2.2.6 1.5.2020 (WJCTT He touches the Untouchable) He Heals them Luke 5.17-26

Entice: We have experiences with holes in the roof don’t we? It is shocking when damage and the elements open and then expand a hole; it can get expensive and annoying. Particularly when there is difficulty in getting and keeping them closed. And here is a story featuring a hole in a roof-not an accidental or threatening hole; but a hopeful hole created by faithful, dutiful friends hoping to bring a buddy to Jesus.

Luke 5:17–26 ESV

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Engage: Last week we focused on how we could imitate Jesus. Today we will focus on how His life and ministry is related to but different from ours. This week our conversation is much more apologetic and theological in focus. While we serve Jesus and faithfully follow…we are not Him

There is a hole in our world. A hole that keeps people from finding wholeness.

There is a hole in our world.

A hole that keeps people from finding wholeness.

There is a hole in our culture…A hole that denies Jesus is God.

There is a hole in many hearts…broken by shattered dreams and paralyzed by sin.

Expand: The religious leaders of His day criticized Jesus because He did not stay in His lane. Godly people did not touch the untouchable. They did not listen to the disenfranchised, they did not help them, they did not heal them, and they certainly did not assert the prerogatives of God.

And here, Jesus shatters all those boundaries. Not because He is a better friend, more zealous, or more “religious” but because He is God and He is present.

Excite:

Explore: When Jesus comes to town…

Emmanuel-God with us-is not just a promise or a prophecy it is a reality.

Explain: How can we share in this story? Who do you line up with?

1. His friends could carry him…but they could not cure him.

1.1 They had loyalty, guts, and determination. Which led to creativity, vandalism, frustration, and failure.

1.2 They led him to a gift they were not even seeking.. because as well as they knew him they were focused on the wrong need.

2. The crowds could be amazed…but they could not assist him.

2.1 First they were an obstacle to be overcome...

2.1 First they were an obstacle to be overcome... Our culture sometimes functions this way; Umm, are we ever a similar barrier to belief?

Our culture sometimes functions this way; Umm, are we ever a similar barrier to belief?

2.2 Then they became spectators to observe.

2.2 Then they became spectators to observe. (somewhat static and unhelpful)

(somewhat static and unhelpful)

2.3 Finally they were an audience to be amazed.

3. The Pharisees could regulate him…but they could not redeem him.

3.1 They prioritized policy over people.

3.2 They prioritized appearance over action.

3.3 They prioritized their understanding of God to the actual presence of God?!?!

Only Jesus could heal his disease and save him from Sin.

Jesus related to him...

Jesus related to him

not as a friend,

not as a good person,

not as a religious person,

not as an attentive person,

not as a noble person.

Not just as a member of the mob

Jesus related to him as God.

Because that's who Jesus is.

Shut Down:

When Jesus comes to town…He challenges the assumptions about right behavior.

When Jesus comes to town…He can heal what is physically broken and restore health.

When Jesus comes to town…He enables the most profound miracle of all…forgiveness from sin leading to eternal life.