September 29
1. Today, I want to start my sermon with words from a book.
As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind (Heschel, ch. 4 Wonder of "God in search of Man").
2. In a world increasingly reliant on technology, we often lose our sense of wonder. When I visited Saskatchewan, especially Pelly, the simplicity of life in Pelly, where people live without smartphones and the internet, showed me the importance of community, connection, and faith. Their reliance on Jesus' love allowed them to maintain a sense of wonder in God's work. Similarly, Jesus' healing ministry in the Bible restored people's sense of wonder in God's power. Living under Roman rule and neglectful religious leaders, people in Judea had lost their connection to the divine. Jesus' miracles reawakened their faith and reminded them of God's love and presence.
3. Being a Christian means following Jesus' teachings through faith and action. We study the Bible, God's Word, and theology, which is how experts understand the Bible. There are two main ways to understand the Bible. Literal interpretation takes the words exactly as they are. Allegorical interpretation focuses on the deeper meaning behind the words. For example, with literal interpretation, God created the world in seven days. With allegorical interpretation, the "days" might symbolize something else, and the story's meaning is more important than the exact timeline. I think both views are important. The seven days could be literal, but the story also teaches us important lessons about God and creation.
4. Due to the Christmas season, let's skip ahead to Luke 4:31-44. We can circle back to the earlier chapters later. Let us read Luke 4:31-44 first.
Luke 4:31–34 NRSV
He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”
Luke 4:35–37 NRSV
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.
Luke 4:38–39 NRSV
After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.
Luke 4:40–41 NRSV
As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.
Luke 4:42–44 NRSV
At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
5. In this passage, Jesus begins his healing ministry after confirming his mission in Luke 4:18-19. This raises an interesting question: why was there so much sickness and demon possession in first-century Judea? Have you ever wondered about this while reading the Bible? To understand Jewish laws regarding sickness, we can look to Leviticus 13.
Leviticus 13:1–2 NLT
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “If anyone has a swelling or a rash or discolored skin that might develop into a serious skin disease, that person must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons.
Leviticus 13:3–4 (NLT)
The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean. “But if the affected area of the skin is only a white discoloration and does not appear to be more than skin-deep, and if the hair on the spot has not turned white, the priest will quarantine the person for seven days.
Leviticus 13:5–6 NLT
On the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If he finds the affected area has not changed and the problem has not spread on the skin, the priest will quarantine the person for seven more days. On the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If he finds the affected area has faded and has not spread, the priest will pronounce the person ceremonially clean. It was only a rash. The person’s clothing must be washed, and the person will be ceremonially clean.
Leviticus 13:7–8 NLT
But if the rash continues to spread after the person has been examined by the priest and has been pronounced clean, the infected person must return to be examined again. If the priest finds that the rash has spread, he must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean, for it is indeed a skin disease.
6. Despite the variety of diseases, they all follow a similar pattern in how they are managed once diagnosed by a priest. The process starts with a visit to the priest for an examination. After diagnosis, the priest determines the appropriate course of action. If the illness is not harmful, the individual can remain within the community. However, if the illness is deemed impure and contagious, the individual must be isolated from the community for a week. If the condition persists, another week of isolation is required. This pattern is familiar to us. The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 imposed isolation regulations for a year, significantly impacting our ability to connect with family and friends.
7. These regulations highlight God's intention not simply to separate the sick from the community, but to protect both from the disease. Similarly, governments worldwide implemented isolation measures during the pandemic not to restrict us from groups like churches, but to safeguard us from the virus, despite various theories and conspiracies.
8. Yet, the Gospels recount numerous healings, often occurring outside of Jerusalem. Why? The answer lies in isolation.Imagine someone falling ill and visiting a priest. The priest, recognizing a contagious disease, orders isolation from Jerusalem, the city of God's Temple. Regulations dictate a follow-up visit after a week, but the priest never comes. This neglect seems plausible since Israel never declared the year of Jubilee, signifying freedom and completion of God's work.The priests had forsaken their people.
Matthew 23:23–24 NIV
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
9. The Jewish religious leaders had neglected their duty, failing to care for their people who were suffering greatly. Jesus arrived, healing and restoring them. His purpose wasn't to establish a powerful kingdom, but to seek out the lost and bring them healing.
Luke 4:18–19 (ESV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
10. Jesus never intended the church to be a religious organization. In fact, he didn't establish any church at all. His desire was to proclaim and establish God's kingdom through his people - those who believe in him as Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, at some point, churches worldwide shifted their focus towards growth and fame. Pastors and congregations prioritized larger buildings and recognition, neglecting the spiritual well-being of their members. Believers stopped truly worshipping God and became preoccupied with their own blessings and avoiding curses. Churches lost their passion for knowing God and Jesus, leading to a spiritual decline.
11. Why are we here today? Is it for personal blessings? Out of habit? Or is it for God and His glory? I believe we're here because we desire to worship the Lord. We long to hear His voice, and worshipping Him is our top priority.
Matthew 6:32–33 NRSV
For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
12. When I prepare a sermon, I remember why I became a pastor. It wasn't for fame, but to serve the church – the body of Christ, the gathering of Jesus' followers. Being a pastor means serving God's people. I don't want to be a hypocrite like the Pharisees and scribes. The Bible isn't for me to create new revelations or rules, but to understand God's heart and Jesus' mind. Knowing God's mind is my ministry's foundation. Jesus healed the sick. He'll heal our minds to see His path, give us His purpose, and pour His strength into us for His Kingdom. Let's remember we're God's ambassadors, representing Him.