Center of Controversy

They Watched Him Closely.......

Jesus often found himself at the center of attention, there was a curiosity that drew people to Christ.

What would He do (heal, teach, preform some other miracle)

Who would he make mad? (Religious Rulers, rabbis, lawyers, government officials)

in our text they were watching him closely. The they is an important part to understand- the they in this passage are those who want to find fault with Christ- Whether they be Pharisees, lawyers, rabbis, or the religious elites, these people wanted to find fault with Christ.

Jesus had already pronounced woes against the Pharisees and lawyers in Luke 11. So this group is threatened by him and determined to find a reason of fault with him. Its called power plays and many of churches have been sidelined because of it.

Oh that we would watch him closely- but rather that we would be attentive to him, desirous of his teaching, pliable to his molding, receptive of his rebukes, and committed by his overwhelming love.

The Man with Dropsy: (Luke 14:2)

Almost entered as a side bar in this story line- as the people were watching Jesus did anyone notice the man with dropsy?

People were aware of the man with dropsy’s presence-thus the reason they watched Jesus-but did they really see the man with dropsy?

There hunger to catch Jesus in error to the law was so palatable that a contention could be made that they had no appetite for compassion toward this man in his plight. (He had abnormal swelling or water retention-it is a debilitating condition- he could be struggling to breathe depending on the severity-his flesh could be weeping-his flesh could be breaking open-it was an obvious condition that surely meant displeasure and risk of life to the one suffering)

Jesus Responded: (Luke 14:3)

Jesus responded meaning that he knew what was on their minds as to why they were watching him so closely. They all were waiting to see if he would do the controversial thing and heal this man on the Sabbath. Perhaps someone was waiting to yell out- there are 6 days to be healed, come be healed on those days but dont do it on the Sabbath. Luke 13:14

Luke 13:14 ESV

But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.”

2. Jesus would not stop His mission because someone’s legalism or personal preference might be trampled on. He asked the very pointed question-”is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” No one said a word- why? Because in their view it was not lawful- that constituted work and no one was allowed to work on the Sabbath and that included healing. Jesus obviously did not agree with this assessment: Luke 14:4

Luke 14:4 (ESV)

But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away.

3. Jesus would not conceded but rather faced the controversy head on. there were more important things going on besides the legalistic dogma regarding what constituted keeping or breaking the Sabbath. There was a poor soul trapped in suffering that needed to be set free. Jesus saw the man for who he was- a human being in need of healing. He wasn’t someone to be shunned or used as a game piece in a political game. He was in need and Jesus met that need, despite what others thought or wanted.

Stop the hypocrisy!

Jesus called them out! Luke 14:5

Luke 14:5 ESV

And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?”

2. They were willing to make exceptions to their rules when it effected them personally or their pocketbooks. If the rule can be excepted then is the rule a rule?

3. It is obvious that Jesus silienced his critics for now as they could not reply to what was done. No one could argue with the common sense- pointed and bold response that Jesus Christ displayed. He acted with Compassion and real conviction. He wasn't doing the things he done because traditions warranted it but rather he was ministering because the need was great and He was full of love and mercy.

Take Aways:

1) We can let personal preference and our legalistic dogma prevent us from ministering effectively.

2) We can quench the Spirit and not be obedient because of fear of labels others will put on us. We don't want to be Controversial.

3) We need to have eyes wide open that see with compassion and reacts with Mercy.

4) We don’t need permission to do what we know in our heart is right.