|
LUKE SERIES: CHAPTER 6- WE DO INTRODUCTION Chapter six is all about the real objective. The why, what, and how of our purpose here.
Journeying into this chapter, an old memory flashed in my mind. It was back when I was a kid. My best friend had a little pool table in his basement. And it became a centerpiece of recreation. And every now and then his little brother, Norman would want to play with us, and that was a disaster! Norman had heart, but he was a little weak on the “dos” of the game.
He realized you were supposed to sink the balls into the pocket. What he didn’t get was; you had to use the little white cue ball to do it. So Norman would just poke the numbered balls directly into the pockets. So, even though Norman would sink a whole table in one turn- he had never won a game; all because he didn’t understand the real objective of the game.
It’s funny to think of Norman missing the whole point of the game; but it is not funny that countless people are making the same mistake with their eternity. –People thinking they’ve got religion and God down; when in fact, they’re missing the whole point. Luke chapter six is all about that tragedy.
The scene opens like this: Luke 6 1. Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2. And some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?'' 3. But Jesus answering them said, "Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4. "how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those who were with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?'' 5. And He said to them, "The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.''
In an effort to guard God’s commands; the ancient Jews valued rules over reasons. God made a rule, we’ll make ten rules about His one rule so we’ll be sure not to break it. And nowhere was this more evident that in dealing with the Sabbath.
There were four laws dealing with food on the Sabbath: It was a serious offence to- reap, thresh, winnow, or prepare food. Technically; when the disciples plucked the grain, they were reaping. When they rubbed the grain in their hands, they were threshing. When they tossed away the husks, they were winnowing. And when they popped it in their mouths, they had prepared food. They had broken all the rules!
The Pharisees are offended, but Jesus focuses on the “why” of the command from God. First, from their own history- David ate the Bread of the Presence, off the altar. Even the priests couldn’t do that- what a violation of the Law! Yet, it was accepted. Why? -Because the level of human need over-ruled legal technicality.
Then Jesus points out their own understanding. When any good rabbi taught about the Sabbath, he would say, “The Sabbath was made for man. Not man for the Sabbath.” In Mark chapter two Jesus is having the same conversation and he says this: 27. And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28. "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.''
There is a reason behind the rule- Sabbath rest is for the quality and welfare of human life. …In verses 6-11, the scene changes, but the issue remains the same. There’s a man at the Sabbath meeting. Tradition has it, that this man had been a mason. Somehow, his right hand had been damaged and withered. He depended on his hands for his trade. Now he was reduced to begging in the street.
This man’s life was ruined. So, there’s a choice to be made- what is the higher directive; the letter of the law, or the reason on which it is founded?
There is a place for law. But tragically, it is a human tendency to get stuck in the technical rut of rules- even in church, and especially, our own. It may be unwritten rules like: you must look good, smell good, and behave well when you come into a place like this. I have to say, I really appreciate it when folks follow those rules. But Jesus said, WHY we are here is to “call the sick.” What happens when the sick don’t –look, smell, or behave well?
What happens when we choose rule over principle? I’ll tell you what Jesus tells me: It’s like sinking a whole pool table, but neglecting to use the little white cue ball to do it. It is disastrous to forget the “why” of Christ.
13. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
Jesus chose twelve. And He chose them, for three reasons. First- He chose His friends. That is something to take to heart. Even Jesus had need of friends and fellowship. The New Testament gives absolutely no model of being a lone-wolf Christian.
An interesting dynamic takes place when people become friends of Christ. In the original twelve; one was a tax collector- universally considered a traitor to his people. Another was a zealot. The vow of a zealot was to kill Romans and traitors. And yet these two remained in close fellowship. One of the greatest miracle of the church is the fact that it holds together at all. There are friendships, which in any other circumstances, couldn’t possibly happen.
-And, Jesus gathered disciples. The goal was to have more than friends, but to have learners. Disciple means “learner.” It is our personal objective to learn and grow. Not just for ourselves, but for others- we cannot take them any further than we have gone ourselves.
That is what we do- learn and grow. There are good books out there. Read them, but remember: Christ does not spread His life-changing power by writing in books; He writes on people. He has from the very beginning.
Thirdly, Jesus brought together apostles. -The word “apostle” means an envoy, ambassador, representative; an example.
There’s a story of a little girl who went to Sunday school. They were learning about the example of Jesus. Well, she didn’t say it quite right. She told her parents we are “samples” of Jesus. –Actually that little girl got it exactly right. We are to become samples of Christ. That’s what we do.
By verse 20, the scene changes again. Most people have heard of “The Sermon on the Mount,” this is “The Sermon on the Plain?” They are much the same in that each statement is a bombshell. Each statement turns the natural way we value, upside down. 21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. 23. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! -For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. 24. "But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25. Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.
Society puts a great deal of credence on who are the “winners” and “losers.” And if you have everything you want, you’re rich and laughing with contentment … well, you’re pretty much a winner!
Jesus turns the whole thing upside-down. You’re a winner if you are starving for truth and goodness. You’re a winner if you’re willing to sacrifice the fleeting popularity of today, for acceptance in the eternity yet to come.
If you have all the material stuff and you really believe that’s where it’s at; you’re your goose is cooked! -When the material things come to an end, so does your happiness- forever. …Shed tears now for the right reason; and in the end; the joy will be yours forever.
It’s a revolutionary way of sizing up the real “winners” and “losers.” …And what do winners do? 27. "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28. "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. … 31. "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32. "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33. "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Love your enemies.
The word for love, here is “agapan.” It means a personal resolve to do good. And this sets the message of Christ apart from even the best philosophy or religion man has ever devised: · The Greek philosopher taught- “What things make you angry when you suffer them at the hands of others, do not you do to other people.” · Confucius taught- “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
It sounds like “the Golden Rule.” But there is a fundamental difference. Jesus said: 31. "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
The human idea is in NEGATIVE form. –Just don’t do bad things. But Jesus says, not doing things is nice. But simply being nice doesn’t bring life.
For spiritual life to take root in humanity we have to go beyond passive politeness to active goodness; we must- do. –Do what God has set before us to do. Jesus says- refuse to let others set the level of goodness practiced in your life. Look to the welfare of others; despite what they may choose. To be a “little Christ” is to live that revolutionary mindset. God says; that’s a winner.
In the example of Jesus: Why we do- is for the desperate need of humanity. What we do- is become a “sample of Jesus.” …And how we do- is in this: 47. "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48. "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49. "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.''
There is an interesting cycle of seasons in Israel. In the summer, many of the rivers dry up leaving a nice flat, sandy bed. It would be very easy to build a house there.
However, if you did that, you’d be in for a really nasty surprise. -By winter, when the cold rains fell, you’d wake up one morning to find your house in the middle of a raging river. And all your possessions, all you life’s work would be torn away in a moment.
The wise builders search out the higher rock. It’s hard work chiseling into that solid rock. –It takes time to set a deep foundation. But by winter, that builder receives his reward; his precious house remains standing- firm and secure.
There is no instant Christianity. There is no effortless path to real growth and accomplishment. Even for God; there was no easy way to save the world.
One of the great things of the Olympic coverage is the life stories. There are countless stories of amazing, life-long commitment and incredible sacrifice- just for that 60 second shot to, possibly win a gold medal. Is it surprising that we have to invest our lives in order to grasp a certain eternity? –Is that what we’re really doing?
INVITATION · When is the last time you reminded yourself: you are living your life in the context of eternity? –Not for a gold medal but a golden eternity. · When is the last time you told God; that is what you choose?
Even though we’ve been focusing on what we do outside of this place, I’ve noticed it’s been a while since there’s been any visible response in this place.
I’m not looking for drama, but- we are at the starting point of this year’s routine; the school year. With all the challenges and plans, isn’t there anyone who needs to travel that extra mile to the altar- for extra strength; to renew commitment; for direction; for help. If you sense it is time to do some serious connecting with God; for the sake, and in the fellowship, of your church- now’s the time. Build each other up. When it’s all said and done: That is the- why, what, and how- of our purpose.
|
