Jesus The Greater: Luke 5:33-6:49

Big Point: Because Jesus has brought a New Covenant, you can live righteously.

Review Question from TWO weeks ago: What was the long portion of Luke we looked at last week?

1. Greater Wine — The New Covenant in Christ
 Luke 5:33-39

- I may not be the oldest one in this room, but I am old enough to remember VHS tapes when I was a young boy. Specifically, I remember the purple Barney the Dinosaur VHS tapes that my mom would put on the t.v from time to time.

- Quickly, DVD’s killed VHS tapes, My parents were really into movies at the time of DVD’s. We would go to blockbuster and get a movie at least once a week, then they had the DVD vending machines (redbox), but my parents amassed a huge collection of DVD’s & CD’s that filled the entertainment center cabinet.

When streaming killed DVD’s and CD’s, my parents quickly had a lot of useless discs. It wasn’t long until all disc players were no more and no one would use them. No matter how hard one tries, a DVD isn’t going into a T.V anymore unless you buy some outdated DVD player — but then it’s so much of inconvenience because all movies can be streamed in a click!

transition: Today we will look at how Jesus has brought a better covenant. In all ways, the way of Christ was better than any other way. There was no path that could compete or come close to what Jesus offered. Jesus in this section will very clearly show what His way looks like, and how it’s carried out.

read: Luke 5:33-35

context:

Jesus’ ministry is now in full swing: he’s healing people, he’s calling men to be His disciples, He’s teaching and preaching the gospel.

At first, it’s clear that Jesus is well received by all of the people. How could anyone deny that this man was from God in the things he was doing before their very eyes?

He was gracious, he was caring, but in this section the boldness of Christ is on full display. Note: that Jesus is already bucking against the grain. The Pharisee’s take issue with who Jesus is hanging out with (tax collectors and low rung members of society) and who he is doing these miracles for (the sick, the lame — the cast outs)

They also don’t like the authority he’s claiming to have. Telling a man his sins are forgiven.

This is the section that the pharisee’s strive further in their disagreement with Christ and begin to openly question what he’s doing. They’re raising skepticism, they making judgements on his ministry: and they feel validated to do so.

teaching:

The pharisee’s ask Jesus why his disciples are not living like the great example of the pharisee’s or even the followers of John who is highly regarded.

Why is it that the these “great men of God”, the pharisee’s, live their lives as ascetics: those who deny themselves of worldly pleasures so they can be holy and suffer for God — but Jesus and His followers are eating and drinking and being merry?

Why are they enjoying pleasures in life and basically not acting like the pharisee’s?

Jesus answers them immediately with a parable, but also he takes the long approach of showing them what he means through life circumstance in the passages we are going to look at in a moment.

Immediately Jesus say’s to them: John’s disciples fasted because in anticipation of the bridegroom, but my disciples don’t fast because I’ve arrived, here I am! It’s a time to celebrate for now — the mourning and the fasting for my disciples will come later and it will be great.

Then Jesus, as He does, teaches them a profound truth in a parable.

read: Luke 5:36-39

the bridegroom as arrived, so no need to fast right now: who fasts at a wedding?

But also Jesus has come and brought something new. He’s brought a covenant that is a better covenant that is going to cause about true transformation in people (which will be seen in a minute).

What Jesus is essentially saying through this parable is this: I am a new piece of clothing, and I bring new wine.

Your ways, and this religion that you’ve created from the true religion God gave you is old, it’s outdated and it’s being graciously replaced with something far better.

similar to who fasts at a wedding — who cuts a new article of clothing and stitches it on an old article of clothing? Who puts brand new wine in an old wineskin that is going to burst?

none of that makes any sense at all! Nor does the pharisee’s view on Christ.

What they want to do, is they want to fit Jesus and His new and better way into their old and false way of religion.

They want to make Jesus into their mold so they might use Him for their selfish gain, and Jesus says’ do you see how backwards this all is? You think you have it right, but you have it backwards!

application:

Once more, I said it two weeks ago, I will say it again: you must be reminded of the gospel continually. But just before I am going to encourage you in the wonderful good news of what Christ has done: you must reminded of what you were or still are if you don’t have true faith in Christ.

You were or you are just like the pharisee’s. These men are easy to demonize, in fact what they did was demonic. They sought the glory of God Himself for their own sakes, and they crucified the Son of God out and jealousy and false contempt.

But do you not realize that apart from Christ you’ve also sought that glory for yourself and you also would accuse Christ?

Sinful people do it subtly, but when you think about it, it’s not all that subtle. You want to be the center of attention, you think the world is all about you, you put yourself first and when you put others first it’s because it looks good on you! And how do i know that you do that? Because I do that and all humans do that — because we are sinful in nature

And just like the pharisee’s you’ve surely doubted Christ. Why does this bad thing happen? Why does this good thing not happen? That same heart that questions God, doubts God, and resists the ministry of God.

Some of you perhaps are in that state and have never recognized you are actively resisting God: recognize it now, and know that this resistance must be killed and submission to Christ must come alive in your soul.

For others, you do submit to Christ — but none of us are without the habit of falling back into old ways when the going get’s tough and we just don’t understand.

Be encouraged in this: the same Christ who saved you now saves you, and will save you on that last day.

The ministry of Jesus through His Holy Spirit is alive in well in the hearts of God’s people. So he did secure your salvation on that cross. Each new day he keeps that salvation through keeping you in faith, and one day these things come to their consummate end: He will glorify you and take your sins forevermore away.

2. A Greater Lord — The True Guarantor  Luke 6:1-11

There are two more stories for you to look at below Jesus’ parable. I would argue that these instances below carry the same message above, but in a drawn out way that Jesus illustrates physically.

For the sake of time, I am going to summarize this section, but what you should know now is that Jesus not only brought a new a better way through this new covenant: But also Jesus is the Lord of this new way.

He’s the master of this New Covenant and even greater He’s the Guarantor of it. And you make ask the question, what is a guarantor? the simple definition is that Guarantor is someone who covers the debt of someone else when they fail to pay it.

When I was 18 I wanted to get a new car: but I had no credit to get a car loan. My dad had great credit and he agreed to sign on the car loan so I could get a new car.

This is a huge portion of trust the bank has in my dad because if I failed to pay the bill: he would be at fault for it.

Now, my dad was willing to do this because I’ve always been responsible that he was confident I wouldn’t betray him by putting him in a situation

But do you want to know why Jesus is a better Guarantor than my dad, or anyone on this earth?

Because Jesus enters into a covenant knowing that the other side has already failed. They’ve accrued a mass of debt that is so steep and so much they could never pay it off no matter how hard or how long they worked to do so.

Jesus know’s that he will HAVE to pay this debt and the only way to do it is to offer His entire self.

So as I summarize this section, I want to keep in your mind that Jesus is the greater Lord. The big picture is not so much a simple dispute of what’s allowable or forbidden on the Sabbath, the bigger picture is who should you make your covenant with?

The Law which is ultimately yourself and the good works you think can do or the one who fulfills the law?

Side-note: The Law of God in itself is wonderful — God has given the Law to guide people and show them the way of righteousness, as well expose sin.

The law as a rule for living is good to follow: but making a covenant with that Law and seeking to be saved by your work in that Law is fools gold. This is what is in contrast in this section.

The pharisees seek to rigidly follow the Law (based on their own terms), while Jesus declares Himself the Lord of the Sabbath and ultimately the Law.

In chapter 6:1-11 Jesus does two things on the Sabbath.

In vv. 1-5 Jesus’s disciples are picking heads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath.

When the pharisee’s once more accuse Christ and his followers, that this is not lawful — Jesus tells them plainly He is the Lord of the Law. Meaning, he’s the one who actually interprets the Law perfectly.

His disciples are not doing anything sinful, because it was not a sinful matter in the first place to eat food on the Sabbath, the Pharisee’s just tried to make it sinful in their own false interpretation.

Secondly in vv. 6-11 Jesus does a miracle in front of many when He heals a withered hand, but the drama is that He did it on the Sabbath.

They falsely assumed that healing on the Sabbath is a form of work and sinful. But Jesus corrects their false notion and then heals a man with a withered hand.

It’s not unlawful to do good on the Sabbath, and it’s not unlawful for God to do whatever he pleases on the Sabbath — he’s made it! So, he is the decider of what is allowable and what’s not

teaching:

Once more: the bigger picture is that there is a great conflict happening in this section.

Should be trust Christ who fulfills the Law or should they trust themselves to fulfill the Law?

The heart of the pharisee’s is to ignore the assumption that Christ does what we wants to on the sabbath and that means what he does is right and holy: and they try to put forth their interpretation of the Law above God’s.

It sounds crazy, but this is what is happening!

application:

Jesus is the greater Guarantor. You will fail yourself in your strivings and workings, and the Law will not save you.

It will show you your sin, but it also will condemn you in your sin.

You need a true Guarantor. One who will come and pay your debt for your sins. One who will be Lord in your life.

3. A Greater Vision —A Better understanding through Christ’s light Luke 6:12-26

Jesus continues in ministry work in this next section. In vv. 12-16 Jesus calls His 12 disciples. Those who would be nearest to Him and commit themselves to full time ministry work under Him.

Then in vv. 17-19 Jesus has a large crowd around Him and Jesus heals many in that crowd.

read: Luke 6:20-26

context:

These are of course the Beatitudes, but they are summarized compared to how Matthew describes them.

Their is a clear contrast in the beatitudes as shown here between two sections of people.

The first section are those who very clearly posses a humble spirit.

You are blessed if you are poor, you will receive the kingdom of God. You are blessed if you are hungry, you will soon be satisfied. You are blessed if you weep, you will laugh. You will be blessed if you are hated for Christ’s name, you will receive a great reward in heaven.

but on the contrary: woe to the rich, woe to those who are full, woe to those who laugh, woe to those considered highly.

teaching:

and here is the essential teaching to what is going on here.

Jesus is using physical examples to give clear spiritual teaching.

The physical can at times be reflective of the spiritual.

What is evidenced by the physical standing is showing something deep inside the souls of the people Jesus is talking to.

Those who do not put their faith in riches, they will have greater spiritual riches.

Those who do not find their end in the physical pleasure of this life like eating good food, they will actually be satisfied spiritually.

Those who understand the seriousness of sin and weep over it, they will one day truly laugh with joy when it is defeated.

Those who are reviled for the sake of Christ, they will be exalted in heaven with a great reward.

It’s not that Jesus is condemning people who get rich or eat delicious food or laugh — Jesus is condemning people who put their faith and trust in those things over God!

They would seek their own comforts and temporary joys in this fading world over seeking Christ the Son of God.

Woe to them, they should be warned!

application:

There is a much better and much greater understanding of how you are to live once you see the light of Christ.

Because God has changed the desires of your heart, it has become your natural state to not seek the things of this world, but to seek Christ alone.

The beatitudes are so wonderful because they very clearly give you something to take an chew on.

Do you recognize my spiritual poorness. The fact that without Christ you are truly nothing? Do you recognize that their is a far greater hunger than the one your belly has everyday: there is a spiritual hunger that seeks true spiritual satisfaction. Do you see the plight and evils of sin in this world and in our life, and does it cause good and godly grief in your soul? Do others know your standing in Christ? Do you look different than the world you find yourself in?

These simple questions are like a telescope into your soul. They very well show you spiritual life or spiritual death.

4. Greater Living — A new obedience in Christ Luke 6:27-42

But here is what’s more: the beatitudes in this section are so helpful, but Christ actually gives you your marching orders in the next section.

DO the beatitudes show you how you are in Christ? Well then see what Jesus calls on you to do in vv. 27-42 (Read)

context:

What beautiful and supernatural words those are: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

This section is very much so about a greater living in Christ. There is a striving and a challenge given to the people of God to live in a way that is unlike any other.

teaching:

This is NOT the default for human beings. Quite the opposite actually. The default for humans is revenge: it is getting people back. A wrong for a wrong.

Worse — we as humans feel justified in doing so! They did this, so then they deserve this.

But the word of God is not silent on this: God is the one who gets ultimate vengeance and He gets it in a way far better than our puny attempts could ever try.

The call on those in Christ in this section is very simple: be gracious, have mercy.

The section is not calling on you to not be brave, and to stick up and speak out when their is injustice that happens in your life: but this section teaches you the Spirit you are to maintain in every situation.

You are to maintain a spirit of love, abundant love, a spirit of true mercy like the mercy God gives to you!

application:

do you realize that you can replace the subject in this sentence with you and God?

God loved you when you were his enemy. He was good to you when you hated him, he blessed you when you cursed Him, he died for you while you were yet a sinner!

So how can you and I go forth hating anyone? How can we treat others so poorly when God has treated us mercifully and graciously?

How can you look at those who curse you in any other way than knowing they’re blind, they’re stumbling in darkness — they need that same light you found in Christ!

Don’t you see, that the greatest way to show love to those who are sinners is to show them the gospel that took you from your state of sin to the state of grace?

Don’t lose sight of what you were, what Christ has made you into, and how you should not treat those around you.

5. Greater Fruit — A clearer evidence from Christ Luke 6:43-49

Lastly, let’s read these last 6 verses: 6:43-49

Remember the big point: because Jesus has brought the new covenant, you can live righteously.

Today in the study of this scripture: you can see the flow of Luke’s writing — Jesus brought the New Covenant. The better covenant. The Covenant that he makes with people where he takes their sin and he gives them his righteousness.

Jesus is the better Guarantor, because he actually can pay the debt that your sin has made. The Law and you working and trying your hardest could never pay that debt. Only the blood of Christ which he spilled on the cross could.

Further, because of this new covenant, there is a better vision for what it means to be a Christian. Christians are those who have been made humble. They don’t seek the riches of this world, but they seek Christ.

You then are called to go and live out a life that reflects Christ’s: living mercifully and graciously to the people around you.

But lastly, although there are many ways you can be assured of what God has done in you, the clearest given is in this last passage.

Good trees that are alive and well produce good fruit. Bad trees that are decayed and diseased produce bad fruit.

If in Christ you have been given the medicine needed to heal you from your infirmities. You were a tree sickened with a disease, and no matter how hard you tried you could only produce that which was natural: bad fruit.

But Christ came and made you new, and so now you actually love Him, serve Him, and seek to do good for Him — not for yourself.

If you are sitting in your seat today and you never realized that your standing before Christ was awful. Than hear the good news: Jesus can turn you from being a a self-centered person in love with worldly pleasure and selfish gain — a bad tree that produces bad fruit into a redeemed person — someone who has been washed clean, who has been given the antidote to sin, someone who loves God and truly loves the people around themselves.

God can do this miracle and he promises to do this miracle to all those he calls to Himself through the gospel.

DO you hear His call today? Turn from your sin — turn from that love of stuff and yourself and turn to Christ.

Seek Him and His kingdom and know that He is good!

Let’s pray.