WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:05.280 Good morning, everyone, and delighted to share in Johnny's welcome to you this morning as 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:06.780 we journey with Jesus. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:10.060 We've been doing that for a number of weeks now, going through Luke's Gospel. 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:12.280 Two purposes in journeying with Jesus. 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:18.240 One is to learn about Jesus, who he is, why he came, what he did, and the other is to 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:23.019 learn from Jesus, both from his example and from his teaching. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:29.199 So if you've got a Bible, you might like to turn to Luke chapter 11, no, chapter 7, sorry, 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:31.820 and we're going to read verses 11 to 35. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:36.679 It will also appear on the screen in front of me, Luke chapter 7. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:40.320 Verse 11 says, 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:46.799 Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:53.219 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:57.799 and she was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:01.779 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her, and he said, 00:01:02.099 --> 00:01:02.780 Don't cry. 00:01:03.699 --> 00:01:08.019 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:11.420 He said, Young man, I say to you, get up. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:16.900 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:20.599 They were all filled with awe and praised God. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:23.640 A great prophet has appeared among us, they said. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:25.539 God has come to help his people. 00:01:25.540 --> 00:01:30.719 The news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. 00:01:32.080 --> 00:01:34.480 John's disciples told him about all these things. 00:01:35.240 --> 00:01:38.800 Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, 00:01:39.360 --> 00:01:43.300 Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:46.219 When the men came to Jesus, they said, 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:48.320 John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:52.200 Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:58.079 At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, 00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:00.700 and gave sight to many who were blind. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:03.060 So he replied to the messengers, 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:08.020 Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard. 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:11.480 The blind receive sight, the lame walk. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:14.340 Those who have leprosy are cured, the dead hear, 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:19.099 The dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:23.680 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:28.980 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:31.879 What did you go out into the desert to see? 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.259 A reed swayed by the wind? 00:02:35.319 --> 00:02:37.259 If not, what did you go out to see? 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:39.719 A man dressed in fine clothes? 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:44.560 No, those who wear expensive clothes and endowed in luxury are in palaces. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:47.240 But what did you go out to see? 00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:48.599 A prophet. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:51.180 Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 00:02:52.139 --> 00:02:54.079 This is the one about whom it is written, 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:56.780 I will send my messenger ahead of you, 00:02:57.139 --> 00:02:59.219 who will prepare your way before you. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:00.879 I tell you, 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:02.919 among those born of women, 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:05.259 there is no one greater than John. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:10.159 Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 00:03:11.299 --> 00:03:13.019 All the people, even the tax collectors, 00:03:13.459 --> 00:03:14.859 when they heard Jesus' words, 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:16.679 acknowledged that God's way was right, 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:19.199 because they had been baptized by John. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:24.019 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.819 because they had not been baptized by John. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:31.840 To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:32.780 What are they like? 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:36.979 They're like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:40.400 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:43.060 We sang a dirge, and you did not cry. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:47.879 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:49.420 and you say, he has a demon. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.000 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:54.360 and you say, he is a glutton and a drinker, 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.060 a friend of tax collectors and sinners. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:01.860 But wisdom is proved right by all her children. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:05.879 Thank God I'm sure we'll bless his word as we consider it together. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:07.979 Let's take time just to pray now. 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:11.319 Open our eyes, Lord. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:13.000 We want to see Jesus. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:16.680 To reach out and touch him and say that we love him. 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:20.759 Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:23.060 Open our eyes, Lord. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.160 We want to see Jesus. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:26.400 Amen. 00:04:26.400 --> 00:04:26.500 Amen. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:32.240 As I've been preparing for this morning, 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:37.220 there is one question that has been going through my mind time and time again. 00:04:37.320 --> 00:04:41.520 I just couldn't get away from it as I was thinking about this passage. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.000 And that question is, 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:51.199 is my perception of Jesus based on my personality and my perspective? 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:55.759 Or put it a bit more simply in a way I can pronounce, 00:04:56.159 --> 00:04:58.859 do I want Jesus to be like me? 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:02.099 Now you look at that and you immediately think that's the wrong way around. 00:05:02.560 --> 00:05:04.500 It's not that I want Jesus to be like me, 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:06.839 I want to be like Jesus. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:11.199 But isn't it much easier to think that we can be like Jesus 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.800 if we start by thinking Jesus is a bit like me, 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:16.819 only without all my flaws? 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:22.839 Jesus has the same kind of view on life that I do. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.600 He has the same preferences. 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:27.379 He has the same priorities in his life. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.000 And perhaps even he has the same what people would call my prejudices. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:35.620 If Jesus was here today, he would share the kind of lifestyle that I have. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:39.180 He would probably have the same political views that I do. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:43.399 And it's very easy for us to build a picture of Jesus 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:46.000 that is essentially an image of ourselves, 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:51.079 but made perfect because we know Jesus was sinless. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:53.360 And I think in this passage, 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:57.800 what Jesus is addressing is the kind of attitude that is like that. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:01.620 He has people who want Jesus to be like them. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:03.319 So we've got John the Baptist, 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:05.879 who wants Jesus to come with a message of judgment 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:09.240 and actually to institute that judgment in the land. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.639 We've got the scribes and the Pharisees, 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:12.560 teachers of the law, 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:14.300 who want Jesus to be like them 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:16.759 and to keep well away from anyone who is sinful 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:21.340 or isn't in the same way of thinking as they are. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:23.939 And so the challenge this morning, I think, 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:26.699 for me, and there'll be lots more as we go through, 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:28.800 but the key challenge for me this morning has been, 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:32.099 how much do I try to make Jesus in my image? 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:35.459 And how much am I willing to come to the Gospels 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:37.779 and to read the account of Jesus 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:41.639 and to understand from them what he is like, 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:43.240 what his priorities were, 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:45.839 how I should be in my life? 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.199 Yes, I want to be like Jesus, 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:49.899 but to be like Jesus, 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:53.300 I need to really understand what Jesus is like himself 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:55.520 and not just transfer onto him 00:06:55.520 --> 00:06:59.780 everything that I think is important in life. 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:01.139 So let's take that challenge, 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:02.199 take it away with us 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:07.020 and think about what is my perception of Jesus? 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:09.879 Is it based on my personality 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:12.060 and my perspectives in life? 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:15.080 Or is it actually based on what I learn about him 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:16.560 from the Bible? 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:18.600 So in this passage, 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.160 we've got really four sections 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:21.759 and it's a bit of a preacher's dream 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:23.280 because without any difficulty, 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.180 I've managed both alliteration and rhyming 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:27.199 in my headings for this morning. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:30.019 So it should be relatively easy to remember. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:34.600 The first is slightly separate from the following three 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.519 and I've called that compassion. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.560 So this is the incident 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:44.519 of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. 00:07:44.979 --> 00:07:46.279 The first time in the Gospels 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:48.379 that we read of this greatest of all miracles 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:50.579 of Jesus bringing back to life 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.560 someone who had died. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.919 Now, if we look at the flow of the chapter in Luke, 00:07:55.979 --> 00:07:58.000 it's always good to see things in context. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:00.339 It's fairly easy to see how this follows on 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:02.099 from what we were looking at last week. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:05.060 Last week was largely about authority. 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:07.899 It was about the authority the centurion had 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.139 and how he could see from that 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:11.379 the insight he got into the authority of Jesus 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:15.100 and particularly the authority of Jesus over illness 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:17.980 that he was able to cure the servant from a distance. 00:08:18.659 --> 00:08:21.899 This passage in some ways takes that concept further 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:25.159 because it says Jesus not only has authority over illness, 00:08:25.719 --> 00:08:28.600 he also has authority over death. 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:31.839 And the thought of authority comes out again in the passage 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:33.419 because it's the first time in Luke's Gospel 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:36.179 that he refers to Jesus as the Lord 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:37.559 rather than saying Jesus. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:41.719 He talks about him as the Lord representing his authority. 00:08:42.579 --> 00:08:43.479 So from that point of view, 00:08:43.739 --> 00:08:46.039 it's easy to see where it fits in. 00:08:47.339 --> 00:08:48.639 But as we look at this incident, 00:08:49.239 --> 00:08:54.099 there's a key phrase which I think explains it much better. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:58.979 And the phrase in the NIV says that 00:08:58.979 --> 00:09:01.439 Jesus' heart went out to her, 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.139 that is the son's mother. 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:07.779 In other versions it says Jesus had compassion on her. 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.759 This miracle is unusual for another way, 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:13.500 not just because Jesus raised someone from the dead, 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:16.939 it's also unusual because most of the miracles Jesus performed, 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:18.240 certainly the miracles of healing, 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:21.939 he did because someone came to him and asked for it. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:24.799 So again, a good example in last week's account 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:27.559 of the centurion who sent these people to Jesus 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.419 to ask him to heal his servant. 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:32.599 And that happens regularly through the Gospels 00:09:32.599 --> 00:09:34.279 and quite often Jesus will say, 00:09:34.599 --> 00:09:36.279 your faith has saved you. 00:09:36.579 --> 00:09:38.219 In other words, because you took the initiative 00:09:38.219 --> 00:09:39.740 and trusted in me, 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:42.740 that is why I performed this great miracle. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.019 There's nothing of that here. 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:48.079 It is entirely Jesus taking the initiative. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.019 No sign that anyone asked Jesus 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:52.839 to raise this man from the dead. 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:54.099 Indeed, probably most people would think 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:54.759 it would be impossible 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.819 if he was beyond any help. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:10:00.160 But it was Jesus who takes the initiative. 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:02.120 And he takes the initiative 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:05.060 because he had compassion on the widow 00:10:05.060 --> 00:10:08.420 because his heart went out to her. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:12.360 Let's take a minute to try and get the scene in our minds. 00:10:12.900 --> 00:10:14.080 So Jesus has been going around, 00:10:14.160 --> 00:10:15.800 he's been doing these marvellous miracles 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:18.280 and the healing of his centurion servant 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:22.640 was probably the most dramatic so far in his ministry. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:24.640 And he's got a great crowd of people 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:26.039 who are following him. 00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:28.740 And there's a real buzz about it. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:31.080 There's a real excitement about the fact 00:10:31.080 --> 00:10:33.500 that Jesus is doing things which are different, 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:35.360 that he's standing up to what they see 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.699 as the establishment that oppresses them. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.199 We can see it to some extent kind of mirrored 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:42.259 in some of the things that have been happening 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.259 in the political world 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:45.600 over the last months and years 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.620 in terms of people like Donald Trump 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.539 and what's happened with him in the States. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.659 Some of the things that have happened in the UK 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:54.959 in the Labour Party, for instance, 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.059 with Jeremy Corbyn. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:56.959 And people saying, 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:00.360 here's someone who is on the side of the common people 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:03.419 and who's not afraid to stand up to the establishment. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:06.899 And even though the people didn't see beyond that, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.919 some of them probably didn't 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.539 in terms of Jesus at that point, 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:12.980 that was the kind of impression people had. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.100 Here is someone who's different, 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.240 who's on our side, 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:18.860 and who's not afraid of the religious leaders 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.259 who've been putting us down. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.700 And so around Jesus, 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:22.700 there's a real buzz, 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.799 there's a real excitement. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:26.740 And then they come towards this town of Nain 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.740 and coming in the opposite direction, 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.799 there's a funeral procession. 00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:34.539 And with all the sadness and the grief 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:36.720 in that, a particularly powerful one, 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.879 it's a widow who's there. 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.240 She's lost her husband. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.259 Now she's lost her only son. 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:45.720 And her situation is absolutely desperate. 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.759 And in those days, 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:48.840 the burial, 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.240 or still today in the Middle East, 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:52.360 indeed the burial would have been on the same day 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:54.160 that the young man had died. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:56.680 His body would be on, 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:58.060 it says a coffin in the NIV. 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.160 It was more like a plank, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.920 I think, a bire, 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.120 some people call it. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.300 It would be exposed. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.860 You would literally be looking death in the face 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:07.879 as you looked at that scene. 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:10.220 And Jesus, looking at that, 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.980 his heart goes out to the woman. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:15.820 He has compassion on her. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.139 And he does three things. 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:20.279 First thing he does is he says to her, 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:20.899 don't cry. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:23.279 So he goes and he comforts her 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.840 and reassures her. 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:28.519 He then touches the coffin or the plank. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:29.420 Now that would, 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.920 in the sight of the Jews, 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.320 make him richly unclean. 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:34.379 So this was a departure from convention 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.180 that Jesus was doing that. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.720 And then he tells the young man to get up 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:41.480 and he talks with him. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:43.940 Jesus goes into the situation. 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.379 He sees something happening. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.139 He's not filled with embarrassment 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.300 that his people are all happy 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.500 and these people are mourning. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.139 He sees something there. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.759 He has compassion on the widow 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.379 and he acts upon it. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.019 And if we're wanting to be like Jesus, 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.180 if we want to understand 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.620 what Jesus is like, 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:03.320 then understanding the compassion of Jesus 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:05.580 and having that ourselves 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:08.300 is really, really important. 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:10.479 There are lots of reasons 00:13:10.479 --> 00:13:11.899 why as Christians we serve 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.240 and maybe serve well. 00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:15.000 Some people serve 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.799 because they have a real zeal for the Lord 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.399 and that's good. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:19.139 They want to serve the Lord. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.620 They want to win others for him. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.359 They want to do whatever they can 00:13:22.359 --> 00:13:24.059 for the one who died for them. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.699 Entirely commendable. 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:29.339 Some people are more motivated by duty. 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:31.559 They recognize Jesus as Lord 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:33.740 and they want to do whatever is needed 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.719 to serve him 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.300 and to serve others in his name. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.540 And that is good as well. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.019 Both of these are good reasons 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.899 for serving Jesus. 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.100 But alongside them, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:47.800 we need to have a real compassion for others. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:50.500 When we see someone who's got a need 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.980 and their circumstances are hard, 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.040 perhaps desperate, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:56.440 our hearts should go out to them 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.800 and we should think, 00:13:57.899 --> 00:14:00.779 what can I do to help in that situation 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:03.279 to show something of the kind of love 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:05.419 the Lord Jesus has? 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:09.000 Very easy when we come into church on a Sunday 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.579 to think everything's great here. 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.100 The music's wonderful. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.519 There's good chat and company. 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:16.839 The preaching is generally very good. 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:19.259 And it's a good place to be. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.819 But you don't have to look far in our church 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.819 or any other church 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:25.740 to find people who are really suffering. 00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:28.139 Someone who is desperately ill 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:30.139 and who needs people to go with her, 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.179 to go to her and to pray with her. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.879 Someone who's been housebound for many years 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.399 and needs people just to visit him 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.799 and to tell him what's going on in the church 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:41.480 and to make him still feel part of things here. 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:44.360 People who are suffering from poor mental health, 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:47.360 who need to believe that people understand 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:49.439 how things are for them 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:52.419 and are able to support and help them. 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:55.620 As we dig beneath the surface in our church, 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.539 there are many, many people 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.159 who need our compassion 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.919 and who need our help 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:03.519 as they seek to struggle 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.980 with the things in their lives. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.279 I think the challenge to me 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.879 and I have to challenge to you as well 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:13.019 is not enough to be motivated just by zeal 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.360 or just by a sense of duty. 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:19.000 Ultimately, Jesus' business with us 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.860 is a people business 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:23.759 and it is seeing others in need 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.940 and doing what we can to meet that need. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:30.980 We need to have the compassion that Jesus had. 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:34.220 So that's the first part of the passage. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:37.320 The next bit I've called confirmation. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:40.860 So this is the beginning of the bit about John the Baptist. 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.300 John the Baptist is in prison. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.139 John has said just a little bit too much. 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:48.560 That was very uncomfortable for Herod and his family 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:50.939 and he's been thrown into prison for it 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.579 and he is facing the prospect 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:55.119 that almost certainly he will lose his life 00:15:55.119 --> 00:15:56.379 for what he said. 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.079 We're seeing things that were perfectly true 00:15:58.079 --> 00:15:59.139 and needed to be said 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:04.219 but he's probably in his final stretch of his life. 00:16:04.959 --> 00:16:05.899 And John is in prison 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.419 and he's looking out 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:07.859 and he's saying, 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:08.859 I hear about Jesus. 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:11.359 I hear about the buzz there is around him. 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:13.059 I hear about the things he's doing. 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:17.500 But I'm no longer sure that he is the promised Messiah. 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:20.859 And maybe that's partly just John's situation. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:21.619 He's lonely. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.039 He's cut off. 00:16:23.119 --> 00:16:23.759 He's imprisoned. 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:26.759 And it becomes very difficult for him. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:29.899 But I think very much it's because John looks 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.500 and he looks at Jesus and he says, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.779 this isn't what I expected. 00:16:34.739 --> 00:16:38.659 Jesus isn't acting the way that I thought he would. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:42.939 John's message initially was very much one of judgment. 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.219 That God was going to come 00:16:45.219 --> 00:16:47.539 and to judge his people through the Messiah. 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:49.240 That he would take the axe to the tree 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.699 is the metaphor that John uses 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:52.779 as he preaches beside the Jordan. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.459 And he looked at Jesus 00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:55.519 and he thought, 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:58.100 here is the man who's going to do it. 00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.919 Who's going to free the country 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.339 from the oppression of the Romans. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:04.319 Who's going to make sure that her and his family 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.500 get the judgment that's coming to them. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:09.000 Who's going to expose the hypocrisy 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:10.259 of the religious leaders 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:12.119 and make sure that they're deposed 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:13.859 from the kind of position they've had. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.680 And to bring to our land, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.019 to our nation, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.420 the freedom, 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.839 the justice, 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:22.140 and the true knowledge of God 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.799 that it should have. 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:26.279 That is what John expected Jesus to do. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:28.779 And he looks out and he sees Jesus doing great things, 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.559 doing great miracles, 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.980 very popular with the people. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.299 And he's thinking, 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:34.039 have I got this wrong? 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.480 I thought he was the Messiah. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.460 I thought he was the one 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.960 who's going to come and liberate Israel. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:42.220 But there's no sign that he's doing that. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:46.980 And so John sends his disciples to Jesus. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:50.079 And Jesus doesn't immediately reply to them. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.359 But he shows them what he's about. 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.420 He shows them the miracles that he does. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:58.579 The curing of diseases, illnesses, 00:17:58.899 --> 00:18:00.259 evil spirits, and so on. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:02.119 And then he says to them, 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.480 look at what you've seen. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:05.379 Go back and tell John. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.579 Now Luke doesn't explicitly say it, 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.920 but as the disciples went back 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:11.619 and told John what Jesus said, 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:13.500 John would immediately be reminded 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.220 of what was said, 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.420 particularly in the prophet Isaiah, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.779 but certainly in the Old Testament 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:19.099 about the Messiah who was coming. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.980 He would be someone 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.559 who would have particular concern 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.339 for the ill, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.539 and particularly for the poor, 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.960 as it is said at the end, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:28.619 good news is proclaimed to the poor. 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.779 So in other words, 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.119 Jesus is saying to John, 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:32.019 don't doubt. 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:34.359 I'm not coming to do exactly 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.539 what you expected at this stage. 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.279 There will be a day 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.279 when Jesus will come as judge. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.279 I'm not doing exactly 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.619 what you expected at this stage, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.939 but I am the Messiah. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.719 I am the promised one. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:47.439 I can give you that confirmation. 00:18:48.979 --> 00:18:50.519 Yes, some of us at times have doubts. 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:53.239 Maybe all of us have times have doubts. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.699 Our faith is weak, 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.720 and we look at things 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.200 and perhaps not as we would hope 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.360 or not as we would like, 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.160 and we begin to doubt our faith, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.779 perhaps even begin to doubt 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.440 the basis for our faith 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.680 through the Lord Jesus. 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:09.100 And the way to address that, 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.500 I think quite clearly, 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.500 is to do what Jesus did, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.980 is to say, 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.080 I want to look 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:18.279 and see what Jesus really is like. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:20.100 Jesus said to John's disciples, 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.039 you observe me, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.580 now go back and tell John 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.580 what I'm doing. 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.500 And it's the same for us. 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:26.659 We need, 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.019 if we've got doubts, 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.460 if we're not sure about things, 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.559 to get back 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.000 and to read about Jesus 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.879 and to do it with an open mind, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.399 looking for God to guide us 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.599 as we do 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:39.259 and to reveal the truths to us. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.419 In the vestibule at the front, 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.359 there are lots of copies 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.319 of Luke's Gospel. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.480 If you're having any doubt 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.699 or if you're struggling 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.799 in any way with your faith, 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:50.240 can I suggest you take one of them 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.759 and just read through it 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:54.120 and see Jesus in it. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.680 See what Jesus is like, 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.779 what he does, 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.059 what he says, 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.420 how he died for us 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.240 and rose again. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.519 And with an open heart, 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.660 ask God to reveal to you 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:06.740 the truths of his word. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.720 We confirm our faith 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.240 when we look at Jesus 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.779 and when we see 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:13.880 what he is all about. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.299 Confirmation to John. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:19.099 John's disciples then go away 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:21.859 and Jesus gives a commendation 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.919 for John. 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:23.759 Interesting, 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.919 he got the disciples to go away. 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.559 I'm not quite sure 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.200 where that was, 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:27.319 but he certainly wanted 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.599 the people who were around him 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:30.099 to understand John 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.019 and particularly, I think, 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.759 to understand 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.240 that this wasn't what John 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.579 was, someone really backsliding 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.119 and they shouldn't really 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:36.279 have bothered with him at all. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.460 And so Jesus 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:40.220 then commends John to them. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.419 And he said, 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.720 well, why did you go out 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.659 into the desert? 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:45.319 Why did you go to the place 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.299 where John was? 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.279 Was it to see a reed swing 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.500 in the wind? 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.599 Not interpreting exactly 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.759 what Jesus means by this. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.480 Is it, 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.619 you wouldn't go to the desert 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.619 just to see the reed swing 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.359 in the wind, would you? 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.179 You can see them anywhere. 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.779 You weren't going 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.759 on a sightseeing tour. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.359 Or perhaps it was 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:00.000 giving them the reassurance 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.079 that John wasn't someone 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.259 who was easily swayed, 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.419 that he was firm in his views, 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.200 that he was strong 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.500 in what he said. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.379 So they shouldn't worry 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.079 about the fact 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.899 he'd asked these questions. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:09.939 Then he says, 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.039 were you going to look 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.700 for someone dressed 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.399 in fine clothes? 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.259 No, they were going to someone 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.559 who was dressed in camel's hair 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.059 and probably looks 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.859 rather strange. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.519 They went to find someone 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.200 who they believed 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.519 and rightly believed 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.879 was a prophet. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.359 Someone who came 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.779 to bring them God's word, 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.639 to help them 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.700 to understand it 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.220 and to challenge them 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.259 from it. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.539 And John, 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.179 Jesus said, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.240 that's exactly what 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.339 you got with John. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.039 Indeed, 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.559 you got a very special prophet. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.779 You got a prophet 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.839 who had been prophesied 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.740 about himself 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.220 in the Old Testament. 00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:45.299 The one who fulfilled 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:47.039 the Old Testament prophecy 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.299 of a messenger 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.059 who had come 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:50.679 before Jesus. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.859 I think it's in that sense 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.759 that Jesus says 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:55.099 that John is the greatest 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.179 that has been born 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.459 of women. 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.220 There were many great prophets 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.359 in the Old Testament. 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.619 We could think of people 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.480 like Elijah, 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.419 the Elisha. 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.959 We could think of the prophets 00:22:04.959 --> 00:22:06.099 who wrote many of the books 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.000 towards the end 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.859 of the Old Testament. 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:08.859 Great men. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.519 But what was different 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.119 with John 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.619 was John was the immediate 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:13.399 forerunner 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:14.679 of the Lord Jesus. 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:17.240 He himself had been prophesied about. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.219 He was the one 00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:19.399 who introduced Jesus 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.339 to the world 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.859 as Jesus came, 00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:22.599 particularly when he came 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.119 to be baptized 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.819 and also in the instance 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.379 we read about 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:27.619 in John chapter 1. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.819 So Jesus said, 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:29.279 John, 00:22:29.699 --> 00:22:31.119 there's no one born of women 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.259 who is greater than John. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.479 And then he says 00:22:33.479 --> 00:22:34.599 something very surprising. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.179 He said, 00:22:36.179 --> 00:22:37.539 yet the one who is least 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.899 in the kingdom of God 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:41.559 is greater than he. 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.200 So that if we believe 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.920 in the Lord Jesus, 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.899 that is you and me, 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.299 Jesus is saying 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.339 in some sense 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.339 that we are greater 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:50.159 than John. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.099 Now it's not that 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:53.139 we are more zealous 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.879 for God 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:55.039 than John. 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.819 It's not that our message 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.980 and the way it produces 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.960 is more powerful 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.899 than John's. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.079 I think the privilege 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.779 we have 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.019 is we have the full 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.799 understanding 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.319 of the Lord Jesus 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.740 as we do 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.299 if we read about him 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.919 in the scripture. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.299 And we have 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.059 the relationship 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.879 with God 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:12.279 as our father 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.359 if we're trusting 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:13.759 in Jesus 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.279 in a way that 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.859 saints in the Old Testament 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.099 even the finest 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.639 of them 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.700 didn't have. 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.839 So it's a question 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.579 of privilege 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.399 that makes us 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.319 greater than John, 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.700 not our personality 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.559 or our character. 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.960 Jesus says, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.139 I commend to you, 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:28.539 John, 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:30.639 he's a great man. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.799 And some people say, 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.299 yes, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.839 we identify with that, 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.500 we went out, 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.139 we were baptized 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.879 by John, 00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:37.000 we confessed our sins, 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.159 we can see the greatness 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.859 of John. 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:39.959 And some people 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:40.819 hadn't got involved 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.599 in all that stuff. 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.299 They said, 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.679 no, 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.519 we don't believe in John, 00:23:44.699 --> 00:23:46.099 we're rightly in prison, 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:47.119 he's a man who should 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.879 be locked away 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.879 and they would have 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:50.439 nothing to do with him. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.740 And so Jesus then 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.679 turns his attention 00:23:53.679 --> 00:23:54.359 particularly 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.740 to those in this 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.039 latter category. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.439 And we get this 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:59.579 little parable. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.399 I was quite struck 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.259 by one book I was reading 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.799 which called it 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.139 The Parable of the Brats. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.960 I quite like that, 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.399 The Parable of the Brats. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.819 So you've got these children 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.559 that are sitting around 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.460 and they're kind of 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.379 thinking about playing. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.700 And some of the children 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:11.919 say, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.059 we want to play funerals, 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.779 let's play sad tunes 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.960 and we'll pretend 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.059 we're in a funeral procession, 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.559 some of us will be 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.519 professional mourners. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.559 Other people say, 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:19.779 no, 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.319 we really want to play weddings 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.440 and let's play nice 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.119 cheerful tunes 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.539 and the flute 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.480 and we'll dance along 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.180 with one another. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.619 And neither group 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.779 is willing to compromise 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.059 or to go along 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.480 with whatever the game is. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.980 If things are not 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.500 being done in their way 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.920 and how they think 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.680 it should be, 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.839 then they're not going 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:38.579 to get involved in it. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.539 And Jesus says, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.920 that's exactly 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.420 what the religious leaders 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.680 of his day were like. 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:47.279 Unless people 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.620 were exactly like them 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.519 and followed exactly 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.599 the way that they felt 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.539 things should be done, 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.460 they weren't going 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.019 to get involved, 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.480 they were going 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.400 to condemn them 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.519 and they were going 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.480 to do whatever they could 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.700 to get rid of them. 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.220 So John the Baptist 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.099 came with this great 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.079 message of judgment. 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.359 He lived a very ascetic 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.619 life out in the wilderness. 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.299 He ate locusts and honey. 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.519 He had this camel hair cloak. 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.539 He was very different. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.019 He didn't get involved 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.559 in the normal 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.740 social things of life. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.679 And they said, 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.839 well, he's mad. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.980 He must have a demon 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.619 or something. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.859 Jesus comes and takes 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.039 exactly the opposite 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.199 position in some ways 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.759 to John. 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.339 He gets involved 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.319 in the social life. 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.559 He even goes 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.379 and associates 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.079 with those 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.960 who would be regarded 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.939 as sinners. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.339 As those whom 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.759 the religious people, 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.900 the people who thought 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.440 they mattered 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.660 would really look down on 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.279 and say, 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.220 we can have nothing 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.220 to do with them 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.299 because they're not 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.599 following the law of God 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.119 as we see it. 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.400 And they could have 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.519 John on the one hand 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.279 because he was too 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.839 austere 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:44.259 and too stern. 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:46.059 And Jesus on the other hand 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.160 because he was too 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.799 relaxed, 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.619 because he came with 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.559 too much 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.359 willingness 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.460 to associate 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:53.019 with other 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.819 people. 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.720 And they would 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.759 never be happy 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.759 unless 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.700 Jesus 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.799 and John 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.740 were exactly 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:02.079 as they were. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.779 Again, it's this thing 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.599 I started with. 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:06.159 Do I want 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.359 Jesus to be 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.819 like 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.619 me? 00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:10.259 And perhaps 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.740 we need to 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.439 sometimes examine 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:12.279 ourselves and say, 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.000 well, do we have 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.960 something of the attitude 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.200 of these religious 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.419 leaders and Pharisees 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.519 in the way we look 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:17.919 at things, 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.439 in the way we look 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.000 at the work 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.779 that is done 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.619 for the Lord Jesus? 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.519 It's not quite the way 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.579 we want it to be done 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.319 and we don't think 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.059 it's appropriate 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:26.639 or are we willing 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:28.419 to see God at work 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:29.879 and to rejoice in it 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.500 even though it may 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.639 come in very different 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.599 ways from different 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.879 people at 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.539 different times. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.799 Sometimes God 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.740 would condemn us 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.859 for our attitudes 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.759 towards his work 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.859 and by inference 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:43.519 towards the Lord Jesus. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.639 Let's just finish 00:26:45.639 --> 00:26:46.740 with three phrases 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.139 from the passage. 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.039 Hopefully we'll bring 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.339 home some of what 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.059 we've been talking 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.460 about. 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:55.399 So the first one 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.839 is in verse 17 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.599 and the crowd 00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:00.039 say as they witness 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.960 Jesus' miracle 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.359 God has come 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:02.960 to help 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.759 his people. 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.579 Literally it says 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:06.039 God has visited 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.699 his people. 00:27:09.179 --> 00:27:10.220 And this is about 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.919 recognizing Jesus 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.220 as the one 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.460 who came from God, 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.619 who came with 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.399 God's word, 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.079 who came with 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.939 God's power, 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.019 who came with 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.359 God's compassion. 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:20.479 salvation. 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.059 And particularly 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.799 in our day 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.559 as the one 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.139 who came with 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.759 the compassion 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.399 of God 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.879 for our sins 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.659 and our 00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:28.500 helplessness. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.179 The raising of 00:27:30.179 --> 00:27:30.659 the widow of 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.119 Nain's son 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:32.059 is very much 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.959 in many ways 00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:33.339 a kind of 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.240 acted out version 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.679 of what 00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.759 salvation through 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.919 Jesus is all 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.219 about. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.039 Someone who is 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.519 dead, 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.979 completely oblivious 00:27:39.979 --> 00:27:40.579 to things, 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.779 no hope because 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.819 it was gone for 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.099 them. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.179 And Jesus 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:45.179 comes into that 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:46.439 situation and 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.439 he brings hope 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.580 and he brings 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.360 life. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.620 And through his 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.180 death on the 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.620 cross, 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.160 God has come to 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.880 help his people 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.559 through Jesus 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.980 as he took on 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.019 himself the 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.660 punishment that 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.580 was due to us. 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.759 So if we simply 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.660 trust in him, 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.539 we can have 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.740 eternal life, 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:03.620 we can have 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.059 hope, 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.100 we can have a 00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:06.220 real future. 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.900 God has come 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.620 to help his 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.440 people. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.779 Have we all 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.580 taken advantage 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.440 of that help 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.019 that's offered, 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.460 that salvation 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.220 through the Lord 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.059 Jesus, the new 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.400 life that Christ 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.720 can give us. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.539 Second key 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:24.000 phrase is at 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.039 the end of 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.880 the encounter 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.500 with John's 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.000 disciples. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.559 Verse 23, 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.420 Jesus says, 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.380 blessed is anyone 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.240 who does not 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.420 stumble on 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.140 account of me. 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.620 Some versions 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.240 say blessed is 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.620 anyone who is 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.519 not offended 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.180 by me. 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.440 I saw a 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:41.259 bit of a 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.900 paraphrase, 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:43.000 blessed is the 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.579 one who doesn't 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.339 feel let down 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.759 by me. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.019 And maybe 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.519 there's a sense 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.220 that John felt 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.779 let down. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.319 And this was 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.819 very much 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.299 addressed to 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.139 John and 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:50.220 his disciples. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.339 Relevant to 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.019 us as well. 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.279 Because what 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.460 this says is 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.440 it is possible 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.359 to be offended 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.180 by Jesus. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.599 It is possible 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.440 to stumble 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.200 as we look 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.980 at him. 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.420 We could be 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.900 like these 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.660 Pharisees and 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.259 these religious 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.500 leaders and 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.119 come to Jesus 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.579 with our 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.259 perception of 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.779 what he should 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.379 be like. 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.259 And if he's 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.139 not like that, 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.839 then we reject 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.220 him and say, 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.799 no, I don't 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.480 want anything 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.220 to do with 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.599 that. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.819 A lot of 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.319 people around 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:16.700 about in 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.319 our world 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.880 would say 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.500 I don't 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.059 want anything 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.380 to do with 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:19.799 Christianity 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.779 because. 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.259 And it's 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.759 very often 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.279 to do with 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.140 what they 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.440 would see 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.039 as prejudice 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.599 or can 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.180 be to do 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.480 with why 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.940 doesn't God 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.299 do more 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.720 about his 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.039 pain in 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.380 the world 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.059 and so on. 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.240 And Jesus 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.779 doesn't 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.759 necessarily do 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.559 everything as 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.380 we expect. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.140 And that 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.259 can be a 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.039 stumbling block. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.099 But Jesus 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.039 says we need 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.940 to look beyond 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.000 the superficial 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.960 and look 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.900 beyond our 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.360 prejudices, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.660 our perspectives 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.299 in life 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.600 and to get 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.299 God's view 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.860 of the world 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.480 and to see 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.120 Jesus through 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.880 that lens 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:52.240 and not stumble, 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.180 not be offended 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:55.160 because of him. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:56.779 Jesus, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.900 particularly at the 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.259 end of the 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.519 passage, 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:58.980 in some ways 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.440 he always went 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.080 out of his way 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:00.660 to offend 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.559 the Pharisees, 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.160 certainly to bring 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.720 them to a head 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.279 and to help 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.059 them to understand 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.080 just how different 00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:06.200 they are from 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.440 him. 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.160 And sometimes 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.720 Jesus will 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.440 challenge us in 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.039 that kind of 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.200 way and we 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.700 need to be 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.200 honest with 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.700 ourselves and 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:11.859 say, 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.059 well, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.839 is that a 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.339 challenge I 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.139 need to 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:15.559 address and 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:15.899 to do 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.599 something about 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.680 or am I 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.079 just going to 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.599 be put off 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.819 Jesus by 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.119 it? 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.220 And then 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.619 right at the 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:22.839 end, 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.500 Jesus says 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.180 wisdom is 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.940 proved right 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.359 by all her 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.920 children. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.720 The equivalent 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.839 of the 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.240 passage in 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.879 Matthew says 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:29.420 wisdom is 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.940 proved right 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.420 by her 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.980 deeds and I 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.319 think that 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:31.960 gets the 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.639 same sense 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:33.460 across. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.779 Jesus is 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.259 saying the 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.240 wise person 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.940 is the one 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.879 who trusts me 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.659 and who 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.019 follows me. 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:40.420 who doesn't 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.200 get put off 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.920 by all the 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.379 things that 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:42.680 go on 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.220 round about 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.399 him, 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.859 but particularly 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.259 by their 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.139 own views 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.779 and their 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.539 own attitudes. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.859 Who recognizes 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.440 that true 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.460 wisdom is 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.440 found in 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.980 the Son of 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.839 God who 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.379 came into 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.000 this world 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.899 to be the 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:55.019 saviour of 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.519 the world. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.519 And how 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:56.879 is that 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.500 proved to be 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.779 right? 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.220 How is it 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.759 proved to be 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.379 true wisdom? 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.099 It is 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.619 proved to be 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:01.159 true wisdom 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.599 by the 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.259 effect it 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.960 has on 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.059 those who 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.799 follow Jesus. 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.299 By the 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.980 effect that 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.960 comes from 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.720 knowing him, 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:09.759 from loving 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.220 him, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.039 by sharing 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.000 his priorities, 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.579 by having the 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:12.980 kind of 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.299 compassion that 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.160 he talked 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.059 about and 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.220 showed earlier 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.620 on. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.980 Wisdom is 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.779 proved right 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.180 by all her 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.039 children. 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.120 I guess the 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.559 challenge from 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.140 that for those 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.700 of us who are 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.680 following Jesus 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.840 and who want 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:27.579 to serve him 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.700 is can people 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.420 look at us 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:31.120 and say yes I 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.240 can see that 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.840 there is something 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:33.740 different about 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.680 them, it is 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.299 something that is 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.240 good because 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.640 they have a 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.440 real care and 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.180 compassion for 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.359 others and 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.660 they love the 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.319 Lord Jesus and 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.000 want to serve 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.200 him and then 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.200 they are attracted 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.920 to the Lord 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.980 because they see 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.519 that there is 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:48.000 truth in what 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.000 is said because 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:49.839 it makes that 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.880 real difference 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:52.259 in our lives. 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.019 The three things 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.380 take away. 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.019 God has come 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.519 to help his 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.900 people. 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.799 Blessed is 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.299 anyone who 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:57.700 does not 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.160 stumble on 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.700 account of 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:58.960 me. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:31:59.900 Wisdom 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.519 has proved 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.539 right by 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.599 all her 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.440 children. 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.559 Let's examine 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.079 our hearts 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.500 today. 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.559 Let's think 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.039 about how 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.559 much are 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.359 my attitudes 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.359 towards Jesus 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:11.119 based on my 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:12.139 feelings and 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.879 my comfort, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.480 what feels 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.279 right to me. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.179 How much is 00:32:15.179 --> 00:32:15.879 it based on 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.500 what I learned 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.000 from Jesus 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.740 in the Bible 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.139 and from 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.059 sincerely wanting 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.279 to know and 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.119 to follow him. 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.319 And if we 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.279 need to, let's 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.619 make the 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:24.460 appropriate changes 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.299 by trusting in 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.139 him or by 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:26.839 rededicating 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.639 ourselves to 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.779 him or by 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.480 showing more 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.240 of his love 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.960 to those 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.480 round about 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:31.879 us. 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.740 Let's pray 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.059 together. 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.779 Father, we 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.220 thank you for 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.779 your word. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.720 We thank you 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.339 for the power 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:38.960 with which it 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.639 comes to us 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:40.000 from the 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.579 Lord Jesus 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.940 that he is 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.619 not afraid 00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:43.179 to be 00:32:43.179 --> 00:32:43.980 controversial, 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.379 to condemn 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.019 those who 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.899 are not 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.759 following your 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.059 way. 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:48.799 But we 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.159 thank you 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:49.659 too for 00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.139 the real 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:50.740 compassion 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.139 that we 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.240 see for 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.059 the raising 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.759 of the dead, 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.200 for the 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.659 healing of 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.200 the sick, 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.000 for the 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.460 hope that 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:56.879 is given 00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:57.639 to the 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:57.940 poor. 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.099 Help us 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.440 all to 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.159 understand 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:00.940 who Jesus 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.399 is, 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.599 why he came 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:02.980 to this 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.339 world, 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.740 and how 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.200 we can 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.640 have 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.039 complete 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.519 forgiveness 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.240 and hope 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.680 through 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:06.980 him. 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.400 And as 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:08.680 we do 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:08.920 that, 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.440 help us 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.299 to build 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:10.720 up our 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.120 knowledge 00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.640 of him 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.559 based on 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.180 your word, 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.279 and help 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.559 us to 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.279 become more 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.759 like the 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.380 real Jesus 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.620 that we 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.099 may show 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.720 to others 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.500 the love, 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.319 the compassion, 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.400 the care 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.120 that he 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.440 had. 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.299 We thank 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.480 you for 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:23.759 our time 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.160 together. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.599 We pray 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:24.880 you'll be 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.279 with us 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.480 now as 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.900 we join 00:33:26.900 --> 00:33:27.460 together in 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:27.920 remembering 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.620 more about 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:29.180 Jesus and 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.519 particularly 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:29.920 what he's 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.359 done for 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.180 us on 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.599 the cross. 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.120 Be with us 00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:32.579 in our time 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.079 of communion, 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:33.879 we give 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:34.339 you thanks 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:34.679 and commit 00:33:34.679 --> 00:33:35.259 ourselves to 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.500 you. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.279 In Jesus' 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:36.639 name, 00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:37.619 Amen.