter's, but found Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed. So Jesus heals her and she apparently finishes fixing lunch.

Now it is sundown...

Mark 1:32-34 ³² That evening, at sundown, they brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³ And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus doesn't walk through a town going door to door healing people.  He heals those who come to him - those who are brought to him.  So if you were in denial - or if your family or friends were in denial that you were sick - spiritual or physically - then you probably stayed home and missed getting healed that day. 

There is something to admitting we need help - both to ourselves and others!

There is something to having friends who will tell us when we need help!

There is something to having friends who will take us to get help!

I have seen spouses ignore that their other half needs help.  Instead they overlook the disease (bad behavior, addictions, even physical illness) and enable it - letting it affect children and others in their wake.  I have seen churches ignore that there are congregants - even leaders - desperately needing help.  Instead they overlook the problem letting it affect the kingdom of God - hurting the community that needs to see the hands and feet of Jesus through that church. 

Why do we do this?  Often to be kind or nice.  But really we are only enabling the situation to spiral downward.  It takes a lot of courage to say, "I need help" and a whole lot more to lovingly and kindly say "You need help too."  It is often met with rejection.  But do it anyway - if you can do it from a heart of love.

"They brought to Jesus" those who needed help.  You know, you don't have to be perfect to bring someone to Jesus for help.  It isn't as if you are better than them - it isn't as if you have it all figured out.  You are probably going to be leaning on each other the whole way there.  But this is how God made us - to help each other find the source of healing and wholeness. 

Who needs you to be bold enough to bring them to Jesus today?

*****
This story through the eyes of the other writers of the gospel...

Matthew 8:16-17 ¹⁶ That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."

Luke 4:40-41 ⁴⁰ As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. ⁴¹ Demons also came out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

Peter's Mother-in-law healed (Mark 1:29-31)

Mark 1:29-31 ²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

I wonder what it felt like for Jesus to take you by the hand - to feel his healing power move through your body transforming you into health?  What an experience.  Perhaps you don't have to imagine so much, but can remember a time when Jesus transformed something in your life either physically or spiritually.  What I love about this story is that as soon as she is healed, she serves them.  So this is what you do after Jesus transforms you!  :-)

Follow her example and look for opportunities to serve others today!

***** Other gospel accounts of this story:

Matthew 8:14-15 ¹⁴ When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; ¹⁵ he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him.

Luke 4:38-39 ³⁸ After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. ³⁹ Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28)

Mark 1:21-28 ²¹ They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. ²² They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³ Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴ and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." ²⁸ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

The Jews in the synagogue were a lot like us.  They didn't go to church on Sunday (or synagogue on Saturday) expecting to witness someone being freed of an unclean spirit.  Jesus is not only recognized by these unclean spirits, he can send them away too.  This power brings him notoriety even beyond his authoritative teaching.

The spirits of darkness are over powered by Jesus.  If you think about your life, you may see glimpses of this darkness from time to time.  Since the Holy Spirit lives within believers, unclean spirits don't.  But they can become enmeshed in our lives.  We really do have spiritual battles that go beyond what we can see in this world.  We probably feel pretty silly believing it, but the Bible is full of such references.  Trust Jesus to have authority over whatever darkness you face - even the kind that can't be weighed and measured that isn't part of the visible world- trust Jesus to send the uncleanness away.

****
The story as told by Luke:

Luke 4:33-37 ³³ In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ "Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." ³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. ³⁶ They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, "What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!" ³⁷ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

They Hate Jesus (Luke 4:22b-30)

Jesus is in his hometown.  On the Sabbath, he visits his synagogue and claims to be the Messiah.  The people from his hometown have heard about his miracles and popularity.  At first they are excited about Jesus, but that lasts just a few moments.  Then...

Luke 4:23-30  Is not this Joseph's son?  ²³ Jesus said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" ²⁴ And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. ²⁵ But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; ²⁶ yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. ²⁷ There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." ²⁸ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Suddenly Jesus is no longer popular.  First he predicts that they are going to reject him.  Then he compares them to their ancestors who rejected the prophets and brought upon Jerusalem its current state of Roman occupation.   Oh boy!  Watch out now!  Now he has made them mad!

Jesus isn't going to do them special favors because they are family.  He has a mission from his heavenly Father that is more important than whatever favors his hometown people are demanding.  He has claimed to be more than they can ever attain.  They are jealous and angry.

So they try to kill the hometown boy by throwing him off the cliff. 

His own hometown tried to kill him!   The people he grew up with - his teachers - his priest - his friends.  They want him dead!!!   If you have ever experienced rejection - the loss of a job, the rejection of a loved one, the rejection of your family - Jesus has experienced it along with you.

Jesus spoke truth instead of letting them feel good about a hometown boy's accomplishments.  He didn't manipulate them with sweet talk or avoidance of the truth.  He spoke truth and they tried to kill him.

Do you want to follow this Jesus who doesn't sugar coat?  Who is willing to be unpopular?  Who is willing to be rejected?  This Jesus may just get you thrown off the cliff too.  Or did you have something else in mind when you begin following Jesus? 

Is there somewhere in your life where speaking the truth is the right thing to do even if you are rejected?

**** Other accounts of this story in the gospels:

Matthew 13:55-58 ⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." ⁵⁸ And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

Mark 6:3-6 ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. ⁴ Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." ⁵ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶ And he was amazed at their unbelief.

John 6:41-42 ⁴¹ Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." ⁴² They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"

They Love Jesus (Luke 22a)

Jesus is in his own hometown - in his family's synagogue.  He has just finished claiming to be the Messiah... the one who has come to release the captives, heal the blind, and free the oppressed. He has ushered in the forever year of Jubilee when debts and trespasses are forgiven. And for a short moment...

 ²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

The hometown boy is back!  And they love him!  They have heard about his miracles.  He has rock star status!  And he thrills them with his gracious words.  If one of their hometown boys is great, then they must be great too.  Enjoy their enthusiasm while it lasts... because it won't last for long.  They are claiming to be on Jesus' side, but they haven't heard what he will say next.

So many of us are like this!  We haven't heard all that Jesus has to say before we offer our support.  We see part of Jesus - the part that supports us and our way of life.  The part that offers a ticket to heaven.  We see what makes us feel good - validates us.  But then when we hear all of Jesus' words... we change our tune.  Give away our belongings?  Forgive our enemies?  Love those who hurt us?  Seriously?  We can't believe this could be true so we recreate him in our own image instead of letting him transform us. 

Enjoy the few short seconds of hometown support for Jesus... because that is all there is going to be...

***** 

Other gospels report Jesus' short lived hometown popularity too:

Matthew 13:54 ⁵⁴ He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?

Mark 6:1-2 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!

John 7:14-16 ¹⁴ About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. ¹⁵ The Jews were astonished at it, saying, "How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?" ¹⁶ Then Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine but his who sent me...

Jesus' Purpose (Luke 4:16-21)

Luke 4:16-21 ¹⁶ When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ¹⁸ "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  ²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

This may be my favorite scripture in the Bible.  Jesus is in his hometown.  In the same way that a candidate runs for office, Jesus takes this opportunity on the Sabbath day in a public place to announce that he is the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies.  It is an unspoken invitation to those present to support him in his purpose.  And in doing so he tells them what his purpose is:  Through the Holy Spirit's power, he will release the captives, heal the blind, and free the oppressed.  The work he will do during his life, on the cross, and in the resurrection - is done in order to accomplish these things.  Jesus is the social justice candidate.  And yet, not a candidate at all - he has been anointed to this purpose.

The other thing that Jesus proclaims is that this is "the year of the Lord's favor" which indicates that not only is the scripture is being fulfilled now, but this is a reference to year of Jubilee.  Every fifty years debts were forgiven and slaves were set free (Lev 25:8-17). If your family had lost its land - it was given back to you.  If you had borrowed money that you could not repay, it was forgiven you.  If you had commited a crime, you were pardoned.  Jesus has come to give us freedom from our failures and a new life in him.

This is what Jesus is all about!  How can you serve the Christ who came to release the captives, heal the blind, and free the oppressed?  How can you celebrate Jublilee every day now that Christ has pardoned you?

Jesus' Message (Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:14-15)

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."



Mark 1:14-15 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Jesus' message (the gospel of God):  Repent,  The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,  and believe in the gospel!

Most often Jesus was calling people to repent from religion which tried to control God - from trying to force God's hand to get God blessings by keeping a set of rules, beliefs, and good deeds. Christians struggle even now not to become like the religious people (the Pharisees) of Jesus' day. But other times, Jesus called people to repent from an immoral lifestyle - like he did with the Samaritan woman who had multiple partners that were not her husband. Repentance means to turn from old ways towards the way of Jesus.

The Kingdom of Heaven is both a present and future reality. Presently Jesus was with them - his reign was beginning as people began to repent and follow him. Jesus also taught that the Kingdom is within us - a reference to the Holy Spirit's work in believer's lives. But the Kingdom of Heaven is also a future concept when a day will come when Jesus will reign everywhere and forever.

Believe in the gospel is not the same as "believe" in Santa. I think "trust" is a better translation since the word "believe" in Christian cultures has cheapened. "Trust in the gospel" means our belief goes so far that we enter into a relationship with God where we give up our selves and place our selves in God's care and control. It is where we desire Jesus' reign in our lives - to be the servants of God.

Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, put your trust in God's good message!

Who will save your soul? (Matthew 4:13-16)

Matthew 4:13-16 And leaving Nazareth, Jesus came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, ¹⁵ "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- ¹⁶ "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, And to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a light dawned."

Galilee was a place that was looked down upon.  It was a multicultural port town controlled by the Romans where people lived however they wanted.  Think sailors and merchants and pirates!  It was also the place where Jesus was from.  And in these verses it is where the Messianic light first dawned on the darkness.

I think God sent Jesus to the dark places first, because these people of Galilee didn't need convincing that they were in need of help.  They knew they weren't living with integrity and in abundance.  Contrast them with the religious rule-following Pharisees in Jerusalem who couldn't imagine they even had a need for Jesus.  They thought that they needed a political figure - someone to overthrow the Roman government and get rid of the tax collectors!    And Jesus wasn't that guy.  Jesus is preaching that his followers should pay their taxes, give away their belongings, and go an extra mile every single time.  Mind blowing stuff.

But the people in Galilee, they were different.  They knew they needed salvation.  They knew they hadn't earned it.  So maybe they were ready to see the light when it dawned.

What will save your soul?  Your good deeds?  Your right theology?  The rules you keep? 

Samaritan Woman: Food you know nothing about (John 4:31-38) 5 of 5

Part 5 of a 5 part series on the Samaritan Woman

While the Samaritan woman was fetching her friends...
John 4:31-38 ³¹ Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." ³² But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." ³³ So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" ³⁴ Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.

Food is what nourishes and sustains the body.  So what is Jesus talking about:  "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work"?  This isn't the first time Jesus has said something odd like this about food.  When he was being tested by Satan in the wilderness, Satan told Jesus to turn the stones into food.  Jesus refused saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4).  Jesus is comparing food to hearing God's word and doing God's work.  Later Jesus will become this food.  He will take the bread, break it and say, "This is my body broken for you."

Hearing and doing God's work nourishes and sustains. And Jesus himself nourishes and sustains.  On a more mundane note, he seems to be telling the disciples that he can't be bothered with eating dinner right now... this spiritual bread is more important... he has work to do right now.

I wonder, as Jesus is telling the disciples this, if he can see the friends of the Samaritan women coming toward them.  Picture Jesus speaking and motioning to a crowd in the distance, coming out of the town, crossing the fields towards the well.  Perhaps Jesus sees them coming and says to his disciples...

35 Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36 The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

That is the last thing Jesus says before the Samaritans arrive.  This is an unclean group of people - they don't know the right theology and at least some of them are leading immoral lives.  And they are descending on Jesus and his disciples because he is who they have been seeking.  The Messiah has come to proclaim the truth to them - to set their lives straight.  They are the harvest ready to be gathered.  Not the Jews - not right now - these unclean Samaritans are ready to proclaim, "Jesus is the savior of the world!"

Who will you run into today that is seeking Jesus?  As I wrote this blog today, I sat next to a teenager - dark glasses, longish uncombed hair, scruffy 2-day beard, and smoking a cigarette.  We shared a sidewalk table at Starbucks.  He smiled at me and wanted to talk.  He told me he was waiting for friends.  He said he hoped they wouldn't bother me, because sometimes they made a lot of noise.  I liked him right away and told him that I worked better with a lot of noise.  In fact, I really hoped they would sit at our table and make a lot of noise!  And when they came, they were hardly noisy, but I loved listening to them talk.   They are the kind of teens seeking to be more than what society tells them they should seek.  Success as defined by their parents isn't enough - money isn't that meaningful - they want purpose in life!  They are my kind of peeps!  They don't care if they fit into a society has let them down - broken homes, abuse, a school system where one size has to fit all.  These kids are seeking living water and the food that Jesus offers.  They don't know it, but this is what they long for.  Say a prayer for them and for me... I didn't even think about telling them of Jesus until I came home.  I could have... as smart as they were, they would have enjoyed the conversation.  But I will go back on Friday aiming for the same time, same Starbucks and hope they show up at my table again.  I will tell them more about what I am working on this time and see if the Holy Spirit is ready for me to talk about Jesus.

Who do you know that is searching for food that nourishes and sustains the spirit?

Samaritain Woman: Brings her friends to the well (John 4:25-26) 4 of 5

Part 4 of a 5 part series on the Samaritan Woman

Jesus has been talking in private to the Samaritan woman.  He has told her that he is the Messiah...

John 4:27-30 ²⁷ Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" ²⁸ Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ²⁹ "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" ³⁰ They left the city and were on their way to him...

John 4:39-42 ³⁹ Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed because of his word. ⁴² They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world." The headline might read:  "Woman finds living water and brings her friends to the well!"

She runs off - leaving her water jar behind - to find her friends and bring them to see the Messiah. When was the last time you brought someone to the well?  She risked people thinking she was nuts.  But it was too important to keep to herself.

The whole town comes... and they judge for themselves... "this is truly the Savior of the world."  Practically speaking, what would it look like in your life today if you brought someone to the well?

Samaritan Woman: Messiah Revealed (John 4:25-26) 3 of 5

Part 3 of a 5 part series on the Samaritan Woman

John 4:25-26 ²⁵ The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." ²⁶ Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you."

Thinking Jesus was a prophet, the woman asks where she should worship - in the Jerusalem Temple or the Samaritan Mountain,  Jesus tells her the Jews have the right idea on this one, but that it really doesn't matter because God is seeking those who desire to worship him in spirit and truth. 

Then the woman reveals something about herself... she is waiting for the Messiah to come and to tell humanity what is right.  In a sense, she is admitting that she doesn't know the answers herself, but is trusting the Messiah to know them.  This is an incredible thing.  She desires to be led by the Messiah and she trusts that he will have the right answers.  Despite her immorality, she is seeking God.

And little does she know... she is talking to the Messiah.  It must have been surreal as Jesus reveals this to her.  She has morality issues... sleeps around... doesn't honor the relationships she has... maybe its that she just wants to be loved. She isn't the kind of woman Jesus "should" be talking to.  And yet he does.  Her heart longs for him to set all things right.

You can have this kind of trust relationship with the Messiah!  Instead of having to have all the right theological answers (whether they are actually clear or not)... instead of knowing all the right rules to follow (and making sure everyone else follows them)... or even the right good deeds to do (knowing who deserves your money and time).  What if you trusted Jesus to have all the answers for you?  What if he was your source of living water?  Him.  Not the trappings of religion.  Would it free you up to seek God in spirit and truth?

Samaritan Woman: Spirit and Truth (John 4:16-24) 2 of 5

Part Two of a Five Part Series on The Samaritan Woman

John 4:16-24 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman who she is - which causes her to believe that he is a prophet. 

If you had a moment with a prophet, what would be the one question you would ask them?  For me, I would want to immediately get to know them... what they are like on the inside... do they laugh easily, what are they passionate about, what is it like to be a prophet?  I'd not take my eyes off of them as I asked them question after question - noting every reaction - trying to catch a glimpse of who they really are.  I'd want to know them intimately.  But for this woman... she had a theological question:  "Where is the correct place to worship?"

Seriously?  This is her question?  The creator of the universe is sitting next to her and she wants to know the equivalent of where to go to church on Sunday?

This is like having an audience with God and asking "How much should liturgists do in church?" Or "Should women be pastors?" Or "Can you be a republican and still go to heaven when you die?" Things - that even if they could be answered with yes and no precision - really don't matter much except to people who can't see the larger picture - the vast eternalness of God's love that has the ability to transform those on all sides of controversy into his followers.    But this is where her mind is stuck.  These are the answers she wants. 

Thankfully, Jesus takes her beyond herself and her question and tells her that "God is seeking those who worship him in spirit and in truth."

God cannot be confined to a set of rules to follow (never will he use a liturgist, never will he use a woman, never will he use a republican - or democrat) any more than the wind can be confined to a space.  God is seeking out those who desire to worship him authentically.

How can your life authentically worship God today?  How can you worship God in Spirit and in Truth?

Samaritan Woman: Living Water (John 4:5-15) 1 of 5

Part One of a Five Part Series on The Samaritan Woman

John 4:5-15 ⁵ So Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. ⁷ A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." ⁸ (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." ¹¹ The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" ¹³ Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." ¹⁵ The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."

The Samaritans were sort of "new-agers" in Jesus' day.  They combined Jewish theology with all kinds of other religions.  They didn't accept the temple in Jerusalem as their place of worship and, at one time, they had even dedicated a temple to Zeus.  The Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans - in fact, Jesus became unclean in their eyes to even go through this territory - much less to talk to one of them.  And being alone and talking with a woman who he was not related to, was again, a whole other issue of defilement depending on which Jewish sect you belonged to.

But having a relationship with the "enemy" doesn't worry Jesus. It doesn't intimidate him in any way.  And so they talk about living water.  This living water that Jesus has becomes "a spring of water gushing up to eternal life".  You just need to drink it - and you won't have need for anything else.

The Samaritans had been searching for something... they'd been really thirsty looking for other gods and philosophies to follow.  But Jesus sits before this woman and says, "My water is the real deal - the only thing you will ever need."

I think it is easy to become disillusioned with being a follower of Jesus.  His "followers" are anything but real much of the time.  Who wouldn't want to look for something better if you base your choice of religion on those who are claiming it, but not really living it out?  And the Samaritans had been through a lot - they were descendants of the remnant of Jews who had not been forced to leave Jerusalem during the earlier invasions when other Jews were forced out of the land.  Their land was then resettled by foreigners with foreign gods and the Samaritans assimilated. 

But Jesus sits there inviting this woman to experience living water.  In fact, Jesus invites us all to drink!

The rest of the series on the Samaritan woman continues tomorrow...