Something New

Luke 5:36 - He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.”

In my role as a professor and now a dean, I often have the privilege of spending time with church planters and visiting their churches. As a former pastor, I used to envy those brave souls who boldly went out in faith to start new churches from nothing and saw them thrive and reach hundreds where established pastors struggled to grow by one or two. It hardly seems fair, yet Jesus gives us a hint in the well-known parables of the patch and the wineskin: The new can adapt and adjust to dramatic change.

Cotton cloth that has not been pre-soaked will stretch a great deal in those early washings. I have destroyed many otherwise beautiful garments in my attempts to do laundry without reading labels. A new patch will shrink where an old garment will not. Likewise a new leather skin will stretch in response to the gases from fermentation when a skin that has already been stretched will break.

Notice that Jesus is not saying the old is bad here. In fact, he says just the opposite: “The old is good enough [for those who have tasted it].” (Luke 5:39) Those children of God who have faithfully served, prayed, loved, and given need to be honored and have a place where they can worship together authentically. That church just may not be as adaptable to reach the unchurched and younger generations. Much of the debate between church planters and established church leaders stems from a misunderstanding: Flexible or durable, we each have a critical role to play in the Kingdom of God.

Need

Luke 5:31-32 - And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

 

There is a reason guys notoriously hate to ask directions: It can be hard to ask for help. We have to acknowledge a lack on our part. We have to recognize we have a need. If (I think) I have no lack, I can see myself as better than those who do have needs. I am complete. They are incomplete. Nowhere is this attitude more common than among religious people.

Jesus had such issues with the Jewish religious leaders of his day, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, because they refused to acknowledge their own limitations while criticizing and ostracizing others whose weaknesses were obvious.  Here, the Pharisees were wondering why a “holy” man like Jesus would eat dinner with a group of sinful tax collectors.  Jesus points out their faulty reasoning by explaining that only those who admit their “sickness” can be healed. Like Jesus said to the Pharisees who attacked the man born blind that Jesus healed in John 9, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.”

It can be tough to enter the vulnerable position of admitting that we have problems and that we need Jesus’ help, but only then can we receive his healing. When we admit our mistakes to him, he forgives, and the greatest of all relationships is eternally restored.

Leave It Behind

Luke 5:27-28 - After this he [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

There was a pattern with those who followed Jesus of leaving something of significance behind. For Peter, John, and their brothers it was their nets (and the miraculous catch of fish inside). For Levi, it was his lucrative tax collecting business. The rich young ruler was unwilling to leave his wealth behind and chose not to follow Jesus although he wanted to. Throughout history, truly following Jesus has meant leaving something else.

It is hard to let go of something of value. For some, it is wealth. For others, it may be a significant relationship, a prestigious position, or a familiar landscape. The willingness to leave these things behind in order to follow Jesus is one of the biggest barriers to real fruit in our relationships with Jesus, especially in America. We have so much. We would like it if Jesus said, “Follow me and bring all your stuff with you.” But as the old cliché says, “If Jesus is not Lord of all he is not Lord at all.” Give him your life. Give him your everything.

Proof of the Invisible

Luke 5:23-24 -  "Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

It is understandably hard to believe in a God we cannot see. There are many ways to explain the existence of the complex, yet highly structured, creation that envelops us. Some people have developed some creative theories that do not involve an all-powerful creator. Yet, many of us believe a purposeful Designer provides a much more realistic explanation.

God often gives even more direct evidence of his reality and the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ. In this story, Jesus deals with an audience of skeptical Jewish leaders by using the physical evidence of miraculous healing to prove his divine authority to forgive sins.

I enjoyed reading Gifted Hands, by the renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson (who will speak at Southeastern University’s Forum in March 2014). He tells the story of his freshman year in college when he was at risk of flunking chemistry and thereby losing his scholarship and his opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. He needed to get an A on the final exam and studied until late at night, still unsure if understood what he needed to. The exhausted young Christian prayed one last desperate prayer for God’s help.  As he fell asleep, he experienced a vivid dream in which a shadowy figure began to write chemistry equations on the board. Carson began to write notes in his dream then awoke to find he remembered everything. He was shocked to discover every problem on the exam had been in his dream. He earned a 97% and continued to seek God’s very real help throughout his career, finding that guidance leading to many breakthrough, life-saving surgical techniques.

There is proof of the invisible God’s very real power all around us. I have witnessed several cases in my own life the last few days. I encourage you to open your eyes in new ways and embrace the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Other's Faith

Luke 5:20a -   “When he saw their faith…”

The paralyzed man is this story in Luke 5 could not come to Jesus on his own. He needed help, and a group of other men took him to Jesus. When the crowd was so large that they could not get into the house where Jesus was teaching, they made the arduous effort to climb onto the roof, haul up the paralyzed man, and cut a hole in the roof to drop the man in front of Jesus.

Faith is usually the biggest factor in the Gospel accounts of healing. Usually Jesus or the Gospel writers note the faith of the one asking for healing as the reason he or she is healed. In this passage, though, Luke is clear that Jesus saw their faith – that is the faith of the paralytic’s friends. The intercession of others combined with the “power of the Lord to heal” (vs 17) ultimately led to this man’s healing.

“I will pray for you” must be more than a polite remark to friends in need. Even when those struggling are at the end of their faith, Jesus can see and respond to the faith of others who are working hard to bring their loved ones’ needs to him. Intercession is powerful. Take some time to pray for someone else today.

 

When there is Power for Healing

Luke 5:17b -   …The power of the Lord was with him to heal.

Miraculous healing is one of the greatest evidences of the truth of the message of Jesus Christ and also one of the biggest barriers to faith for some people. Early in 2013 I had the privilege of reviewing Craig Keener’s monumental scholarly study on Miracles that cites literally thousands of cases of real, verifiable healings around the world in response to faith in Christ. Study after study has shown that sick people are far more likely to get better and get better more quickly with Christian prayer than without. Yet, not everyone is healed. Many have prayed with all the faith they could muster only to see a loved one pass away.

So many things about the Christian faith are enigmatic. We want formulas. We want everything to happen the same way every time. We want to be able to say the magic words “Shazam! Abracadabra!” and see the miracles happen, but it does not work that way. In reaction, some Christians have abandoned expecting any supernatural occurrences whatsoever. However, this can be equally destructive. If we cannot expect God to work with us in this life, how can we be sure he will take care of us in the next?

I do not have a simple answer of why God does not always heal. However, I know he often does. The short sentence above from early in Jesus’ ministry is quite telling: “On one of those days… the power of the Lord was with him to heal.” What does that mean? It sounds like on some days healings did not occur. Why else would Luke have noted this? We do not get to know why healings did not happen on the other days. We can obsess over the “not” days. We can avoid seeking healing in case it is a “not” day, but if we do that we miss the possibility that this could be “one of those days” that the power of the Lord is with us to heal. Let’s seek him in faith every day.

What Jesus Wants

Luke 5:12-13 - While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.

I was shy as a child. I was often afraid to ask someone else for something I wanted because I was afraid they would not want to give it to me. The other person would need to stop what they were doing, take time and attention away from their own affairs, and do something for my benefit. It might even cost them something. I hated the thought of someone else sacrificing for me. I also hated the risk they might reject my request.

Sometimes that attitude still affects my prayers. Would Jesus really want to do something for me? The leper in Luke 5 seems to have a similar mindset. He does not doubt that Jesus has the power to heal him. The only question is if he wants to.

The Greek word thelo is translated “will” in most Bible versions but encompasses the concept of desire and want. Do you want chocolate or vanilla? The person wanting chooses based on their desires.

Notice Jesus’ response. A good translation is: “I want to.” Jesus wanted to see the leper set free. Just as Jesus wanted to meet the leper’s need and cleanse him of that dreaded skin disease. He wants to help us. Let’s ask in confidence. Answering our requests is not a burden to him. It is what he wants to do.

Jesus Understands You

Luke 5:9-10 - He and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

In so many areas of personal interest, only another “insider” truly understands. If you are not a golfer, have you ever been with a group of golfers talking about their hobby? It probably sounded like gibberish. The same could be said for a non-football fan at a Super Bowl party. Before Keira and I started bike racing we had no appreciation for words like “peloton,” “paceline,” and “drafting.” Watching the Tour de France was mystifying if not a little boring. Now I watch more television in the month of July than the whole rest of the year put together. Many professions are the same way. There is a unique lingo, unique practices, and special outcomes only an expert insider can appreciate.

When Jesus called Peter and his friends, he first did something that a typical Galilean bystander could not fully appreciate. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus, the landlubber carpenter, told the professional angler Simon to put down his nets for a catch. The catch they pulled was more than he and his partners had ever seen. Both of their boats nearly sank. Jesus even used the metaphor of their career and passion to call them to a higher purpose: “From now on you will be catching men.”

Jesus knows you, and he knows your interests. Often he will speak to you in special ways only you can fully appreciate. Be looking for him to do that today.

Purposeful Moves

Luke 4:42-43 - And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

It can be hard to leave when things are going well. I recently left two jobs I loved in Washington State, lots of friends, great opportunities, a fun city, and one of the best seasons of life Keira and I have ever experienced. We were not looking to move. When the invitation came to move to a new position in Florida, I laughed out loud. Why would we leave? Yet, in many specific and unmistakable ways it became clear that this move was God’s plan for us. We gave up a lot and faced many unexpected and painful challenges along the way, but I can truly say I am glad to be here at Southeastern University. Sometimes God’s purpose for us involves changes that do not always make sense at the time.

After a tough time in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus received rave reviews in Capernaum. He performed many miracles, and the people loved him. Yet he knew he needed to move on. The people begged him stay, but he understood God’s purpose for him involved a move. It may be that you are in a place where you will need to make a move that is uncomfortable. That does not mean it is not the right thing to do.

Each

Luke 4:40 At sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick. He placed his hands on each one and healed them.

Jesus had just finished a long day. He had preached. He had taught. He had healed. Yet, people still had problems. More and more people came to Jesus to get help with their problems. If you have served in a helping profession, you know that after a while it is easy to stop seeing individual needs. Soon you stop seeing individuals with needs. Before long all you see is overwhelming need. It is easy to lose compassion for the individual.

In describing what was probably a typical day for Jesus, Luke adds a word he does not need to: ekastoi. This means “each.” The sentence would have read fine if he just wrote, “[Jesus] placed his hands on them…” Yet, he instead says Jesus “placed his hands on each one.” This stresses Jesus’ concern for each individual. The Greek text here says the people were sick with various diseases. Each person had his or her own unique problems, but Jesus cared for each one as an individual.

Whatever you may be going through today, Jesus knows what you are experiencing and wants to meet your unique need. He will deal with you as an individual. He knows, loves, and died for you.

Hop to It!

Luke 4:39 - And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

What is the first thing you do after being sick? Do you take it easy? Do you take that extra day off work? Do you fake it so you can prolong savoring the attention your loved ones sympathetically lavish on you?

Peter’s mother was suffering with a fever until Jesus came and healed her. Notice, though, that she did not continue to laze around. She immediately got up and began to serve Jesus and the disciples. She understood her purpose in life was to serve Jesus and others, and she took that purpose seriously. She did not waste a minute in selfishness. She got up and made a difference.

It is good for all of us to have an attitude check. We all need some rest. Some “me” time is important, but when it becomes our purpose for living we have forgotten why we are really here. Let us not miss an opportunity to serve Jesus and others.

Demons Know. Do You?

Luke 4:34-35 (ESV) “Ha! 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

In Western culture today, demons are common characters in horror movies and hard music. Most people, however, consider them to be mythical ideas left over from a pre-scientific age. If you travel outside of the secular West, though, you will find a completely different attitude. Missionaries have often encountered similar situations to Jesus’ ministry described above. Demonic encounters are common in many parts of the world today and occur more often in America than you might think. I have conducted several exorcisms in my ministry. I have had friends who have served overseas for whom casting out demons took a big portion of their ministry time and energy.

Demons are real spiritual beings that chose to side with Satan in the cosmic struggle against God. They will do everything they kind to undermine the ministry of Jesus Christ. However, they must respond to his authority. In fact, power encounters like this are a big reason millions of people overseas have left their traditional religions and come to Christ. I have a friend from India who became a Christian because his Hindu priest and the Muslim Imam he sought could do nothing to help his demonized daughter. When he took her to a Christian pastor who had faith in the authority of Christ, she was delivered.

Like the demon in the Bible passage above, demons know who Jesus is. They know he is completely different from all religious leaders. They respond submissively only to the name of Jesus. They know for sure that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Do you?

An Authoritative Word

Luke 4:32 They were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority

Of course you do not know the feeling of flashing lights in your mirror when you have been speeding, but ask anyone who has experienced that fear. The fear can come from what the driver might lose: money for the fine, driving rights because of the points, or respect because of her friends who recognize her call pulled over. The officer has the authority from the state or city to issue the ticket. In that sense, authority means the legal right to act on behalf of a higher power. However, the officer is also equipped with a gun and a fast, reinforced car with the physical power to run a rebellious lawbreaker off the road. That is real, tangible power.

Change the scenario and imagine your car is broken down on a long, dark, lonely road with wolves howling nearby and strange rough looking men in a beat up pickup truck rolling slowly by. Suddenly you see those same flashing lights. Now, instead of fear you feel relief. That same tangible and legal power now becomes a source of protection and provision.

When Jesus began his publicly ministry one thing the people immediately noticed that set him apart from the other preachers they had heard was that his word possessed authority. The Greek word exousia includes both the tangible and the legal concepts of authority. In the cases of Jesus’ preaching it meant that he unmistakable had the right to teach. He had the authority of a ruler. However, his word also had authority in the sense of real, tangible power. It was not just hot air. Jesus’ message changed lives. The dead were raised. The sick were healed. The oppressed were delivered.

In all the cases when Jesus sent out his followers, he gave them this same authority. He still does it today. When someone preaches with the authority of Jesus, look for the life change.

Breaking Free of Familiar Contempt

Luke 4:24 -And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.”
After passing the test of temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee in “the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:14) He started to teach and do miracles in such a way that his “fame” (in Greek, the word is fame’) went out throughout the region. His ministry was very successful everywhere except in his hometown of Nazareth.

Jesus’ words in the passage above have been quoted many times as evidence of the old adage, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” This is a big part of the reason the military has always frowned on fraternization between officers and enlisted personnel. It can be hard for an officer to order a dear friend into a battle that may cost a life. It can be even tougher to accept such an order from a friend.

Today, though, I encourage you to look at this passage from another perspective. What if Jesus never left Nazareth? Would he have gained the “fame” and influence and impact his ministry had? Sometimes it is up to us to get out of environments in which we will never thrive. I am in no way endorsing violating covenants and commitments, especially marriage, but at some point we have to leave our parents’ home. Some of us may need to leave our region. It can be scary leaving the familiar, but often we need a fresh start where we will not be defined by our past and by previous relationships. Do you need to leave some familiar contempt?