The Astonishing Christ

If the lost are won to Christ it will be because of the astonishing love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and grace that we Christians show to people who do not deserve it. We will not lead everyone to Christ but we can try. The results are determined by Christ. He does not call us to be successful; just to be obedient.

Touching the Untouchable

King James Version Chapter 7

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

8 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

The Background:

Not only was his message astonishing (8:3)( the Sermon on the Mount) but so was his actions.

Notice the mans actions verse 2

He worships first. He acknowledges Christ power to heal. The man does not make a demand.

The man does not make a demand.

Touch - to fasten one's self to, adhere to, cling to

V3 Touch - to fasten one's self to, adhere to, cling to

When Christ touches you will never be the same. He never takes you back to where you were; He always moves you forward.

The disease worked slowly and painfully but the power of God worked immediately. So does the work of sin; but Gods cure (forgiveness) is immediate.

8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Loving the unlovable

"You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

5:45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Changes the unchangeable

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him

Forgiving the unforgivable

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.