How do you approach Jesus? Here are some possibilities:
Burn with anger
Shrug your shoulders in indifference
Look the other way
Run the other way
Stand off at a distance
Look down your nose
Bow prostrate
Run into His arms
Run up to Him and demand
One thing’s for sure - we all approach Him sometime in our lives. For those of us who know Him personally it should be often. When Jesus comes into a life there is a reaction. Jesus isn’t neutral and He demands of us a decision - reject or accept, bow or run, believe or disbelieve. Paul in Romans 11 talks about "persisting in unbelief." Unbelief is not the absence of a decision, it is a decision in itself - and it must be persisted in, despite strong evidence to the contrary. At some point or another, Jesus enters our lives and we must make that decision. Today we see how 5 people or groups react to Jesus - and learn lessons about how we should react as well.
Verses 1 - 10
Centurions get a bad rap. Yes, they were sometimes brutal - but it is interesting that we read several stories in the New Testament about the faith and generosity of Centurions.
In addition to this story, we see the centurion who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus and how he exclaimed "Truly this was the Son of God". Later in Acts it is Cornelius in Caesarea who is so devoted to God that He sends Peter to him to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew’s gospel it is the centurion himself who comes to Jesus. Likely Luke has it a bit more accurately. For this type of person, dealing with the person’s representatives was just like dealing with them - so saying it either way was okay.
This is totally out of character for the typical Roman/Jewish relationship. Rocky at best - here this man loves God and the Jewish people so much that he actually funded a synagogue and probably worshiped there.
The man surely knew that a Jewish person could not enter a Gentile home - so he has second thoughts and sends his friends out to meet Jesus. But here is where the faith comes in so strongly. The man recognized the authority of Jesus - even though many of those who should have known rejected Him.
I really don’t know if there is a stronger example of faith and understanding of who Jesus is - prior to the resurrection - than this man. I don’t even think the disciples had this kind of faith - but that’s just my opinion.
Verses 11 - 17
Here is an example of Jesus healing someone, raising them from the dead even, without being asked. Likely this woman was a widow, already having lost her husband. Then she loses her only son and is past child bearing age. In that culture she was in danger unless a family member took her in. A single woman could not easily earn money.
Verses 18 - 23
Jesus fulfilled all the things said about the Messiah. "Raised the dead" Isaiah 26:18-19, healing of the blind, deaf, lepers, and lame: Isaiah 35:5, "good news to the poor" Isaiah 61:1
This reveals John’s human side. He had baptized Jesus, had seen heaven open and the Spirit descend like a dove on Him - perhaps he wondered why Jesus brought healing but not judgment, teaching about the kingdom without bringing it in. You know - even if you have an important part in God’s kingdom, it is still only a part. John was curious, and Jesus answered - but it’s important that we don’t demand of God to understand what every little detail is about - just do your part and let God bring about the big picture in His time. John may have, like many Jews, misunderstood the difference between the 1st and 2nd comings of Jesus.
Verses 24 - 35
So, what were you expecting? A reed was a commonplace plant growing by the banks of the Jordan. Calling someone a "reed" meant a person who was of no consequence - easily swayed or dismissed. John was also not a "beautiful person" that should have been in the places of power. He dressed in camel skin and spoke with authority a message of repentance. He was a prophet.
As a prophet, his message should have been taken seriously. It was by some, but not others. He wasn’t a sideshow or a curiosity but ushered in the age of the Messiah. Jesus gives him the greatest place among those born of humans. But even that pales in comparison with those born of the spiritual rebirth Jesus will offer and usher people into His kingdom.
The tax collectors who had heard John, and had been baptized by him to be ready for the Messiah were now ready to receive His message. An evil person who prepares his heart will receive salvation - but note those who had not prepared - the lawyers and Pharisees rejected John’s baptism of preparation and then rejected Jesus.
How open is your heart to the message of the gospel? Do you dismiss it out of hand? Do you think it is the product religious leaders who seek to control weak minds? Do you think it is simply a well meaning fable? Is it just "religion" and has no bearing or relevance on your life personally?
Luke says that they rejected God’s purpose for them. Did you know that God has a purpose for you?
1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. ESV
Verses 31 - 35
The Jews weren’t satisfied with John, who lived an ascetic life and brought a message of fire and brimstone - nor were they satisfied with Jesus, who ate and drank and went to weddings and talked of joy and faith and healing and forgiveness.
What is your reaction when God doesn’t do things the way you want them to be done?
Verses 36 - 38
So here’s an interesting story. Jesus is invited to dinner at Simon, The Pharisee’s house. These dinners were apparently a public affair - and so in comes a woman, probably a known prostitute. Right in front of Simon she kneels down - Jesus’ feet would have stuck out from behind Him as he lay on his elbow at the low table.
She’s brought with her an alabaster jar - very expensive. She would have had to break the top of the jar’s neck off to put the perfume on. Normally the head would be anointed but she can’t even bring herself to touch anything but His feet.
She is so broken up about her sin that she begins to weep, and having nothing to dry the tears, uses her hair. Now look at the reaction of Simon:
Verses 39 - 50
Simon supposes a good rabbi would have nothing to do with a sinner - allowing her to touch him would have made him unclean. Of course, Simon doesn’t know who he is dealing with. When you touch Jesus - he makes the unclean clean!
The Holy Spirit has told Jesus of Simon’s thoughts - or perhaps He just read it on his expression - but He tells this little parable to make a point. Simon had his doctrine down - sin makes you unclean. But his heart was all wrong - God’s desire is to forgive, not condemn and hold yourself away in disdain.
Now, of course, we would never act like Pharisee - would we? But how often do we hold ourselves over those who we consider to be dirty sinners? Do we cloister ourselves into our own Christian bubble so that we avoid contact with anyone in the "world"?
Conclusions
How did these different people approach Jesus and what does it teach us?
1. The Centurion
Recognized his own place, and the authority and power of Jesus
2. The woman with the dead son
She did not reject Jesus but allowed him to approach and touch that which was dead.
3. John the Baptist
Doubted if Jesus was the Messiah, but was told to listen and watch what Jesus said and what He did.
4. Simon the Pharisee
Judged the sinner, held himself aloof, judged Jesus for not rejecting her.
5. The sinful woman
Mourned for her sin, bowed at Jesus feet, gave something precious to show her gratefulness of her forgiveness.
That’s leads to this question - how do you approach Jesus when he comes into your life in situations of turmoil:
The Centurion: when someone close to you or you have a great need - do you demand God help because of all you’ve done for Him? Or do you reach out - realizing that He is in control - He is the Master, you are the servant - that He can move but only if it is His will - and that’s okay with you?
The Widow - when difficult times come, do you receive God’s comfort and presence, or are you revolted and bitter against God - "how could He let this happen?"
John’s Disciples - what happens when doubt creeps in? Do you just chuck Christianity as just a phase or a failed religion? Or do you really pay attention to what Jesus said and did - renewing your faith?
Simon the Pharisee - when you encounter sin and sinful people - are you afraid, judgmental, aloof? Or do you embrace the sinner and share with them the promise of freedom and new life? Don’t get caught in the Christian bubble.
The Sinful Woman - what is your reaction before the Savior when you realize you have sinned? Do you run as far away from God as you can get - or do you draw close, show a repentant and humble heart, then bow at His feet in worship?
So here’s the final question: which is better - to have Jesus solve your problem or be with you through it?
Eventually we will all approach Jesus - either at the Bema seat of Christ for obtain rewards for what He did through us, or as a judge at the Great White Throne Judgment. If you reject Him, how will you approach Him then?
For more Bible studies, visit our website at: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org
