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Tag: Christ

  • Interrupting Jesus 10 – a child of God

    Interrupting Jesus 10 – a child of God

    Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. – Proverbs 20:11 KJV

    The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Proverbs 23:24 KJV

    Before we look at the role of children and a rather well-known interruption of Jesus, I would like for us to briefly consider the role of Jesus as Son of God.

    GOD, the LORD Jehovah, is Creator of all men, Father of all mankind and Ruler of all creation.

    I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. – Isaiah 43:15 KJV

    In a sense we are all sons and daughters of God; yet Jesus IS God Incarnate, a begotten Son of God the Father by a woman born to man.

    It hadn’t been so many years since Jesus as a young man had became known to the rulers of the Temple.

    Luke 2:40-52 English Standard Version (ESV)

    40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

    Just a couple of quick questions for you as a 21st century parent:

    • Do you spend time in the Bible with your children so that they will become strong in the Lord and filled with wisdom?
    • Do you regularly observe the teaching traditions of the church with your children?

    The Boy Jesus in the Temple

    41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it…

    Joseph and Mary trained up Jesus in the way He should go, that when the time came for a young man to seek the favor of God that their young adult would obey the Lord.

    46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers…

    52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

    The leaders would be older men with years of understanding from scripture and from life. Jesus is now just thirty years old, a relatively young teacher at the beginning of His ministry, who though not married is of age most other men have sons of their own. This iterate Rabbi is not the stately grandfather who sits in the Temple or Synagogues only to share their wisdom of age.

    The Apostle John tells a story of how Jesus uses the faith of a young boy to bring many to faith.

    Jesus is teaching the crowds. The Apostles are serving Him and ministering to the crowds. It has been centuries since the Kingdom of Israel. It has been centuries since the miracles of the Prophets.

    Which generation will see the restoration of the Kingdom, the people ask? Which generation after all these will see the coming of the Christ?

    The people followed Jesus to hear the Lord teach and to witness His righteousness and power and healing.

    John 6:

    3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples…  5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

    Imagine that your son comes to you and says, “I want to go with the neighbors who are going to see Jesus of Nazareth teach on the mountainside.”

    “Just a moment young man,” says the good Jewish mother. “Not without some food and water you don’t.” And the mom packs her son a lunch and sends him out with it and skin of cold water from their well for the long day ahead.

    “Now off with you” the mother encourages her son, “and be back by dark.”

    Returning to John’s Gospel:

    8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 

    Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

    It is no small role this young man who wanted to see Jesus played in the faith of the five thousand.

    Another interruption: a father coming to Jesus for the sake of his young son:

    Luke 9:

    38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child…

    How many parents would willingly press through the crowds surrounding this Jesus Christ, a superstar descended from the mountain, just to have an uncontrollable child healed?

    “…  Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

    How every loving parent would love to have the Lord give your suffering child back to you. Jesus is not here only to feed the five thousand on the mountaintop. Jesus is present for even a child in need. Jesus IS here even for you.

    Jesus’ Disciples often thought of Him as a leader of men, here only to restore Israel and heal the faithful. How often we are wrong about the Messiah.

    Mark 10:

    13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

    15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

    16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

    First century families and the religious establishment often thought the teaching of Rabbis was important only to men, especially men of learning; certainly not to women (let her husband instruct her) or to children (who were only to obey without understanding).

    Jesus most often used the relationship of God as Father, a loving Father; therefore our Lord showed children the kindness of a loving Father in Heaven.

    Is it not important for us to lead our children by the example of our compassion?

    Jesus welcomed children to hear scripture, to receive healing, even to receive life. Children have so much value for a time that will last beyond a generation of our own.

    Christ Jesus welcomes woman and men to God’s Kingdom with joy. He teaches us to have a simple faith. Let Jesus be your Lord, as a loving father would be your parent.

    Men now relegate religion to the attention of the woman of the house ‘for the instruction of the children.’ Christianity is for children and moms, not working dads who know better than to bow down before anyone (let alone God). How sad for our broken homes that we would send children to Jesus and not hear the very Word of God for ourselves.

    We are a hard-hearted and sinful generation in a way more lost than those to whom Jesus first came on the mountainsides of Galilee and in the hills of Jerusalem.

    • When was the last time you interrupted GOD with a childlike praise?
    • When will your week finally conclude with your reverent worship of our loving Father?
    • When will we humbly bow down to GOD our Father and have the pure joy of Jesus as our Lord?

    How long, O man, will you count your days as if they are your own?

    Mark 10:24

    And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

     

  • Interrupting Jesus 8 – late to a funeral

    Interrupting Jesus 8 – late to a funeral

    Are the moments of Jesus’ earthly mission so different than yours?

    • What unexpected event interrupts your week?
    • Who interrupts your daily journey though life?
    • How will you touch their lives?
    • How will you fit everything and everyone in?

    Jesus, the promised Christ of GOD the Father, had an earthly mission to accomplish in just 3 years. You and I, mortal souls bound by flesh, have missions to accomplish, goals and plans for our everyday mortal lives. Just like in the life of Christ, what happens? Interruptions.

    One event on our planner leads to another and gets interrupted by a life event or person we must ‘pencil in.’ How does God want us to face the unexpected?

    Matthew 9: ESV

    14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” … 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

    O.K. You are in an important meeting with VIP’s of the community (even someone from your church or synagogue). Someone informs you that ‘so and so’ has died. Of course, you want to go comfort their loved ones, who may even be acquaintances, friends or family of yours.

    In fact, the man who came to Jesus with the news was actually the father of the one who had died. Furthermore, the man is an official, a ruler of some kind who not only has come to Jesus, but worships Jesus as Lord.

    Yet there is an urgency here more important even than attending a funeral. The man is important and has bowed down to Jesus as Lord. Above all, this ruler has shown faith in what he asks of Jesus:

    “… come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

    Is this ruler of the Jews saying that He not only believes that Jesus is the Messiah of Jehovah, but that Jesus can give live eternal (after death) to his beloved daughter who has just died?

    Yes! But perhaps more.

    Is it possible that this ruler, father of the girl who had just died, may have heard of the miracle Jesus performed on the boy in the casket at Nain? Perhaps.

    If you or I were a father or mother in the presence of God Incarnate, would we ask the Lord Jesus to raise our child from the dead (if it is His will)?

    So Jesus Christ leaves His meeting with the Pharisees and accompanies the official to his home. AND like so often happens with Jesus, once more He is interrupted along His journey by someone else with faith – a woman who also believed.

    christ-and-woman-with-issue-of-blood20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

    Perhaps Jesus is now hemmed in by the crowds like when the men came to Him and had to cut through the roof to bring their paralyzed friend to the Messiah. Maybe Jesus was on the way to the home of the official and still had the usual crowds all around Him.

    The unclean woman wants to touch Jesus! How would this Rabbi react – how will this renowned teacher act when an unclean woman stands in the path He must take to go to the funeral of Jairus’ daughter?

    22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

    Again, Jesus does not ignore her for the important official; nor does our Lord fail to show her compassion.

    The Apostle Matthew reports the interruption in the mission of Jesus and summarized the impact of the miracle Jesus would perform for Jairus’ daughter. Matthew tells how after these two interruptions Jesus became even more well known for the His miracles.

    … 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

    The patient history of the Gospel writer Dr. Luke, however, provides additional detail of both interruptions. See how we sometimes overlook the obvious, that Jesus did not accomplish either of these miracles without an ordinary passing of mortal time with travel on foot through crowds of followers. (First, a context of some passing time, growing crowds and place:)

    Luke 8:

    Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities…

    4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed…

    26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee…

    Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’s Daughter

    40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house,42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

    • a man named Jairus 
    • ruler of the synagogue 
    • falling at Jesus’ feet 
    • he had an only daughter, age 12 
    • she was dying

    As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.

    43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.

    • woman had discharge of blood 12 years
    • spent all her living on physicians
    • not healed by anyone
    • healed the moment she touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment

    44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.

    45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?”

    When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”

    • Again, crowds pressing in on Jesus
    • Peter and the Apostles are with Jesus

    46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”

    47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

    • Like the ruler of the synagogue asking for Jesus to heal his daughter; the woman had the faith to press through the crowds to touch Jesus so that she might be healed.

    48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

    49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”

    • Jairus undoubtedly knew that his 12 year old daughter was near death when he finally came to Jesus.
    • Now Jairus’ daughter has died. (Too late to heal her…)

    Will you also be near death in your sin before you will come to Jesus Christ in faith?

    50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”

    51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

    Do some of us laugh at Jesus when He says we are dead, but He can heal us?

    Are we sleeping in our sin?

    54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.

    Your spirit will not return to you while you sleep. Is your flesh yet alive, while your spirit is dead?

    Make no mistake about it. Jairus’ daughter was dead physically, neither breathing nor alive any more than the boy in the casket at Nain. It is the spirit that gives the body life!

    God created us body and soul. Jesus Christ commanded her spirit to live once more and her spirit and life returned to her body.

    And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

    Jesus commanded her parents to give her something to eat. Feed your body. Drink water for your flesh and blood. Be nourished in the flesh and live well.

    Yet God alone commands your soul, gives being in your creation and conception. God alone measures the days of your body and soul, appointed to a time to die… for your soul to sleep until the day we are revived for the Judgment.

    • A woman in continual pain comes to Jesus in faith for just the touch of His healing.
    • A father of a dying girl comes to Jesus in faith for the laying on of His hands of healing.

    Will you, dear fellow sinner, come to Jesus in faith, which bids your soul to awake to eternity?

    “Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

  • Interrupting Jesus 7 – a lowly woman

    Interrupting Jesus 7 – a lowly woman

    Luke 7:

    36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

    Nice. One of the leading men of your church asks you to dinner. Jesus did just what we would do: He accepted.

    37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment…

    alabaster-jarYou go to a nice house of one of the leading citizens in town and chit-chat while the food is being prepared. You begin enjoying your dinner and conversation; but like so many times during Jesus’ mission, some of the common people in town hear about the Messiah’s dinner plans and just show up uninvited.

    38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

    Now what?

    39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

    You are trying to convince an important religious leader that He needs to believe that you are the One God has sent to Israel as the Messiah. (If you or I had been sent all we would need here is a small miracle; or perhaps we would make a more persuasive logical argument from the Law or the Prophets, like so many times before.)

    Jesus (as we know) doesn’t deal with interruptions by people the same way you and I do, fortunately.

    He lifts up the lowly and humble and rebukes the high and arrogant.

    Jesus speaks the truth in love to his host.

    40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

    (Jesus has a way of telling stories which convicts softly.)

    The impact of a parable is in the love for the hearers convicted.

    41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

    43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.”

    And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

    [Note now the gentle body language of our Lord as He turns to the lowly woman, glorifying her, while He speaks the gentle truth of His rebuke for His host, the Pharisee, Simon.]

    Woman annointing Jesus' feet Olejek44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

    Three strikes for His host: no water, no kiss of greeting, no anointing. Here is where we fail in our everyday dealings with ordinary guests. Simon is most certainly convicted, while Jesus points to the humility of the woman who interrupted them as a better hostess, even though she is a sinner looked down on by society.

    47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.

    But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

    • Do you dwell comfortably at a table of those with little to forgive?
    • Do you consequently lack compassion for those whose sins seem worse than your own?

    48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

    [The dinner and Bible study continues. The host and invited guests wonder at the compassion of Jesus as He sends this sinful woman away.]

    49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

    50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

    Shalom. Your faith in the Messiah Jesus has saved you.