Sermon snippet – Let Us Learn from Jesus
INTRODUCTION – Jesus is far more than a teacher; He is God, and He is the Savior of each one who trusts in Him for eternal salvation. However, He is also a teacher, and no one can match His ability to instruct. From Luke 13:10-17, let us learn from Him.
- IDEAS MATTER
The leader of the synagogue had very set and specific ideas about what constituted spiritual living. Over 600 do’s and don’t’s represented his Pharisaical worldview, and he expected everyone else to toe his line. He is the kind of guy who, if he pats you on the back, uses his knuckles! Worse than the physically twisted body of this afflicted woman was this man’s twisted ideology. For good or for bad, ideas matter.
- PEOPLE MATTER
Eighteen years (verse 11)! Eighteen years is a long time. The prevailing (and wrong) attitude of that era was that this woman or her parents had done something evil to deserve this infirmity (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3). In providing healing for this lady, Jesus met her immediate need and corrected the erroneous theology of the religious establishment. What about “the ruler” of the synagogue? Did he matter to Jesus? Yes, he certainly did. Jesus did not casually use the strong term “hypocrite.” It was a necessary usage to confront this man’s blatantly false worldview. The practical example that Jesus employed (verse 15) was logically and emotionally irrefutable. We should note that others were positively impacted by the pointed language of Jesus: “His adversaries were ashamed” (verse 17) and had a clear opportunity to repent. Others (“all the people” -verse 17) were encouraged to continue in the right. All of these people mattered to Jesus, for all lives matter.
- JOY MATTERS
The healed woman responded with joy and “glorified God” (verse 13). Many others joined in her joy and “rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him” (verse 17). God’s people must be people of joy. I have often said that I do not want to become a bitter old geezer. Therefore, I insist on gladness when God’s goodness is granted to anyone. Given the deep depravity in this vicious old world, we cannot ignore or dismiss God’s blessings to others. Let us find joy in the things that Jesus graciously gives, especially when He gives them to someone not named “me.”
CONCLUSION – Let us learn from Jesus to be perceptive about the ideas that influence us, to place great value on all lives (including the unborn), and to proclaim joy. May each one of us be certain of the heavenly joy that is found in a saving relationship with God the Son, the Savior, Jesus Christ (Luke 15:10).