Chapter 7 finishes up Jesus' sermon on the mount. At the end of his sermon, he had created quite a stir- mainly because his teaching was so different from the "teachers of the law" that the people were used to hearing. The religious leaders of the day were used to citing traditions and quoting other authorities to support their arguments. Jesus taught something new- something "counter cultural" that had everyone buzzing. God's word does that to me today- does it do it you as well? The words go against everything that our culture sends our way, but somehow they ring true and awaken something deeper in our hearts.
Our culture tells us to measure ourselves against the successes and failures of those around us. Jesus says to examine our own lives first, so that we can correctly see how to help those around us.
Our culture would have you believe that God wants to withold from us. Jesus tells us that God is the perfect Father figure who wants nothing more than to give us the best He has to offer. We should feel free to come to Him with every request.
Our culture tells us to look out for ourselves first. Jesus tells us to treat others as we would want to be treated.
Our culture would tell us that all roads lead to heaven. Jesus says there is only one, narrow road, and that is the only way to life.
Our culture tells us to listen to what sounds good to you. Jesus tells us to watch out for people who just tell us what we want to hear. Often their motives aren't pure and their deeds don't match their words.
Our culture tells us to trust in ourselves, but Jesus tells us that trusting in Him and acting in obedience to His words are the only way to find true security in this life.
A few of the people listening to Jesus got it. They didn't just talk about him like the greatest new celebrity. They believed in Him- and in His ability to heal. One man was a leper. An outcast- unclean by the law. In faith, he believed that Jesus could "make him clean." Amazingly, Jesus reached out and TOUCHED the man, unclean and with a skin disease. Can you imagine what that meant to him? The touch may have meant as much as the healing itself. Who knows how long it had been since someone touched him. We also all have a disease- called sin- that makes us unclean and unworthy to come before a holy God. Jesus also makes us clean, able to be touched by the hand of God.
Another man was a Roman centurion. A Gentile. A heathen by Old Testament terms. Jesus was amazed at his faith, and told the crowd that this man's faith would save him, where all the religious traditions of the holiest jews would fail them. I am also amazed at his faith. He didn't limit Jesus' ability to heal by either time or location. How often do I expect God to answer prayers or perform miracles based on human limitations? Don't limit God!
Again and again we see Jesus demonstrate his power- healing the sick, driving out demons, calming storms. Yet so often we still have areas of our lives we feel God just "can't handle." We think we have to get it cleaned up for Him first. If Chapter 8 hasn't convinced you otherwise, let me spell it out for you. There is nothing God can't handle in your life! There is no sickness, no demon, and no storm that He can't heal, drive out, or quiet. Leave it with Him and in His mighty hands!
Jesus was plain with those who wanted to follow Him about what the cost would be. There were no illusions of comfort or prosperity. Jesus also made it clear that nothing less than complete loyalty would suffice. There is only one narrow gate. Only one who should get the top priority in our life. Only one way to life- and only one God who can heal us and quiet the storms of our life with His power. Am I giving Him my all? Am I acting in obedience to His words? Is my faith lacking? What do I need to come to Him with today?
I know this verse is actually from John, but I think the spirit of it applies to our reading today. The above print can be found here. I have a small version at my house and it's a good reminder!
Nothing He can't do. Nothing He can't heal. No one He doesn't love. As Beth said in study of the apostle John, "He's a Salve for every sore." He is our Everything, as much as the world wants us to believe otherwise. No thing can satisfy, but only He.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I loved the way you compared these two cultures! We are so bombarded by this world that is so contrary with what Jesus teaches us. We just have to keep our minds set on Him.
ReplyDeleteI love your Peace Be Still poster too!There are storms that come and go in all of our lives, but He can still them all!
I to liked the way you put what our culture would have us to believe compared to what God says. It shows that God doesn't change, his word has proved true throughout the ages. Our country was founded on people who wanted to worship God in their own way not many different gods but the one and true God. Now, we are in the minority, they think something is wrong with you if you believe in God. Very good in comparison but thank God His word holds true today. Just because somebody doesn't follow it doesn't mean it has changed.
ReplyDelete"DON'T LIMIT GOD!"...I say this to people ALL THE TIME! He can handle ANYTHING!!! Is there anything more comforting and peace-giving than that? I think we have a tendency to forget that Jesus' teaching was VERY radical to the culture of His time just like it is today. Natalie - you did an amazing job with the culture comparisons. I really liked how you did that. God's Word is SOOOO timeless!!! WONDERFUL post Natalie - thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat summary, Natalie and perspective on the comparison of our culture vs. Jesus. That is very insightful!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you like to have seen the demons driven from the two men into the pigs and then the pigs run down the hill??? How chaotic that must have seemed! How sad that the people wanted Jesus to leave their region. Why? Were the scared, unsure, fearful that their animals would also die? Good stuff to ponder!