We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Today, I struggle with perspective.
Luke 8
40 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” 50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” 51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. 52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” 53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.
Faith. I struggle with passages like this ... scenes that seem to imply that I’ll get what I want if I have enough faith. Personally, I have known people of great faith that have died from diseases and I have known people of great faith that have been miraculously healed from diseases. For me, the real issue becomes perspective. My perspective changed when I began to see more of Jesus’ perspective (reread verse 52). For Jesus, these conditions (the woman’s disease and the daughter’s death) were temporary. His main desire for their/our faith was allowing him to provide healing (forgiveness) for their/our eternal condition ... sin that separates us from God in the life after death. Does that make it any easier to deal with the disappointment and frustration and pain of this life? Only in the sense that Jesus has removed them from the next life.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Leave
We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Periodically, we will skip over a passage so that we can complete this gospel (“good news”) with the RESET series. Please check out Luke 8:1-25. Today, we talk about fear.
Luke 8
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
Leave. When I read this story, I am always puzzled by the “people in the region”. It seems as if they would prefer to have an overpowering, demon possessed, naked man running around in their cemetery than Jesus providing healing in their town. Where does that kind of illogical thinking come from? Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of change. Fear of losing control. Sadly, even to this day, there are literally millions of people who are afraid of what they can’t explain about Jesus or afraid they are going to become a “Jesus freak” or afraid they will lose control of their life as they know it ... so they have asked Jesus to “leave them alone”. I appreciate the fact that Jesus graciously fulfills their request; but, he doesn’t give up on them. He asks the man that has been saved to stay and share his story. As Jesus followers, this is very important ... just because someone has given up on Jesus doesn’t mean Jesus has given up on them. We need to continue to love them and pray for them and when the opportunity presents itself ... share our story of what God has done for us with them.
Luke 8
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
Leave. When I read this story, I am always puzzled by the “people in the region”. It seems as if they would prefer to have an overpowering, demon possessed, naked man running around in their cemetery than Jesus providing healing in their town. Where does that kind of illogical thinking come from? Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of change. Fear of losing control. Sadly, even to this day, there are literally millions of people who are afraid of what they can’t explain about Jesus or afraid they are going to become a “Jesus freak” or afraid they will lose control of their life as they know it ... so they have asked Jesus to “leave them alone”. I appreciate the fact that Jesus graciously fulfills their request; but, he doesn’t give up on them. He asks the man that has been saved to stay and share his story. As Jesus followers, this is very important ... just because someone has given up on Jesus doesn’t mean Jesus has given up on them. We need to continue to love them and pray for them and when the opportunity presents itself ... share our story of what God has done for us with them.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Love
We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Today, we continue our conversation from this weekend.
Luke 7
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people - 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 I tell you, her sins - and they are many - have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Love. We talk a lot about how Jesus was seeking out “sinners” and how they were drawn to him; but I think it is important to point out here that just because Jesus didn’t agree with the Pharisees, it didn’t keep him from accepting an invitation to spend time with one. For me, the heart of this story is response. I love what Kenneth Bailey writes about this passage, “The more one understands forgiveness, the more love he will have for Christ. ... Humble service stems from a heart of gratitude for God's grace." Remember, Jesus’ teachings were unique. Most religions teach you that you have to do good in order to earn love and be accepted. Jesus teaches that God loves us and desires to embrace us and out of that gracious love ought to flow a desire to honor the one that loves us.
Luke 7
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people - 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 I tell you, her sins - and they are many - have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Love. We talk a lot about how Jesus was seeking out “sinners” and how they were drawn to him; but I think it is important to point out here that just because Jesus didn’t agree with the Pharisees, it didn’t keep him from accepting an invitation to spend time with one. For me, the heart of this story is response. I love what Kenneth Bailey writes about this passage, “The more one understands forgiveness, the more love he will have for Christ. ... Humble service stems from a heart of gratitude for God's grace." Remember, Jesus’ teachings were unique. Most religions teach you that you have to do good in order to earn love and be accepted. Jesus teaches that God loves us and desires to embrace us and out of that gracious love ought to flow a desire to honor the one that loves us.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Blesses
We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Periodically, we will skip over a passage so that we can complete this gospel (“good news”) with the RESET series. Please check out Luke 7:1-17. Today, we receive a blessing.
Luke 7
18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” 21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard - the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 23 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’” 24 After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
Blesses. I love this story ... for numerous reasons. I appreciate the fact that John (“the baptist”) had doubts. If there was ever anyone that should have known Jesus was the Messiah, it was John. It provides me comfort when I have moments of doubt. Even more than that, I appreciate the answer Jesus offers. He doesn’t respond by saying yes or know. Instead, he says look around, see what God is doing. For me, this is one of the reasons it is so important to be connected with others on this same journey ... whether it is in a Community Group or serving on a ministry team. There are going to be times when life is frustrating and overwhelming ... times when we begin to wonder if God has forgotten about us or abandoned us. It is in those moments that you will need to have others around you that will remind you that God is still near and still at work even though you may not feel it or see it at that time. Most importantly, I appreciate what Jesus says about himself, “God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.” I love that honesty. Like we said, last Friday and then talked about this past weekend, Jesus says and does some stuff that just doesn’t make sense or turns what we believe upside-down. The key is to not give in to those doubts and allow them to turn to unbelief; instead, keep watching, keep listening, keep questioning.
Luke 7
18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” 21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard - the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 23 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’” 24 After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
Blesses. I love this story ... for numerous reasons. I appreciate the fact that John (“the baptist”) had doubts. If there was ever anyone that should have known Jesus was the Messiah, it was John. It provides me comfort when I have moments of doubt. Even more than that, I appreciate the answer Jesus offers. He doesn’t respond by saying yes or know. Instead, he says look around, see what God is doing. For me, this is one of the reasons it is so important to be connected with others on this same journey ... whether it is in a Community Group or serving on a ministry team. There are going to be times when life is frustrating and overwhelming ... times when we begin to wonder if God has forgotten about us or abandoned us. It is in those moments that you will need to have others around you that will remind you that God is still near and still at work even though you may not feel it or see it at that time. Most importantly, I appreciate what Jesus says about himself, “God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.” I love that honesty. Like we said, last Friday and then talked about this past weekend, Jesus says and does some stuff that just doesn’t make sense or turns what we believe upside-down. The key is to not give in to those doubts and allow them to turn to unbelief; instead, keep watching, keep listening, keep questioning.
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