Help, I Need Somebody

Problem in the Text Page One

God has always sought to be with His people. We see in the Old Testament that God instructs Israel to build a tabernacle that He could dwell or be with His people. When we look at the construction of the Tabernacle, we see that it was in the middle of the Israelite camp. God wanted to be in the midst of His people. We see this very desire of God being expressed in the life of Jesus. When we look at the first story that Luke mentions in chapter 5, we see Jesus with people teaching them. We also then see Him call Simon Peter. Peter’s response to Jesus was, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” .

This response reminds me of Adam and Eve hiding away from God after they had eaten the fruit causing them to sin and separating themselves from God. Luke continues to develop this idea of Jesus wanting to be with His people when He heals a leper who is cut off from society. Leprosy was the worst disease one could get as it was seen as a direct judgement from God. But despite this Jesus still goes to him an outcast and does the unthinkable and touches him.

In the Scripture reading we see again that Jesus is among people teaching them and Luke describes the group present as Pharisees and teachers of the law came from all the town around Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. It is interesting to read in And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Luke only mentions these two groups. We could say that there were others but they are not mentioned. This would mean that the power of the Lord was there to heal who? Yes, the power was there to heal the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.

he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

In the Scripture reading we see again that Jesus is among people teaching them and Luke describes the group present as Pharisees and teachers of the law came from all the town around Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. It is interesting to read in and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Luke only mentions these two groups. We could say that there were others, but they are not mentioned. This would mean that the power of the Lord was there to heal who? Yes, the power was there to heal the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.

This paralytic is brought to this house but is unable to get to Jesus due to the crowd of people. The Pharisees and teachers of the law. He is separated from Jesus and can not push through. The crowed whom the Jesus wants to heal can represent their separation from Jesus as they prevent the paralytic from getting in. What we see here is Jesus seeing the need of the crowd and having the power to touch their lives. But, sadly those there do not see they need help, they do not see they need somebody. They had become self sufficient.

And the power of the Lord was present to heal them

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

This paralytic is brought to this house but is unable to get to Jesus due to the crowd of people. The Pharisees and teachers of the law. He is separated from Jesus and cannot push through. The crowed whom the Jesus wants to heal can represent their separation from Jesus as they prevent the paralytic from getting in. What we see here is Jesus seeing the need of the crowd and having the power to touch their lives. But sadly, those there do not see they need help, they do not see they need somebody. They had become self-sufficient.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Problem in the World Page Two

The world today is all about independence. We are part of this world. We also desire independence. From a young age we can see that children start to push back from their parents as they try and figure life out for themselves. This is not a bad or wrong thing. where life takes a turn for the worse is when we feel that we can do life without God or the church. At times we begin to think that God is not relevant any more or even that church is not relevant. In doing this we begin to separate ourselves from God. We begin to think that there are more important things to do than to spend time with God or more important social things to do than to go to church.

says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Paul encourages us here not to separate ourselves from each other and God. The advice given is that the closer we get to the Second Coming of Jesus the more His children should gather together.

However, we can become like the Pharisees. We can become separated. This is what their name means, “separated ones.” We can easily separate our selves from church because we do not really like who is there or how church is done. We step away because we feel that what we get is not relevant. The world teaches that we do not need anyones help. We feel this especially when we are younger. But the reality is that we need help. We need God and we need His Church.

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

However, we can become like the Pharisees. We can become separated. This is what their name means, “separated ones.” We can easily separate ourselves from church because we do not really like who is there or how church is done. We step away because we feel that what we get is not relevant. The world teaches that we do not need anyone’s help. We feel this especially when we are younger. But the reality is that we need help. We need God and we need His Church.

Solution in the Text Page Three

Solution in the Text Page Three

While Luke creates the separation issue at the same time, he give the answer to the problem. The obvious answer is that Jesus is the solution. He is the only one who can help the man with leprosy, He is the one who has the power to touch the lives of those listening to His teachings. Jesus puts it right out there by saying in , “Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” We can think that the term Son of Man is Jesus identifying with us. It points to the humanity of Jesus. It is Jesus saying that He is one with us, that He partakes in our trials and tribulations. But there is more it. The term Son of Man has its roots in Daniel where He is sent by the Ancient of Days, God. Luke recognizes who Jesus is claiming Himself to be. Jesus is saying that I come from the throne room of God, I am God. Luke shows that Jesus has linked heaven and earth through the genealogy of Jesus by saying that Jesus is the Son of God. Luke is saying that Jesus has a special concern for all those that were in the room that day. Even though the religious leads felt that they were not in a position of need. Even though they felt that they were not out casts like the paralytic Jesus was trying to get across to them that they need help.

They need to believe that Jesus could save them through their faith in Him. says, “when He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” It was then not only the faith of the paralyzed man but also the faith of his friends that Jesus saw as He looked up that prompted Him to say, “your sins are forgiven.” It took a community of friends to heal the paralytic if it were not for that group he would not have gotten to Jesus. Getting the help from Jesus was not just about his physical healing by also Jesus wanted him to live a life free from sin and the guilt of sin. As the man was freed from his sin he could live in the newness of life. Luke points out that as a result of his wholistic healing he was able to walk always glorifying God. The healing of this man is sharply contrasted to that of the religious leaders in attendance. They did not believe that Jesus was who He had claimed to be. They did not let the Spirit of God move on them. And, once the man was forgiven there was sharp criticism of Jesus. Thereby further cutting themselves off from God.

They need to believe that Jesus could save them through their faith in Him. says, “when He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” It was then not only the faith of the paralyzed man but also the faith of his friends that Jesus saw as He looked up that prompted Him to say “your sins are forgiven.” It took a community of friends to heal the paralytic if it were not for that group he would not have gotten to Jesus. Getting the help from Jesus was not just about his physical healing by also Jesus wanted him to live a life free from sin and the guilt of sin. As the man was freed from his sin he could live in the newness of life. Luke points out that as a result of his wholistic healing he was able to walk aways glorifying God.

Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”

Peter in :11forsook all and followed Him, the leper in immediately goes out and proclaims what Jesus had done. The paralytic picks up the litter, his burden, his testimony, and praised God. The calling of Matthew in , tax collector, who is also a sinner one cut of, one according to the Pharisees not deserving of salvation is called. He gets up and follows and invites Jesus to a dinner with all his friends. The joy of all these who have received Jesus and salvation stand in sharp contrast to the attitude of the religious leaders. They needed help, someone to help, He was there but they did not accept.

When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

The healing of this man is sharply contrasted to that of the religious leaders in attendance. They did not believe that Jesus was who He had claimed to be. They did not let the Spirit of God move on them. And, once the man was forgiven there was sharp criticism of Jesus. Thereby further cutting themselves off from God.

Solution In the World Page Four

Peter in forsook all and followed Him, the leper in immediately goes out and proclaims what Jesus had done. The paralytic pick up the litter, his burden, his testimony, and praised God. The calling of Matthew in , tax collector, who is also a sinner one cut of, one according to the Pharisees not deserving of salvation is called. He gets up and follows, and invites Jesus to a dinner with all his friends.

We can be one of two people. The choice is yours. We can be the Pharisees and block off the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and we can also become and develop attitudes like them. We can become separate and frown on those who are not like us. Or we can realize that we are all the same. We are not better than the person down the road. We are all sinners in need of Jesus.

The joy of all these who have recieved Jesus and salvation stand in sharp contrast to the attitude of the religious leaders. They needed help, someone to help, He was there but they did not accept.

On the other hand we can be the paralytic. We can see the value in the church community. We can see that if we invest in it, that being the people in the church and the church through our personal efforts and finances. The paralytic asked his friends for help and they helped. It was through the friends that this man was brought to Jesus. Church is to be a place where people can find Jesus and respond to Him. The response of the healing and forgiving power of Jesus should compel us to leave the church and live a life of joy. We should be overjoyed of what Jesus has done for us that we can do nothing else but share what we have recieved from Him. Peter followed, the man with leprosy told all as he when down the street. The paralytic got up at the command of Jesus to live in newness of life and carried his testimony with. Matthew also rose up and brought his friends to Jesus.

As we go home and wonder what to do with this sermon my wish for us all is. That like Peter we will see we are sinners, but may we be willing to be cleansed like the leper, allowing the power of God to impact our lives that we may live in the newness of life bring others into this new life that we have by bring Jesus to them.

On the other hand, we can be the paralytic. We can see the value in the church community. We can see that if we invest in it, that being the people in the church and the church through our personal efforts and finances. The paralytic asked his friends for help and they helped. It was through the friends that this man was brought to Jesus. Church is to be a place where people can find Jesus and respond to Him. The response of the healing and forgiving power of Jesus should compel us to leave the church and live a life of joy. We should be overjoyed of what Jesus has done for us that we can do nothing else but share what we have received from Him. Peter followed, the man with leprosy told all as he when down the street. The paralytic got up at the command of Jesus to live in newness of life and carried his testimony with. Matthew also rose up and brought his friends to Jesus.

As we go home and wonder what to do with this sermon my wish for us all is. That like Peter we will see we are sinners, but may we be willing to be cleansed like the leper, allowing the power of God to impact our lives that we may live in the newness of life bring others into this new life that we have by bring Jesus to them. We all need help in life, we need someone Jesus is that person that can help us, may we look for and accept His help this week.

Amen