Unexpected Jesus

Unexpected Jesus - Luke 5:27-39

INTRO: Was Jesus a maverick or just unexpected?

***Some of you probably fancy yourselves as mavericks, a bit unorthodox and independent-minded in your thinking. You don’t do what’s expected of you because you’re not convinced that such an expectation is a right one. And admittedly, you probably sometimes just go contrary to expectation to prove that you can and won’t blindly follow orders or merely follow the masses.

We’ve got one of those in our house. She’s aiming for getting a rise out of us, whether it results in laughs or snarls. You react; she wins. (My underwear on her head or worn over her clothes?—check. Writing with chalk on the outside of our minivan?—check. Turning out the lights on somebody who’s in the shower?—check.) I bet many of you have hilarious examples from the mavericks in your house. - (You know, this reminds me that some day my girls are gonna grow up and the story-telling is gonna come back to bite me, when they start sharing their memories of the many times I’ve embarrassed myself.)

Our amazing and benevolent Creator has packed so much joy and mischief into her tiny energetic body and beautiful blonde head, it keeps us in stitches… and teaches us patience. This girl is an amazing and talented gift to us from God, and we love her dearly. She’s not just any maverick; she’s our maverick. And I’m as confident as I am prayerful that, as she responds to God’s grace and submits to Jesus as Lord (more and more in her life), God will use our little maverick as a humble servant leader for him.

***Now it’s true that at times Jesus goes for a bit of shock factor, but that isn’t the primary reason that he comes across as so unexpected. Jesus’ way is unanticipated exactly because the people have wrong expectations of him. Jesus does what is right, and it’s unexpected precisely because it is in fact the world that is upside-down and backwards.

In order to follow Jesus, we’re leaving behind what the world loves and what the world seeks to gain… precisely because we know we are gaining forgiveness and right-side up new life in God. And we now have the privilege of seeking to become more like our new Master and to follow his lead in calling others to this new Way.

An Unlikely Calling of an Unlikely Follower (vv. 27-28)

***What makes Levi the tax collector an unlikely candidate to be a follower of any pious rabbi?

Not only were tax collectors collaborating with Herod, who was collaborating with Rome, the occupying force, for this taxation, but they were frequently corrupt, skimming additional funds for themselves. (cf. Luke 3:12-13) - It’s pretty safe to say that the general populous of Jews really disliked these tax collectors and customs agents.

So Jesus calls the last guy anyone would have expected to be his follower.

…(connection to the previous section) Jesus’ ability to make clean what is unclean and to forgive sin...

What is likely is that Matthew had probably witnessed some of Jesus’ public teaching and healing. (probably not his first and only exposure to Jesus… This didn’t take place in a vacuum — we just don’t know the other details)

***What makes Levi’s response seem unlikely?

Levi (Matthew) responds in the last way they would have expected: He leaves everything and follows Jesus... and throws a party to celebrate!

Leon Morris states beautifully what occurs here: “We should not miss the quiet heroism in this. If following Jesus had not worked out for the fishermen, they could have returned to their trade without difficulty. But when Levi walked out of his job he was through. They would surely never take back a man who had simply abandoned his tax office. His following of Jesus was a final commitment.” Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 139–140.

Rather than moping for what he has lost in terms of material wealth, Matthew celebrates what he has gained in spiritual wealth, throwing a party and inviting others like him to meet Jesus.

- Here is powerful quote by J.C. Ryle in connection with what Matthew does: “A converted man will not wish to go to heaven alone.”

Unexpected Partying (vv. 29-30)

Actually, it isn’t really the feasting or celebrating that is unexpected at all, but the association—those with whom Jesus willingly feasts. Partying with sinners was, yep, unexpected. - Table fellowship—eating and drinking together—indicated friendship with and mutual acceptance among those who shared it.

The reaction from the scribes and Pharisees is exactly what we’d expect, and, as we saw in the last section, what Jesus anticipates. - These sticklers for the rules criticize this association. - BTW, not that Jesus’ disciples are doing anything inappropriate in their behavior at the party… - “Because the Pharisees here attack only Jesus’ table fellowship, we may be certain that Jesus and his own disciples conduct themselves properly in word, eating and drinking and so forth (e.g., they would not get drunk), whether or not all of Levi’s other guests are doing the same.” -Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 5:30.

But from their point of view the problem is simply that they are AT the party, associating (demonstrating friendship with and acceptance of) such unclean people. (This is not the way to stay spiritually clean!)

While they direct their complaint at the disciples, it is Jesus who responds directly to them. :-)

What Did You Expect? (vv. 31-30)

I didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Let me ask: When did you ever go to the doctor or the dentist precisely because you seem in perfect health? - Man, I’m feeling really great, and every part of this mortal body appears to be clicking on all cylinders. I better go to the doctor. (Now I know we do a lot of preventative medicine these days… but you see the point.)

***A physician is for those who need him. Now Jesus knows how much we need him (all of us), no matter how healthy we think we are (here he calls these the “righteous” because so they think they are). - Jesus, in his public ministry, gives a living picture of this point through his compassion and healing of those who are sick and hurting. And now too he goes even further in demonstrating his authority to make whole and forgive sin by dramatically calling Levi (Matthew), who is nearly everybody’s outcast, to be his follower and become a fisher of men (one who catches more followers).

***The soil here is rich for application, so let’s till it further to be sure our hearts also prove fertile soil for these seeds of truth to take root:

“Jesus’ example teaches the church community that they need to seek and associate with the outcast as a part of their mission.” (Bock, 489) - A heart for those who need healing… and about the hearts of those who seek healing (recognition of need)...

Jesus offers an outstretched hand, but he is calling them to turn to God. - In other words, Jesus had compassion on the outcast without blanket acceptance as if a sinful way of life is ok. It isn’t. The call is, in all cases, to turn to God and leave behind our sinful ways and worldly pursuits. (This is repentance.)

Levi is one such outcast who understands the call Jesus makes on his life and sees what he gains. He therefore not only leaves everything to follow Jesus, but he then also begins immediately introducing others to Jesus. Come to this party and hear Jesus.

The scribes and Pharisees are too concerned about so-called separation from uncleanness to help those in need. (reminds us of the Parable of the Good Samaritan) - The greater dramatic irony of course is that we know full well that these ones who are religious in fact need forgiveness through Jesus as much as anyone else. They just don’t know it.

The next section offers further explanation as the traditionalists levy corresponding complaints against Jesus’ disciples.

And significantly, “This discussion leads Jesus to declare that a new era is present and that many in the old order will not respond to it.” (Bock, 502)

Time for Feasting or Fasting? - the Bridegroom Is Here Now (vv. 33-35)

***The accusation is leveled against Jesus’ disciples that they appear to be considerably less pious than John’s disciples or those of the Pharisees. - “Although the Old Testament commanded many more feasts than fasts, fasting had become a widespread Jewish practice; Pharisees often fasted twice a week.” Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 5:33.

Fasting was intended for things such as penitence (sorrow over sin), for times of mourning, and especially for fervent prayer. It was not intended as a religious display of self-discipline, of not indulging in physical appetites (asceticism). - Problematically, it is clear that the Jewish religious elite were in fact doing that very thing, and Jesus taught against it. - See Matthew 6:16-18 in the context of the chapter.

It’s not fasting itself that is the problem. Really it’s the misuse of fasting for showing your religiosity that Jesus distances himself from. —> Note the contrast: Jesus won’t distance himself from sinners who need a physician, but he will increasingly distance himself from practices that are for religious show and not for true repentance and submission in sincere relationship with God.

Although rarely mentioned, Jesus himself did in fact fast at times in conjunction with prayer. As would his disciples, but certainly they would do so more in his absence.

-Anyway, since Jesus as the teacher is responsible for the behavior of his disciples, the insinuation is clearly aimed at him.

***Jesus answers their accusation, that his disciples behave impiously by not fasting and not having as many set times for prayers, with a question of his own. - v. 34

The implication is clear: Jesus is the bridegroom, and the wedding is a time for celebration and feasting, not fasting and mourning. - “Wedding feasts required seven days of festivity; one was not permitted to fast or engage in other acts of mourning or difficult labor during a wedding feast.” -Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 5:34–35.

When Jesus speaks of the bridegroom being taken away, this would have seemed a riddle to Jesus’ own immediate audience, but Luke would have expected his readers to understand Jesus as referring to his sacrificial death and later to his ascension after the resurrection.

***Are we now in the time of feasting or fasting? (hint: it’s both) - Feasting because the bridegroom has come and has made us his own, and fasting because we’re waiting for his return and working to collect more followers to complete his Bride.

Two more examples: A parable based on two extended metaphors and a closing proverb… (a closing statement which is unique to Luke… not found in Mt & Mk)

New Cloth & New Wine - the New Way Doesn’t Fit Into the Old Forms (vv. 36-39)

Again, the point of these illustrations emphasizes that the new way of the kingdom through Jesus couldn’t simply be added on to the old way under the Mosaic Law… Jesus would in fact fulfill the law and usher in a New Covenant, now completely separate from the requirement of the law, which he himself fulfilled.

***If you tear a piece of cloth from a new garment to patch an old one, you’ve not only ruined the new garment but it also doesn’t mesh with the old one anyways. Not only will it look new while the other looks old, but the new patch will shrink with washing and probably tear both garments.

***Similarly, “Old wineskins had already been stretched to capacity by wine fermenting within them; if they were then filled with unfermented wine, it would likewise expand, and the old wineskins, already stretched to the limit, would break.” -Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 5:36–38.

***He concludes by pointing out then that those who love the old ways will not accept the new because they think their old way is better. - Interestingly, we who are more conservative in our leanings find it easy to point out that simply because something is new does not automatically make it better than what was previously done; that’s foolish youthful arrogance. However, it is equally true that… Traditionalism (or you might even call it conservatism) tends to view the old as better simply because it is old, and the new as suspect because it is new. This too is unwise. (Change does not necessarily mean that what was done was wrong, but that there may be a better way going forward in the given climate.)

What a tragedy if this religious adherence to old forms causes some to miss the gospel, or stunts the growth of some believers because they hate change. - Add another question for critical consideration: Do we adhere to any old forms in the way we present ourselves or share about Christ that in themselves are not sacred and could actually be making it harder for people to understand the Gospel clearly? (Only treat as sacred that which is actually sacred.)

Conclusion: We the Unexpected People of God

1. Every one of us is an unlikely candidate to be one of God’s chosen people, to be a follower of Jesus. - We need to see ourselves this way to receive God’s grace, and we need to view others the same way: as unlikely candidates on their own merits but loved of God as people for which Jesus died.

2. Christians remain outsiders - The first followers of Jesus and the new Way faced the reality of going against the expectation of Judaism. In our society, nearly 2000 years later, we face the predominant philosophy of humanism [explain - here’s a working definition: an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.] (make no mistake, Humanists adhere to their thinking as religiously as any religion)

We are therefore people of the unexpected in that we fear God, not man. - Jesus’ aim was to do the Father’s will, no matter what the religious establishment thought they expected of their Messiah. We aim to leave behind the trappings of this world (what the world loves) and follow Jesus.

- Therefore, we don’t plug our noses and carefully pass around the smelly, sick, and hurting sinners. Rather, we take Christ’s compassionate concern and his forgiveness to bind their wounds. (by his wounds we are healed)

- And we don’t thumb our noses at those who think us backward. Rather, we lead quiet and peaceful lives in any way we can, we stand up for the poor and outcast (mistreated, underserved) when and how we can, we season our speech with salt and our lives with grace at every opportunity, and we call even the most hardened humanists to repentance and submission to the Lord.

3. Even though we aim to do so with humility, we must admit that the Gospel we are sharing is not some soft prosperity and humanistic fluff we’re pedaling. - God doesn’t want to merely make people happy and successful in this life. He wants to pull the rug out from under us so that we see hell lying beneath… which is what our sin deserves. Jesus isn’t telling people, “You do you and nobody can tell you otherwise.” He’s not saying, “find yourself.” No, Jesus says that only those who are ready to lose themselves, to crawl to him with remorse over their sin and turn to him to meet their need, realizing that they have no goodness apart from him… these are the ones who gain spiritual life and who begin to see God’s universe right-side up.

God’s people have to get this Gospel right so that 1. We can be sure we are his… we’ve come to him on his terms. 2. We know we are living in the right-side up perspective God has for us, which is why we seem unexpected to the world. And 3. This is the only Gospel which saves, so it’s the Gospel we must proclaim.

PRAY: Heavenly Father, because of your mercy to us, teach us to have the compassionate heart of our Savior for those who need him. We can’t thank you enough and can never repay you for plucking us out of our sin and making us your own. That is all of your grace; and for it you deserve all the glory. But as your children, Lord, help us to view ourselves as those who are privileged and responsible to reflect your character and to cast the net of the gospel far and near so that you can draw others to yourself. Father, help us individually and corporately to continue growing in our submission to you. Amen.