Chapter Twenty-four

The week of July 1


No Ordinary Man

Jesus did not have his own home. He occasionally traveled in southern Judah (predominately for festivals), and ventured into Samaria in the middle of Israel, but His predominant ministry was up north in Galilee, particularly in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. His teaching consisted primarily of stories with somewhat predictable endings. The stories were more obvious to those seeking God and more obscure to those with hardened hearts. Story narratives speak to post-moderns. If you had been there, how would Jesus' stories have spoken to you?

Pp 335-40 Many of Jesus' hearers lived by the soil so He used these topics in His parables, earthly stories with heavenly meanings. One parable spoke of the common seed falling on various kinds of soil. The seed was potent to sprout, but the receptivity of the soil gave opportunity to grow. The moral was to rely on God's changeless message and to be receptive soil in order to multiply growth. In another parable grain ripened when you are not looking, and is reaped sooner than later. In another, a mustard seed, one of the smallest, can grow to be one of the largest plants. Growth is by faith, not by sight.

Jesus spoke of a shepherd looking for his lost sheep, a woman seeking her lost coin equal to ten percent of her worth, and a father who gave his selfish son his inheritance. When the son repentantly returned, the father was grateful, but his other son begrudged the brother's return. This showed the heart of God Who desired sinners to repent, and the heart of the Pharisees, who gloated in keeping people in bondage to man's laws.

Jesus told the story of a man being beaten, robbed and left on the side of the road. While others lacked compassion and passed him by, a man, even a dishonored Samaritan, went out of his way to care for the man and provide for his well-being. Jesus highlighted the person who had mercy on another as being the good neighbor.

Pp 340-3  Jesus gave extended teaching on values of the kingdom. He was the King and this was how He wanted His kingdom to operate. It was an upside/down kingdom in which the servants were elevated and emulated and the proud were reaping what they sowed. People were 'blessed' when they did what God desired. These were the salt (seasoning) of the earth and the light of the world, shining the light on God's way. People were taught to pray in a simple, authentic manner. Forgiveness was in proportion to one's own forgiving. Treasures are not counted in ‘things’ and worry is banished because God cares for us. As birds and flowers represent a caring Creator's provision, we may set aside anxiety and realize God care for us.

Pp 343-6  Jesus used challenging moments in the natural world to make teachable moments. Jesus calmed a storm at sea with His own voice. An out of control, self-destructive man living in a graveyard succumbed to a word of authority from Jesus. Persons were more important than animals as the demons went from this man into many pigs. A woman with a twelve-year bleeding disease was healed as she faithfully touched the hem of Jesus' garment. The synagogue leader’s (Jairus) daughter was raised back to life after briefly tasting death. Two blind men had restored sight as they had concomitant faith in Jesus' authority to heal. The blind could see and the mute could speak; surely God was present and Jesus was His Ambassador.

Pp 346-51  Jesus' ministry multiplied when He sent out the twelve to go two by two, replicating many of the same things Jesus did: preaching, healing, proclaiming the kingdom being upon the people.

King Herod, the titular Jewish monarch, was disturbed with these reports. Who was this man? It couldn't be John the Baptist (could it?) whom Herod had beheaded. John had spoken against Herod's murderous and adulterous practices. Herod toyed with John, then ultimately had him killed, so Herod would not be shown up at a party.

Jesus was distraught that John, His relative was dead. Jesus attempted to withdraw from a crowd to be replenished (He was human, after all). But the people streamed to Jesus and His compassion overcame His lack of stamina. He had five thousand families (likely 15,000+ people) fed with five loaves and two fish. His faith released God's power. Another incident with a storm and Peter on the water caused the disciples to realize that Jesus did deserve their trust. Soon after that, Jesus challenged the crowd to come to Him for spiritual trust, not merely meeting physical needs. He was the Bread of Life, a broken person bringing life to the world. Rather than asking questions about what 'eating and drinking Jesus' meant, people stopped following in droves. Would the twelve leave Jesus as well?

Fortunately, Peter acknowledged that there was nowhere else to go. Only Jesus was the Holy One, with words of eternal life. Do Jesus’ words make you go deeper with God or cause a pause in your trust?