Luke 5:17-26

In 1967, The Beatles sang “With a Little Help from my Friends” on their Sergeant Pepper’s album. Some of the lyrics may be questionable but they did tell a truth that when we go through times of struggle, we all need help to get through. If we try to navigate life on our own, we will fall short of what can be done with the involvement of others. Church is such a great place to receive that support. Someone who has a disability cannot get by in life without help. First of all, the parents take responsibility for a disabled child but at some point others have to step in. The more the disability, the more help is needed. It takes a lot of love to sacrifice your own life for the benefit of another. Elevate Christian Disability Trust is one such ministry in New Zealand that does that. Today we’re going to read the story of the paralytic who had help from his friends to get to Jesus to be healed and was doubly blessed to receive something even better – the forgiveness of his sins. Many people have a disability of some kind but all of us need the forgiveness of our sins so we can all relate to this story. Let’s read Luke 5:17-26.

Luke 5:17

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

We know from Mark 2 that this miracle occurred in Capernaum. I’m sure we have all been at meetings where the power of the Lord is present. Things begin to happen in the congregation, faith increases, fear can increase, that’s not a bad thing, joy and worship increase. People react in different and sometimes unexpected ways. It is good to prepare your heart for the presence of the Lord at church on a Sunday morning. How many times do we come to Church and just expect what happened last week.

Luke 5:18-20

Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

We assume these people were his long-term friends. They may have just been people who wanted to help him, in the moment, nevertheless they acted as true friends. Their faith had increased at the presence of the Lord. They wanted to see Jesus heal their friend. What good friends these were! Do you know someone in your life who helped you come to Jesus? Now is a good time to remember that person and thank God for them. The truth is more than that, those people came into your life because God sent them, even if they didn’t know it. These friends went to extraordinary lengths, even taking a risk to help the man. The whole ceiling could have collapsed couldn’t it! But when Jesus saw their faith, he was moved to do something that they probably didn’t expect for this man’s friends were asking for healing not forgiveness of sins. Jesus forgave the man’s sins. It is good for us to ask for forgiveness for our sins. It opens the door to healing.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are to confess our sins. Rather, the first need the man had was the forgiveness of his sins. We ask God to fix an issue in our lives, to heal us, sometimes he will identify a different issue to what we are asking for. In this case, the man’s sins needed to be forgiven before he was healed. The healing was proof that his sins had been forgiven. As we saw with the leper, and the illustration of sin being like leprosy, healing and cleansing are linked.

Luke 5:21-22

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

This triggered a negative reaction from the Pharisees. The presence of the Lord doesn’t necessarily bring out the best in people. The presence of the Lord reveals the truth. Sometimes it reveals an underlying hostility. Jesus perceived their thoughts.

Hebrews 4:12-13  

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 

Jesus is the Word of God. He knows our thoughts. It doesn’t matter what we say, it’s what’s in our heart and mind that counts. That is why we need to examine ourselves to see if our proclaimed faith squares off. Are our lips in alignment with our heart.

Luke 5:23-25

Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 

The healings that Jesus does prove that he has the power to forgive sins. No other person has the power to do that, his forgiveness trumps all, even if others refuse to forgive you, even when you think the past can’t be fixed. What do you think this man gloirified God for? It wasn’t only because he could walk but that his sins were forgiven, he had been set free forever. It was a glorious day for him.

Psalm 32:1 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Luke 5:26

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

Now it does say they were all amazed. So that would have included his critics just before. Even the Pharisees were amazed. It is a very hardened heart that would reject the goodness of God to forgive and heal. It is normal to feel happy for the person who has been forgiven and healed, that is the way we should react. When the Lord is moving we will see strange things, things that can make us afraid. Afraid of being out of control, afraid of the unknown, afraid at the power of God. That’s normal. Jesus often told his disciples « don’t be afraid » When we’re afraid it is a good thing to worship the Lord like these people did! Because the Lord is good and merciful and has compassion on those who fear him.Jesus is passing by and how we respond matters.

I know that not everyone gets healed, that’s the reality of our fallen world. I’ve been at meetings where some people who had great faith came forward for prayer but went home in the same condition while others were healed.  We can’t know why some get healed and others don’t, it’s God’s sovereign will. In closing I was reminded of the story in 2nd Samuel 9 of Mephibosheth who was the grandson of King Saul and son of David’s best friend Jonathan. Mephibosheth was disabled being lame in both feet and was afraid after Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle that David would execute him because he was from the house of Saul. But David instead showed mercy because of his love for Jonathan and instead told him in 

2 Samuel 9:7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” 

Mephibosheth wasn’t healed of his lameness but he had something better – he would eat at the King’s table forever. That is a picture of the grace of God, who rather than execute judgement on us, forgives us our sins because of our faith in Jesus and allows us to eat at his table forever. And that is the very best thing we could ever hope for.

Luke 5:12-16

When you buy an iPhone, you can’t wait to start using it. But before you can, you have to follow a setup process, which involves a few choices. You also have to agree to Apple’s terms and conditions of use. The terms and conditions are a lengthy list but does anyone actually read them before proceeding to the next step. Show of hands please. No one is bothered with that; they just want to start using their iPhone! 

But there are a few people who take your agreement very seriously, the owners of Apple and their lawyers of course.

That is the way it is with our life on earth too. God is the owner of life, and he proclaimed the laws for living and his terms and conditions should also be taken seriously. But the general public, don’t pay any attention, they rush to start using what God has provided and don’t bother with the details of the agreement.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

When it comes to our own personal health and safety or of someone we love, then we do take the law seriously. If someone is breaking the law and it affects us, we naturally want to see the full weight of the law come down on the offender.

The passage we are going to study today is from Luke 5:12-16 concerning a man with leprosy. Leprosy is a very serious condition that disfigures and rots the body. Leprosy is primarily transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated individual, specifically during prolonged, close contact. So, it is contagious under those circumstances.

Leprosy completely ostracises someone from their family and community. In Jesus day, the situation was even worse. The law of Leviticus 14 was interpreted to mean that leprosy is a curse from God and so not only was the person isolated socially but also gave a feeling of complete spiritual isolation, even damnation. Can anyone think of any health conditions which isolate people from Church life today. We actually saw this from some Churches during the COVID years, but this is not the only example.

Before we read from Luke, I thought we should read Leviticus 14 concerning the laws around leprosy. I hope you don’t mind as it is a lengthy detailed passage, it’s to give you an idea of what is required under God’s law so you would appreciate how much freedom we have today. If you were a religious person back then before the Cross, the way you may have thought about someone in your family or community with leprosy could easily lack grace.

Leviticus 14:1-4

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. And the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall examine him; and indeed, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.

Notice there are two distinct parts - the healing and the cleansing. The healing is physical. The cleansing is to do with restoration to man and God; it is both social and spiritual.

Leviticus 14:5-13

Notice the sprinkling of the water had to be done 7 times. Later in the Bible, the prophet Elisha told Naaman the Syrian to go and bath in the Jordan 7 times to be cleansed of his leprosy. Naaman was not happy about it but was finally as persuaded and obeyed and was healed.

More importantly to us today, 1 John 5:6  tells us 

“This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

Just as water and blood cleansed the leper from leprosy, so Jesus’s blood and water at the Cross cleanses us from sin. 

Leviticus 14:5-13

“And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and one log of oil. Then the priest who makes him clean shall present the man who is to be made clean, and those things, before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And the priest shall take one male lamb and offer it as a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. Then he shall kill the lamb in the place where he kills the sin offering and the burnt offering, in a holy place; for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy.

Thanks to the Cross, we can now easily understand that leprosy represents sin, and Jesus is the Lamb of God whose offering for our sins is most holy.

Leviticus 14:14-18

The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. Then the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord. And of the rest of the oil in his hand, the priest shall put some on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the trespass offering. The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord.

The oil represents the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is to cleanse and sanctify us from sin. For a lot of us that will take a lifetime, but we do expect to see growing freedom from sin in every true Christian as a sign of the Holy Spirit and the fact that the person is a new creation in Christ.

Leviticus 14:19-24

“Then the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed from his uncleanness. Afterward he shall kill the burnt offering. And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean. “But if he is poor and cannot afford it, then he shall take one male lamb as a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, a log of oil, and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford: one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. He shall bring them to the priest on the eighth day for his cleansing, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, before the Lord. And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. 

Galatians 3:26-29 tells us

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Isn’t that Good News? We have all been made clean in Christ. His sacrifice is for all both rich and poor.

Leviticus 14:25-29

Then he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. And the priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand. Then the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the Lord. And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering. The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

We can easily understand that the oil who is the Holy Spirit who marks and seals us for salvation the moment we trust in Jesus. Jesus gives freely our healing and cleansing from sin when we ask.

Leviticus 14:30-32

And he shall offer one of the turtledoves or young pigeons, such as he can afford— such as he is able to afford, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, with the grain offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before the Lord. This is the law for one who had a leprous sore, who cannot afford the usual cleansing.”

Notice again how the Lord makes provision for both rich and poor, the Grace of God is available to all through Jesus.

Leviticus 14:33-38

And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession, and he who owns the house comes and tells the priest, saying, ‘It seems to me that there is some plague in the house,’ then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes into it to examine the plague, that all that is in the house may not be made unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to examine the house. And he shall examine the plague; and indeed if the plague is on the walls of the house with ingrained streaks, greenish or reddish, which appear to be deep in the wall, then the priest shall go out of the house, to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days.

There is no escaping the wages of sin., the judgement of Death has been pronounced by God.

Leviticus 14:39-42

And the priest shall come again on the seventh day and look; and indeed if the plague has spread on the walls of the house, then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which is the plague, and they shall cast them into an unclean place outside the city. And he shall cause the house to be scraped inside, all around, and the dust that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place outside the city. Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones, and he shall take other mortar and plaster the house.

Jesus didn’t die on the Cross to plaster over the cracks of our sin. He does a complete rebuild with new stones and new plaster.

Leviticus 14:43-47

“Now if the plague comes back and breaks out in the house, after he has taken away the stones, after he has scraped the house, and after it is plastered, then the priest shall come and look; and indeed if the plague has spread in the house, it is an active leprosy in the house. It is unclean. And he shall break down the house, its stones, its timber, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them outside the city to an unclean place. Moreover he who goes into the house at all while it is shut up shall be unclean until evening. And he who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes, and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes. 

Jesus gave a stern warning about evil coming back into a person’s life. Matthew 12:43-45 says

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Leviticus 14:48-53

“But if the priest comes in and examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. And he shall take, to cleanse the house, two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. Then he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water; and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird, with the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet. Then he shall let the living bird loose outside the city in the open field, and make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean.

I would add one other thought here regarding the sprinkling of the house with water 7 times. Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 70 x 7 and 1 John 1:9 says 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

So the Lord is very gracious to the repentant heart. Sometimes a sin does return to a house in the next generation and so the cleansing needs to be repeated but the Lord will always forgive and cleanse the repentant sinner.

Leviticus 14:54-57

“This is the law for any leprous sore and scale, for the leprosy of a garment and of a house, for a swelling and a scab and a bright spot, to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.”

Aren’t you glad we live in the age after the Cross. Did you follow all of that. I bet you would never have read the terms and conditions for leprosy. Because you think, that would never happen to me! I just want to get on with life. Until the day you caught leprosy. Then the terms and conditions come into full affect. It would cost you your hair as you had to shave it off, your finances or something else you could exchange to pay the price of the offering, and your house if you owned one. Has this really changed for people living today who have developed a serious health condition. No, there are businesses out there who cash in big time on people’s health conditions.

And what if you weren’t healed. What would that say about you spiritually? Catching leprosy was virtually a death sentence from society because very few get better. So, from this law of leprosy, a very harsh judgmental view had developed in Jesus’s day which was out of step with the love and mercy of the Lord.

Luke 5:12-13

And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.

Notice that the man asked Jesus to be cleansed (rather than just healed). Jesus both healed him and cleansed him.

The Leviticus law was to say that a trespass and sin and burnt offering needed to be made by a priest so that God would cleanse the leper. The priest would make the offering but only God can ultimately grant the cleansing. Therefore this leper is appealing to God and Jesus cleansed him of his leprosy. Jesus is both man and God. He made the trespass and sin and burnt offering on the Cross and we are cleansed of our leprosy caused by our sin, which cuts us off from both man and God. Isn’t that true. When someone sins, they lose so much, even everything. Some end up alone, or destitute or even very ill. Because the wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life and by his stripes we are healed, praise God for his love and mercy.

Luke 5:14-16

And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

There was no real need for the man to go to the priest to make an offering because the man was already healed and cleansed. But Jesus told him to do that as a testimony to them so that the man could be restored to his Community as well as to God and so that they would understand who Jesus really is.

If we only receive the healing and not the cleansing, we only receive half the miracle. There is power in our testimony. It is part of the whole healing and cleansing.

Because the Lord is the owner of life and he can heal and cleanse you from sin today!

Luke 5:1-11

 It’s been really hot in Vannes this week, above 30°. At those sorts of temperatures, even our apartment which is made from stone gets quite warm. 

Josh is with us and has been completing some important jobs including painting the apartment and doing some demolition work in preparation for the kitchen which is ordered for installation in September. The week has had its trials with the toilet infeed pipe breaking and flooding the bathroom, quite stressful but Josh was able to find a new and better replacement connection, so we thanked the Lord he was with us when that happened.

Very nearby to us though is Lac Étang au Duc, a peaceful place to go and walk or sit. A breeze blows across the lake, and in the shade of the trees, it’s a very pleasant place to be on a hot summers day. We were astonished to see a creature a little bit bigger than a cat that looked like a beaver sitting cleaning itself on a rock. Mhairi found it was in fact a muskrat. Also in the lake are many different types of fish including rainbow trout and pike as well as eels. You can fish there but we haven’t seen anyone doing that, the fishing is better in the Golfe de Morbihan. And if there are other people talking on the other side of the lake, their voices are magnified across the water.

I hope you enjoyed Matariki holiday last weekend. Today we will continue our series at the point where Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. If you remember last time, Jesus had been in Capernaum preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. He had said that he needed to move on from Capernaum around Galilee « to preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. » The disciple Peter’s family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during this early period of Jesus’ ministry, Peter was known as Simon and living in Capernaum where he and his brother Andrew were in partnership with two other fishermen, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist so he heard John preaching to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. And last time you will remember that Simon had witnessed Jesus heal his Mother-in-law of a fever. Simon would have already been interested in what Jesus was saying and doing as many others were. He was probably one of those who didn’t want Jesus to leave Capernaum. But Simon’s life was changing, and he would not be the same person anymore. Even his name would be changed to Peter!

Luke 5:1-3

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Can I borrow your boat? It started off something small, but did Simon realise what he was letting himself in for. That’s the way things often start with the Lord. He wants to see if we are willing to help, to go out of our normal way. I’m sure that after a long night's fishing, Simon was ready to rest for the day, but the Lord asked Simon to take him out a little way from the land. That required an extra effort, some overtime, one last push for the day. Simon said YES. He was available to do what the Lord asked him to. It was a sliding doors moment. Jesus went out to speak to the multitudes in Simon’s boat on the water. Sound travels very well on water. Sound moves at a faster speed in water (1500 meters/sec) than in air (about 340 meters/sec) because the mechanical properties of water differ from air. Temperature also affects the speed of sound (e.g. sound travels faster in warm water than in cold water). So, Jesus speaking using the natural amplification of the water could be heard very clearly by the multitudes. They were so interested to hear what he had to say, things that they had not heard from the other teachers in the synagogue. Not new things but a clear explanation of the Word of God. It is easy for a teacher to say what a crowd wants to hear but Jesus didn’t teach like that. He often said challenging, difficult things but the people were amazed. Yes, many on the crowd were there for the miracles only but many were there with their ears open, ready to learn.

Luke 5:4-5

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Jesus told Simon to go further out into the deep and let down his nets there. Literally go to the deep end. We don’t know if Simon was afraid to go out there that late in the day. He just seemed to think it was a waste of time.

Experienced fisherman know the best places to go and at the best time of day. When you’ve been doing something for a very long time, you gain the experience of what to expect in any situation. Red at night, shepherd’s delight, red in the morning shepherd’s warning. Often, we settle into a life where we know what to expect. We get comfortable. Sometimes we get a surprise that shakes our world. So, you’re going to be taken by surprise when things suddenly change and you’re most likely not going to be prepared for it.

Luke 5:6-9

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;

When they listened and obeyed what Jesus said they got a big surprise. The net was so full of fish it was breaking, and they immediately needed help to haul in the catch.

Simon realized what a miracle this was and was astonished. At the same time, in the light of the holiness of Jesus, Simon was suddenly confronted with his own weaknesses and shortcomings. What he thought he knew, he didn’t. He was shaken. It was terrifying to be out of control. He had no experience in managing such a large catch. He had to quickly adapt to the new situation. He did what he knew. He called on his fishing partners to help him. I think the miracle was personal for Simon. Jesus reached Simon with something that would be meaningful for a fisherman. the new situation called for a complete change of his life not a makeover.

Luke 5:10-11

and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

The Lord’s plans are much greater than we think. And see they had to forsake all to follow him. They would not be able to continue to live the same old life as before. There was no other way of taking on the new life than to get rid of the old life entirely. That has been Jesus’s call to many people down through the ages. You can’t make both things work, leave your nets and follow me! We all have our safety nets. Could be a relationship. Could be money. Could be a job. Could be our ability to think on our feet. But Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow him. Will we trust in ourselves or will we trust in Jesus. It’s as simple as that.

Life can change in a flash; there is no time for hesitating when Jesus calls you. Don’t miss the boat.

Here in Europe, they are worried about many things. About the economy, about their finances, about their health and now about World War III. People know the politicians don’t have the answer. There are many voices claiming they know the right way. But the Lord says to all of us, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to him” and “Leave your nets and follow me”.

There are more people willing to listen now than ever. If 100 extra people turned up at PCC on Sunday because Russia invaded Israel and World War III looked like it was going to break out in the Middle East, and then the Lord destroyed the Russian Army on the Mountains of Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel 38, we probably would not have enough Communion Juice and Coffee for morning tea let alone be ready to run evening services, kids and youth, home groups to teach them about End Times ! The real question is, would we be able to change tack, to use a boating term. Or would we say, sorry we’re just not geared up for this!

Luke 4:31-44

Sunday’s in Vannes are quiet except for the sound of Church bells. It’s quite a contrast to Saturday which is Market Day, the day for Rugby and Football matches and people staying up late on Saturday night at the many restaurants and bars in the town.

People don’t get up until quite late on Sunday morning, so the roads are quiet. 

Almost all shops are closed except the supermarkets which close at lunchtime. 

Sundays are always a proper rest day and family day. Do you remember when New Zealand was like that once upon a time?

I wonder how many people in Vannes appreciate or even know the meaning of Pentecost and the reason for a national holiday on Monday? It’s a hangover from when France was a Christian country even if most people aren’t aware of it. France has got this right and hopefully they will never go down the path New Zealand took. Peace and quiet on the Sabbath is part of God’s plan for us. These are the good days to worship the Lord.

Today we’re going to look at the next passage in our series from Luke 4:31-44 and consider one of the positive attributes of living in God’s Kingdom which contrasts starkly with our World today – Peace.

I came across this passage this week which speaks of The Peace of God’s Reign.

Isaiah 32:16-20

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.

Righteousness brings peace, quietness and assurance but is righteousness reigning in New Zealand today? Not by God’s standards that’s for sure. If we asked a man in the street if he would even want to see righteousness reigning in New Zealand, what do you think his response would be?

A song we like to sing at PCC « Shout to the Lord » is based on the following verses in Psalm 98:4-9.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.

The Psalm says make a joyful noise to the Lord – shouting joyfully, singing, trumpets, horns, roaring, clapping. It is normal to make a noise when you are happy. So I don’t think a Church service should be like a library. It’s ok to make a noise but note it has to be joyful and it has to be to the Lord! I thought about Rock Music, it’s often very loud, and in some cases, plainly just a cacophony of guitar, drums and wailing. I could be proved wrong but I don’t think it’s possible to have Christian Heavy Metal. 

This verse tells us that the seas roar, that the rivers clap their hands, the hills be joyful. Nature can be very beautiful even when it is loud. Musicians love to crank up the volume but when there is loud noise in a Church service, it needs to be;

• In order
• In harmony - the drummer can’t be doing their own thing
• Joyful
• To the Lord and not drawing attention to themselves.

Note one more thing in this Psalm. The Lord will judge the World with righteousness. And that righteousness will bring peace, quietness and assurance as we have already read earlier.

Luke 4:31-32

Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 

Following his rejection by his home town of Nazareth, Jesus took his ministry teaching to Capernaum, about a day’s walk away and began teaching there on the Sabbaths. Sabbaths were quiet with no distractions so a very good day to listen to the Lord. And when we really listen, we also can be astonished at what the Bible says. Things that we had not considered before. The Word of God is very deep if we make time to listen. A good preacher speaks with authority, with confidence and clarity because the Holy Spirit brings to mind scriptures as they speak. It’s exciting to hear truth revealed !

Luke 4:33-37

Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

The man in the Capernaum synagogue had the spirit of an unclean demon and the demon was trying to disrupt the service with a loud voice. It exclaimed Jesus as the Son of God but it was very disturbing to the congregation. Jesus told the demon to be quiet. It was out of order and Jesus cast it out of the man. 

Demons try to distract people from the Lord by making a noise and doing things out of order, creating a disturbance. When this happens during a church service as it did here in this passage, it is a deliberate attempt to prevent the people listening to the Lord. Distractions can come whenever we pick up the Bible to read it as well. The Devil hates us to hear from the Lord. Resistance through gathering together and through prayer will beat the Devil. It is disturbing to think there are people in church who have brought demons in with them but it was very common in Jesus’s day and do we think it’s any different today. It may be much worse. 

How does that happen? There are many ways that a demon can enter someone and make them unclean. Through idol worship, through the occult, through drugs, through sexual sin, through unforgiveness that leads to hatred, even the love of money. Our eyes, our ears, our mouths even our heart are all doors so we need to guard what we let in. Every day we need to have our spiritual armour on, without it we are vulnerable because of our own weakness and the Devil is a roaring lion on the prowl on the lookout for the weak to prey on. What are we watching and listening to or tasting. It’s a serious question to ask what or who is the origin. There are people making music today that cast spells on their songs to bring them success. Be careful!

However, the good news is that as we can see here, a demon cannot continue to occupy a person in the presence of Jesus. Our prayer for every PCC service is that Jesus by the Holy Spirit is present to drive out evil. Come Holy Spirit!

 

See how excited the people were when the demon was cast out of the man. The good news travelled fast at what had happened. This is part of the Gospel, that Jesus has victory over the Devil. There is peace and security in the presence of Jesus. He is our righteousness that brings peace. 

Luke 4:38-39

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

How we get physically sick is by bugs entering our bodies through our eyes, ears, mouth, any orifice to put it crudely. We know this from modern medicine. It is the exactly the same with spiritual sickness.

Jesus has authority over the bugs as well as the demons. When Jesus commanded the fever to leave Peter’s mother-in-law, immediately it did. Jesus has all authority not just spiritual authority. The Church must preach the full gospel. That’s why we pray for anyone who asks because Jesus has authority over both the physical and spiritual realms.

Luke 4:40-44

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

The next day after ministering to the crowds, Jesus headed for a deserted place, somewhere quiet. After ministering to people, you too will find you need time to rest and recuperate. Everyone in ministry needs to do that. It’s the same with our jobs. If we’re not taking rest on Sundays, we’ll soon burn out. As a nation, New Zealand is risking the health of it’s people by being open 24/7.

Finally, Jesus had to keep moving on from Capernaum to preach to the other cities as well because that was what the Father had asked him to do. Sometimes a congregation can get so comfortable with a good preacher. It’s human nature to do that. We don’t like change when things are going well as it was in Capernaum. I’m sure there were many people who questioned why Jesus was leaving. Why leave now when the ministry is going well and people are coming to to the Lord. No one wants a good thing to end. But the Lord wants to reach people in other places that haven’t heard his message. The mantle would be handed to those who had received his message in Capernaum and were called to carry it on there. The Lord is always looking for faithful people in a town to carry on the work that he started there.

It’s very easy to get comfortable listening to a good preacher, but the Lord wants us to practically apply the teaching in our lives. 

James 1:22-25

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

They reckon that one of the best ways to learn is to teach others. That is especially true with the help of the Holy Spirit who the Jesus promised leads into all truth. In fact, when Jesus left the Earth, he said it was a good thing that he was going away because then the Holy Spirit would come. So, when the Lord entrusts us to carry on his message, he doesn’t leave us on our own, he sends the Holy Spirit. That is what Pentecost is all about and why it should be celebrated.

John 16:5-15

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

It was natural that the disciples felt sad that Jesus was going away, just like the people of Capernaum were sad at him moving on to preach in other cities.

But Jesus sends us his Holy Spirit to help us. He doesn’t come to condemn but to convict the World of it’s sin. God is very gracious, he wants us to feel shame at our sin and to change our ways. He wants us to be convinced of his ways, of walking in righteousness which brings peace. He wants us to realise that judgement is coming if we will not repent. His conviction is to help us turn away from the path that leads to Hell. We don’t’ have to go there, where there is noise and no peace. 

Jesus has a lot more he wants to tell us than we may be ready for now. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. That’s exciting!  All we have to do is keep a humble heart and our ears open. There are many opposing voices in our World today but there is only one voice that we really need to listen to. 

Luke 9:35

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Luke 4:14-30

 

Today we’re going to start to cover the period between when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert and his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew, the description of events is quite briefly covered in 14 verses, but Luke gives more detail.

Luke 4:14-15

Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Jesus came out of the desert after his victory over Satan, in the power of the Holy Spirit and the crowds soon began to build listening to his message to repent just as John had preached. 

Luke 4:16-22

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord .” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Jesus makes an announcement about his ministry from Isaiah. His ministry would be to the least in the society, to heal them, to set them free. That would mean people who could not repay him, who would not be able to support a comfortable lifestyle for Jesus. That would mean going to places that were poor, without many comforts like hot water and a warm place to sleep. 

With the benefit of hindsight, we know there was both a physical and a spiritual dimension to what Jesus was saying. His audience may not have understood both sides. The physically blind would be able to see, the spiritually blind would also be able to see. Churches today need to operate in both the physical and spiritual. Operating in only one dimension is not the full ministry of Jesus. Jesus has been given full authority and he has charged us with going out in his name.

So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

They expected Jesus to be just like Joseph who they knew. In Australia and New Zealand, we have tall poppy syndrome. It describe those who deliberately criticise other people for their success and achievements. They want to bring people back to their level. They don’t want people to get too big for their boots so they try to bring them down a notch or two with their criticism. They preferred Jesus to remain a carpenter, they did not want someone showing them up by doing amazing work for the Lord. Helping the poor would make them feel guilty for not.

But everywhere Jesus went, crowds were building at his message and his miracles, except in Nazareth, his home town. Remember Nazareth was a very poor town. It was exactly the sort of town which fit the ministry of Jesus but the people of Nazareth, those he’d grown up with, on the whole rejected his message. What an opportunity they missed ! 

People who have grown up with us and know us well think they have us all worked out. When we start down a different road to their expectations, they can become suspicious and critical. Everyone from Nazareth expected Jesus to be just like his father Joseph, be a carpenter and follow in his footsteps. But God the Father had called Jesus to ministry and had a different future planned for him. It can be very difficult for those who know us to deal with this. It challenges their comfort in being in control.

Luke 4:23-24

He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ” Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.

The statement “no prophet is accepted in his own country” is one every believer should take to heart. We might wonder how his family, friends and neighbours rejected Jesus but overlook how our familiarity with a brother or sister in Christ might be breeding contempt in our own hearts. Do we presume to know another Christian so well that we can’t hear God’s message in his words or recognize God’s presence in his ministry? Are we rejecting the very servant God has sent to do a mighty work in our lives? Are we limiting God’s plan because of our unbelief?

Mark’s record of this same incident says, 

Mark 6:5

“Now he could do no mighty work there except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them” 

Imagine how sad and disappointed Jesus must have felt to find so little faith among His closest loved ones and he couldn’t help them because of their unbelief.

Luke 4:25-30

But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

Jesus gives them an early indication that God was overlooking them in favour of people who weren’t Jews, who were Old Testament figures like Naaman from Syria and the widow from Zarephath is in Sidon, were despised Gentiles. 

It says that all those in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath. It was basic jealousy at the thought of losing love to someone else. Religious people can be just as bad at being jealous, sometimes worse because they have the belief that they are the chosen ones. But God loves the World.  Love is not jealous. The second child does not diminish the love the parent has for the first. 

Would we be offended today if Jesus overlooked us Christians in favour of people, we consider to be outside God’s Kingdom? I’m sure many would be offended! We are going to see many people come to Christ who we wouldn’t expect in these last days. They may be the immoral, the atheist, the people of another religion and God may do this without doing the same miracles in the recognised Churches.

However, me mustn’t get offended by God working like this. We should not be offended if people outside of the Church receive miracles from Jesus. Instead, we should rejoice that others are being brought into God’s Kingdom. We need to keep generosity in our hearts. These people will come onto the Churches, and they won’t yet have their lives sorted out in the way we expect. It doesn’t mean we change our doctrine, it just means we need to be generous with grace especially in the early days of them becoming believers. I look at Russell Brand and I know he still has beliefs that are not yet fully aligned with our expectations, yet I see someone who has been changed and truly believes in Jesus. We must be generous, patient and kind. In the end, we need changing too!

I found myself reflecting on this paradox. God is a jealous God. He wants our love, and he doesn’t want us to share our love with idols. Love is devoted like that. You can’t have a happy marriage with a third person in the marriage as Princess Diana so aptly put. We have been made in the image of God, so we also have the capacity for jealousy. But 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is not jealous. 

There are different types of love. The love a parent has for their child is different to the love a husband has for his wife. But both types of love are very fierce and that’s where the problem arises and why jealousy can be provoked.

Why was Jesus going to the Gentiles and not to the Jews? The Israelites had not loved God in return to the same way he loved them. They had found other lovers. It seems to me that lines can be crossed in love. It does say in Romans about the Jews. 

Romans 11:11-12

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

The love of God has an end game in sight. His love never fails. He wants the Jews back. But he loves the whole world. He wants us all back.

When we find ourselves provoked to jealousy, it’s a signal that something needs to change. Because love is not jealous.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Cain was provoked to kill Abel because he was jealous that God had accepted Abel’s offering and not his. The people of Nazareth, his hometown, would have thrown Jesus off the cliff because of their jealousy that God would favour another race over them. The closest of relationships can be provoked to anger by jealousy. But that’s not the final end game. God is trying to make the Jews jealous so they will come back to him by giving salvation to the stupid Gentiles who live wild and undeserving lives. This is because God loves his whole family not just the eldest. 

That’s why God anointed his Son to preach the gospel to the poor; To heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed. Has the ministry of Jesus changed 2000 years later? This might be an uncomfortable question for our Churches today. 

Luke 4: 1-13

 

Let's go back to the start of Jesus' ministry and examine what happened from the time he was baptised by John to right after.

What a moment in Jesus' life when John declared who Jesus was and God spoke from heaven! Wouldn't that make you feel good to know there was a great purpose for your life acknowledged by some words of encouragement from man and from the Lord in heaven above? Starting out on a journey begins with a sense of purpose. 

Then comes chapter 4 which starts with the temptation of Jesus. Note how the baptism preceded testing. Suddenly instead of the great vision you have for your future and God's clear movement in your life, you find yourself in the wilderness with nothing but the Lord's promise to keep you going. You're hungry and facing temptation to give in and quit or worse... 

Luke 4:1-2 

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness which is Satan’s domain. This echoed exactly what had happened to Moses and the Israelites when they were led into the desert by God right after all those great miracles. They had been mightily delivered from Egypt and were now going to the Promised Land in a hurry! But when they realised it wasn't going to work out as they had imagined, it wasn't too long before the rumbling of complaints started.

Jesus had fasted for 40 days and being severely weakened, found himself in a great spiritual battle with the Devil himself. What a terrible predicament to be in. 

Satan sure knows how to pick his moments. There would be 3 great temptations – 3 tactical traps that would have spelled indescribable disaser if Jesus failed to overcome them. Where do you go when you have nothing left to give, when all your strength is gone and the thoughts you're having are overwhelming you? You hear that voice saying it would be so much easier to give in even though you know in your heart the disaster that would follow. More than that, this moment in Jesus' life was more important than the immediate. It was preparation for an even Greater Battle ahead at the Cross. God will never allow trials and temptations to come into your life without a greater purpose in mind. And he will give you the deeper strength you need to win the struggle in those moments.

Luke 4:3-4

And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

The first thing to notice here is Jesus did not enter into a conversation with the Devil. He gives a short, sharp response instead. Too many people are allowing the Devil to have a conversation with them, a back and forth. No, this is not the way to deal with the Devil. One short response from Scripture is enough. This is why you must learn Scripture! 

The 1st Temptation was to turn stones to bread so that Jesus could eat and satisfy his hunger. What was the trap in this? It was a seemingly innocuous question from Satan, but Jesus spotted the danger immediately. Jesus recognised he was hungry like Esau was. Esau had given away his inheritance for some soup and bread. Jesus responded to Satan from Deuteronomy 8:2-3.

Satan's way of trying to trick Jesus had 3 strategies.

– Cast doubt with the words “If you really are God’s Son”. Jesus had heard God's voice at his baptism and he didn't forget those wonderful words. Maybe you need to remind yourself of those great moments in your life when you heard God speak to you. Never forget them! 

– Try to get Jesus to disobey what the Holy Spirit had asked Jesus to do. It was the Holy Spirit who had asked Jesus to fast and Jesus was waiting for the all clear from him. It is only following after the Holy Spirit that will give us life. Following our own nature leads to death.

– To cause Jesus to be discontentment with God’s provision. Remember God will always provide what you need which might be less than you think. You can trust him with less. You don't live on bread alone.

It can be a frightening moment when temptation first arrives in your life. Satan was doing everything he could to keep Jesus in the desert. But there is an opportunity in every temptation to “turn the tables” on Satan. You can frighten him off by making him realise you're going to grow by overcoming what you are facing. Don't be scared of him. Make him scared of you!

Since Jesus had overcome the 1st temptation he would have strength at the Cross when he heard the words from the crowd “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God”. He did not need to prove he was God's Son. He could remember his Father's beautiful words at his baptism and he also knew he could overcome Satan even in his weakest moment by remembering the Wilderness.

Luke 4:5-8

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

The 2nd temptation was a deal with Satan. Jesus was promised the World in exchange for his worship and loyalty. Oh boy we know this trap, you'd think there would be no way anyone would fall for this. When we were kids, we never thought we would face trouble like that. It would be easy to go the right way! But every day teenagers and adults come to this same crossroads in their life and the promise of power, wealth, fame or happiness lures them down the wrong road. 

If you are standing at the crossroads in your life remind yourself what to do from Jeremiah 6:16. Satan’s Shortcut to obtaining the Kingdoms of the World is the high road to nowhere. It comes with a diabolical condition and a heavy price. “The Wages of Sin is Death!”…always. The Father’s way for Jesus was the Cross…the low road. There is no other way to tell you that this is difficult and involves suffering. Yet it is only for a short time, you'll get through. The first step down the right road is the hardest, once you start you can't even turn and look behind you in the narrow way. Yet the way gets brighter as you go. The other way gets darker. Jesus chose God’s Way and won his battle. Jesus resisted and the Devil went away a while. Finally there was peace and quiet and the trial was over.

At the Cross, Pilate tried to limit Jesus to being the King of the Jews. “So you are the King of Israel are you?” Satan mocked. But with his last breath, Jesus earned the right to be the King of Kings. That's where he sits now.

Luke 4:9-12

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

The 3rd and final Temptation was to Jump. What was the trap? Satan actually misquoted Psalm 91:11-12. I don't believe you'll ever hear a truthful word from Satan. He is the father of lies and can't bear to tell the truth. He will always pervert what God has said. The passage Satan quoted can not be applied to jumping off tall buildings! That is indeed foolish. God sends his angels to protect you from stumbling on your journey so that you won't fall and cut, bruise yourself or break a bone but he may not help you if you do something reckless. He does care for you so don't learn the hard way. Make sure you know not only what God has said, but what he means. Think carefully on his words and put them in context. Be wise.

Jesus referred Satan to Deuteronomy 6:16 and Exodus 17:7. Massah means “tempting Jehovah to slay us”. Why did the Israelites even ask “Is God going to take care of us or not?”. After all even in the desert, they had manna from heaven every day, a cloud to lead them during the day and a pillar of fire at night. It was very clear that God was looking after them so why were they complaining? God does want us to ask him for our daily needs and they needed water, but what he hated was the moaning and questioning of his love that he got instead. I'm sure all parents and anyone who tries to lead can understand where God was coming from! How they were testing his patience!

Instead of complaining, ask your Heavenly Father for your daily needs and trust his provision. In God’s timing, the angels came and cared for Jesus. God will send you strength when you most need it. He loves you.

At the Cross, the religious leaders shouted “Come down from the cross and we’ll believe you”. They mocked Jesus and told him to jump. Quit they screamed at Jesus. “Let God show his approval by delivering you”. Don't let the Devil trick you to jump when you are so close to victory. Keep waiting, angels are coming.

In conclusion, 

In order to win your Battle, learn from Jesus;

• Jesus went where the Holy Spirit led him
• Jesus fasted for 40 days and was prepared. Your enemy is tough so get ready... Ephesians 6:13-17
• Jesus never doubted his relationship with the Father
• Jesus knew the Word of God
• Jesus overcame by obedience to the Word of God
• Jesus knew his life purpose and calling
• Jesus chose the low road…the Father’s Way

Luke 4:13

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

It says the Devil went away until an opportune time. We have to realise this is a lifelong battle that we’re in. He’ll try again when we’re vulnerable. But because Jesus finally defeated the Devil at the Cross, we can have his victory too. We are not fighting this battle alone as Jesus had to. He is with us and promises to always provide a way of escape. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

For believers, God’s rescue plan is the person of Jesus Christ. He understands our weaknesses and temptations:

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Which way do you choose as you stand at the Crossroads? Choose Life.

Luke 3:23-38

Today we’re going to cover one of the more overlooked passages in Luke – the genealogy of Jesus. I have never heard a sermon on this passage of scripture myself, how about you? But knowing that Luke was a “historian of first rank”, we ignore it to our detriment. There are some gems hidden there.

And knowing where we came from is a basic human desire and genealogy is a very popular type of TV program these days so, it is worth a closer look. Perhaps today was make us want to dig a bit deeper for each one of us.

What I’m sure we can all recall is that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry not long after John the Baptist started preaching in the wilderness. By the time you are 30, you probably had an education, a job, a good network of friends, maybe a family not to mention a few tough challenges and had acquired a lot of life skills. It’s an age where you should already be quite mature.

By the time Jesus was 30, he was an experienced carpenter, probably his Dad had died so he was carrying on the family business and supporting his Mum by then. He carried a lot of family responsibility being the eldest son. But he was called by his Father to ministry! And not a respectable ministry with a salary and a house. One that would be on the road with no fixed abode. This may not have gone down well with his family particularly his brothers. They would take the extra load and even felt pressure to support his ministry. Who was going to run the family business after Jesus was gone?

These are all valid concerns but they are the Father’s problem if he has called you to ministry. And a longing for the good life we may have once or could have is dangerous.

Luke 9:61-62

And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

If we love the Lord, we will want to press on in spite of any difficulties. And really is there anything to worry about if that’s the case?!

Luke 3:23-38

Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

There are many names in the list that we don’t recognise. The majority of Christians will never be famous in this world. The fruit from their lives may not even be revealed in their lifetimes. But they stayed faithful to the Lord and they did what he said. Every one of the people listed in this genealogy was an important link in the chain, in the fulfilment of God’s promise.

I noticed something in the genealogy of Matthew that is significant. Firstly, Luke lists the genealogy from Adam to Abraham which Matthew didn’t, although this is very clearly laid out in Genesis. And the genealogy from Abraham to David closely matches Matthew except 4 women - Tamar, Ruth, Rahab and Bathsheba are mentioned in Matthew presumably because they are significant women in the Old Testament. It was not because they met the expectation of a godly Jewish woman. Tamar slept with her father in law. Rahab was a prostitute, Ruth was an Arab not a Jew as was Bathsheba who was an adulteress to boot. 

I want you to notice two names highlighted. Heli is the father of Joseph and David is the father of Nathan. My guess is that David named him Nathan as an honour for the prophet Nathan who confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. Nathan was one of the 4 sons of David (5 if you include the David and Bathsheba’s first child who died before Solomon was born).

Matthew 1:1-6

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Matthew lists Solomon as David's son. When it gets to David, there is a breach. What happened? David’s affair with Bathsheba brought about Solomon as follows in Matthew. But David had another legitimate child, Nathan as follows in Luke. So there were 2 royal lines from the same father, that is David. So that would explain the different fathers in the line from David to Jesus in Luke compared to Matthew.

Then why was Joseph’s father in Matthew, Jacob and in Luke, Heli.

Possible Explanation

• Biological father: Jacob was Joseph's biological father, as stated in Matthew 1:16. 
  
• Legal father: Joseph became the legal son of Heli when Heli married Joseph's widowed mother. This was permitted by Jewish law, known as Levirate marriage. Remember, it is likely Joseph also died young so his biological father could have also died young because of the same gene.
  
• Genealogy: Matthew records Joseph's biological genealogy, while Luke records his legal genealogy. 
  

God made King David a promise that his throne would be established forever. David's descendant would be the Messiah. The Messiah would be a direct descendant of King David from the tribe of Judah.  

But there was problem. Jehoiachin was from the line of David and he became one of the last kings of the nation of Judah. He did evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Kings 24:6-16

Jehoiachin was a bad king and God cursed him because of it. 

Jeremiah 22:30

Thus says the Lord: ‘Write this man down as childless, A man who shall not prosper in his days; For none of his descendants shall prosper, Sitting on the throne of David, And ruling anymore in Judah.’ ”

And so this prophecy was fulfilled. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captured Jehoiachin and took him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar took all of the treasures of the house of the LORD. 

There was a problem that no man could solve. The Messiah was to come from not only David's lineage (which could have made the gene pool very large), but had to be a legal successor in order to inherit the throne of King David. In other words, the Messiah had to be a legal heir to the kings of Judah. Problem was that cursed Jehoiachin was in that legal lineage. So how could God give a legal King that is not under the curse?

With the Virgin Birth.

As described in Matthew, Joseph descended from King David and he was the legal father of Jesus. Jesus was Joseph's adopted son and therefore Jesus inherited the rights to the throne of David. Jesus is the legal heir of David.

However, in Luke’s gospel, it is widely believed this genealogy traced Jesus' line through His biological mother, Mary. In this genealogy Jesus is shown as the blood descendant of King David through his son, Nathan, and on down to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Nathan is a whole different branch of the family tree!

Mary was not descended from Jehoiachin and was therefore, not under the curse. She was the mother of Jesus who descended from King David and through her, Jesus is the real Son of David.

God can never lie. God was faithful to his promise to David and he will be faithful to his promises to us as well. There are consequences to sin as the life of David shows. But as 1 John 1 tells us

1 John 1:9-10

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

David confessed his sin with Bathsheba and God forgave him for it. Both Solomon and Nathan were born after the Lord had forgiven and blessed David and Bathsheba, this is an example of God’s grace to everyone who repents. And to break the curse over David’s line because of Jehoiachin, God stepped in as the Father of Jesus. And with Mary being a virgin. He didn’t have to do anything on David’s son Nathan’s line as Nathan was never cursed. Jesus is both the legal son of David and the biological son of David. He is truly the Son of David and the Son of God, the true King of Israel.

We see an unsolvable problem in the Middle East today. How can there be a true Abrahamic accord between Judaism, Christianity and Islam ? Donald Trump won’t be able to it. No man will. The Lord will do it !

The genealogy we see in Luke shows the grace of God, the importance of repentance, family and of Mums and Dads following the Lord.