Jesus Is...

Intro

Alright friends, we are back at it tonight in the Gospel of Luke. If you have your bibles with you, go ahead and turn to Luke 18 tonight. Every week I sort of recap where we’ve been in the gospel of Luke, give you an overview of the chapters we covered, and then remind you why we are in the gospel of Luke. And tonight, I want to put just a little more emphasis on why we are in the gospel of Luke.

If you’ll remember from the previous times that I’ve recapped, I told you we are in the gospel to not only learn what Jesus taught, but to learn about Jesus himself.

Because…if we say we follow Christ, and we call our selves disciples, or christians, then it is good for us to have an understanding of who Christ is.

Tonight, I particularly wanted to bring that purpose back to your minds…because that’s the crux of this message tonight… understanding a little more of who Jesus is.

In fact, that’s the title of tonight’s message.

Jesus Is...

And the reason for this purpose tonight is that our passage reveals quite a bit about Jesus. Not only because of what is said about it…but because what he does. Let me show you what I mean, I’ll read the text, you follow along.

Luke 18:35–43 ESV

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Like I said, we will see more of who Jesus is tonight not only because of what he does…but because of what is said about him. Especially in those first three verses. In verses 35-38, we see that Jesus is..

Jesus is the Davidic King

Now, I know this may not mean a whole bunch to some of you at the moment…but let me show you how awesome it is that this blind beggar addresses Jesus as the “son of David”. You see it right there in verse 38, people call him Jesus of Nazareth…we will get to that in a moment…but the beggar cries out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

If you aren’t too familiar with God’s plan of redemption through the covenants…you might be saying..wait a minute, I thought Jesus was the son of Joseph the carpenter? Or…I thought Jesus was the son of God…not some dude in the old testament.

To that I say…yes, and no. Let me show you. I want you to turn in your bibles to 2 Samuel, chapter 7. This one is an important one…so instead of putting it on the screens…I want you to see it in your own bibles and to maybe take some notes on it if you’re that kind of person.

In this passage, 2 Samuel 7, we have the prophet Nathan going to speak to King David. That’s the same David from David and Goliath, the same David that wrote a large chunk of the Psalms, David who was the father of Solomon who collected and wrote many of the proverbs…and the same David who was called a man after God’s own heart.

That’s who the prophet Nathan is going to speak to…and he has a message from God to give to David. Let’s look at it.

2 Samuel 7:8–17 ESV

8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

There’s some awesome things that God promises David in this passage…and here they are.

A great name (v.8-9)

A place of peace for God’s people (v.10-11)

A son who’s throne will last forever (v.12-14)

God’s eternal faithful love through this son (v.13-16)

Now, I know that I’m going through this kind of quickly…and that’s because we have other points in our passage tonight to see…but it is important that you see this right here right now. If you have any questions about this, come find me or send an email and I can give you deeper resources to help understand this better…but for now…this is a good overview.

And what is it that we are seeing?

Namely…that hundreds and hundreds of years before Jesus was born…God promised something to the people of God through Nathan to King David.

And he promised, that someone would come to the people of God, through David, that would be a great name, bring peace for God’s people, would reign forever, and would carry God’s faithful and everlasting love.

And guys. David had a son…his name was Solomon. And not all these things were true about it…Solomon died. The kingdom of Israel split after his death. So clearly, Solomon wasn’t the answer to God’s promise to David…and what did that mean for the people of God?

It meant…that for hundreds of years…the people of God were waiting for God to make good on his promise.

For hundreds of years…they were looking, searching, hoping, and praying that the true son of David…the true King…the true chosen one that God would call his own son…would show up.

Year after year, generation after generation, false prophet after false prophet…each time, the people of God hoping that this would be the true son of David…and time and time again…it not happening.

Until…until Jesus.

And if you’re wondering…how do we know Jesus was the son of David, and not just some rando…I want to show you. We don’t have time to read through this entire passage, but I’ll show you in my bible. Matthew 1. The very beginning of the New Testament…what do we see?

A genealogy. And what does this genealogy show?

The genealogy of Jesus Christ…from David…to Jesus. And see what it says in verse 17 right here on the screen?

Matthew 1:17 (ESV)

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

What did we just see here? We just saw that Jesus is the fulfillment of a covenant and prophecy given hundreds of years before he was ever born. We just saw God work through the course of history to accomplish his purpose and will...

Jesus is the Davidic King...

And what should our response be to understanding that?

Be amazed.

Soak it in…reflect on it…and as an application point…just let your heart and mind be filled with the wonder of God in being able to bring that to pass…and be amazed that there is so much historical evidence to prove Jesus is who he says he is.

So…back to our passage tonight…this blind beggar what does he do?. In Luke 18.

Luke 18:36–37 ESV

36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

So this blind beggar asks what is going on…and what do people call Jesus? They call him Jesus of Nazareth…aka. Just a guy. First and last name. That’s what that was. Who is this guy? John smith. Albeit, a John Smith who can heal, and preach, lead people…but John Smith.

And in response to hearing that Jesus is there…what does this blind beggar call him?

Luke 18:38 ESV

38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

What does this beggar do, in 8 words? What he does, in 8 simple words…is not call Jesus just someone from Nazareth…but instead…calls him Jesus…son of David.

Meaning, Jesus…the son of God, the long awaited one…the promised one, the king forever, the messiah…the Christ.

In 8 words....this beggar says all that needs to be said....Jesus, you are the chosen son of God come to save God’s people…and I’m begging that you have mercy on me.

What we need to realize, is that this plea isn’t just a plea for healing…but it’s also a confession of faith. A confession that Jesus is the son of God and that this man needs his mercy.

And he doesn’t just simply say it…but he pleas. He pleas with his whole heart. Look back at verse 39.

Luke 18:39 ESV

39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This man is so convicted by what he believes…and who he believes Jesus is…that he doesn’t care that the crowd around him tells him to shut it…he knows what he needs and who he’s calling out to…he’s calling out the Davidic King…the long awaited one…and he doesn’t care who hears it…and this…this is the right thing to do. Because how does Jesus respond?

With mercy. That’s the second thing we learn about Jesus today…not only his he the Davidic King…but he’s full of mercy.

Jesus is Full of Mercy (v.39-42)

Luke 18:40–42 ESV

40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”

This poor beggar cries out to Jesus to have mercy…and Jesus does just that. He has mercy upon him.

Now the biblical understanding of mercy is this.

Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

It is within Christ’s power to allow harm to continue to come to this man through his blindness…but in mercy…in compassion…and in forgiveness…Christ takes that away from him. Christ is merciful.

And he’s merciful to those who have faith. Look at what he says at the end of verse 42…”you faith has made you well”.

Meaning…that faith in Christ as the Davidic King, faith in Christ as the son of God, was the vehicle God used to show his mercy towards this blind beggar.

So, what we learn in this passage is that Jesus is Full of Mercy. And what should our response be to this understand of Jesus?

Seek it.

Jesus is full of mercy..so seek it. Seek his mercy the way this man sought it. Be amazed by Jesus being the Davidic king, and in response, continually seek his mercy on your life. His compassion on your life. His forgiveness on your life.

Because…Jesus is full of the same mercy that he showed this man of faith.

But he’s not just full of mercy…he’s also full of power.

Jesus is full of power.

Luke 18:42–43 (ESV)

42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight...

Now note…there’s no spells, no incantations, no lasic eye surgery, no medicines, not consultations…none of that.

What is there? Just the simple command. A command as simple as when God spoke creation into existence in Genesis with “let there be light”…

Except instead of “let there be light” what does he say? “Recover your sight”.

It’s a command that’s just as simple…and just as powerful.

Because it says…immediately…immediately…the man recovered his sight.

What does this show us?

It shows us that the same God who works throughout the course of human history to accomplish his plan…the same God who is full of mercy…is the same God who is all powerful. And that power, is found in Christ.

And I know what some of you are thinking…Cody, this is an obvious point. I already know that God is all powerful. That’s theology 101.

And to that I say…yes. You’re right. It is no surprise that Christians believe God is all powerful…but our application point tonight is not just to know it…it actually to not forget it.

Don’t forget it.

You see, because of the beautiful relationship God allows us to have with Christ…because of the spirit within us, and God’s love shown towards us…we enter into an intimate relationship with Christ…but that means that sometimes we forget just how powerful he really is.

And because we forget it, or become callous to it, or just don’t really believe it in the first place…we stop asking for it. We stop asking and trusting for his power in our lives. We don’t act like the beggar here…but instead act like the crowd who makes Jesus this commonplace man by calling him Jesus of Nazareth.

We let Jesus become so commonplace in our lives that we not only stop seeing and seeking his power…but we sometimes discourage others to seek it as well.

Maybe not even intentionally…but it does happen.

You have a friend going through something extremely difficult, what do you do?

Give them a book to read. Find them a conselor. Take them out and make them feel better with some good friendship...

None of those things are wrong in themselves…but how often do we suggest and encourage these things as a replacement for God’s power in our lives rather than an agent of God’s power.

Like…God can use a book to impact us…he can use the body of fellowship of believers…God can use counseling....all those things can be used to show God’s power to shape us and mold us and change us.

But…we don’t always suggest those things because we have a sincere belief that God is powerful and he uses those things to show his power…rather, we suggest them because we believe that the power is in those things.

And so, the encouragement tonight is don’t forget that the God you call upon, that you say has saved your soul…don’t forget how powerful he really is…and don’t let that become commonplace...

But rather, acknowledge his power in your life, seek him as the one who is all powerful…and encourage others to know and see his wonder working power in their lives.

Yes, give them a book to read. Find them a counselor. Take them out and make them feel better with some good friendship…but do it because you have a sincere belief in the power of your God to use those things as instruments for his work, not forgetting the power that he has not only shown in your life…but the power that he has right here in the scripture to not only heal a man from blindness…but to do it a few simple words..

And, don’t forget his power when it comes to failing in those things. Don’t forget, that when a friend goes astray, that the power is not in you being able to fix them through friendship, prayer, scripture, an so on…but rather the power lies in God. It’s in his strength that we do things and it’s his strength and power that accomplishes the work, not ours…and friends, not forgetting that Jesus is full of power should bring us some major relief. That it’s not all on us.

So...

Jesus is the Davidic king, be amazed.

Jesus is full of mercy, seek it.

Jesus is full of power, don’t forget it.

And last...

Jesus is a reason to worship (v. 43b)

Look back at verse 43.

Luke 18:43 ESV

43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

The knew it back then when this happened…and we should certainly know it now…Jesus is a reason to worship.

And our application to that...

Get to it.

And what I mean by get to it…is start putting this into practice right now. For your whole life. Whether it be the worship of God in your devotionals…or the worship of God through song here on Thursdays or on Sunday mornings.

And here’s what I’m trying to say.

Your mood is not the reason to worship. Like, how you’re feeling when you come into a Thursday night…is not the driving force of why you worship. Don’t get me wrong…our emotions can be a catalyst to worship…like, they can spur us on to worship more passionately…but, they should never be a deterrent.

Because while you’re mood or emotions, or even life situations may make it harder or easier to worship God…they are not the reason you worship.

Jesus is the reason to worship.

Who he is…being the davidic king, fulfillment of prophecies and savior of God’s people.

And what he’s done. Opening your eyes to see salvation just like he opened the eyes of the blind man.

And I think…no, I sincerely have a biblical conviction…that if there’s something that will benefit you the rest of your lives with Christ here on this earth…it would be for you to sharpen your discipline in letting Jesus be your reason for worship and not the environment you’re in.

If you can become disciplined in focusing on Christ for the reason you do your devotions, the reason you serve, the reason you share the gospel, and the reason you sing in Church…If you can do that rather than letting your work day be the reason or deterrent, or your friendships, or even the musical style.

Like I know I’ve said this before…but if you walk into a church and they are playing a style of worship that you don’t “resonate” with, yet they have biblical lyrics…what reason for worship is that communicating?

In that moment, you’re letting your preference be the reason why you do or do not worship.

But I promise you…if you can let Jesus be the reason for worship, then you’re never going to lack to worship him wherever you are, through any musical style, or in any life circumstances.

Cause what does it say in this scripture?

When they saw it…they glorified God.

When they saw Christ working, when they viewed him for who he was…their natural response was to glorify God.

So…we’ve learned some good things about Jesus tonight.

Jesus is

The davidic king.

Full of mercy.

Full of power.

And a reason to worship.