WWJD - Clarity
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WWJD - Clarity
WWJD - Clarity
This series for me has shown me how relevant God’s word is right now in the year 2020
Jesus has taught us how to operate during this time and season of life:
A heart of compassion
The power of breaking barriers and how a conversation can lead to conversion
Last week during Bible study we explored the three step process 1) Love God 2) Love yourself 3) Love your neighborhood
In Matthew 15 Jesus is dealing with Pharisees and Scribes about what tradition and what defiles a man.
He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
Jesus teaches us a very important lesson
it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Jesus went away from there and withdrew Withdrew: Retire / Take refuge
He is withdrawing from conflict and confrontation
He is going into an area where he would be less well-known.
He is withdrawing from ministry responsibilities.
He wants to avoid a further escalation of opposition, at least for the present.
He is avoiding Jewish opposition and Jewish crowds.
It’s ok to take a moment!
When you are passionate about your assignment. Driven to accomplish your mission.
Withdrawing from the noise can allow you to refocus / recharge / regroup / recuperate
Think about it he dealt with opposition from outside (Pharisees and Scribes) over something petty. Then the frustration from within (disciples didn’t understand).
Such a great leadership lesson… There are challenges you face when you a leader!
It was a distance of about fifty miles [BECNT, NIBC]. Tyre was about twenty-five miles northwest of Lake Galilee and Sidon was about twenty-five miles north of Tyre [EBC, PNTC, TH]. The round trip could have taken months [PNTC]. He may have been gone for as much as six months [NTC].
And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
It has OT associations with those pagans displaced by the people of Israel, and who stand in contrast to the people of God [WBC]. The term recalls OT accounts of Israel’s ancient enemies [EBC, ICC, Lns, NICNT, NIGTC, TRT]. As a Canaanite, this woman would have had no covenantal basis for a claim on Israel’s God [EBC]. This name had associations with evil in previous eras [NAC]. She is distinctly different ethnically, and her ancestors were traditional enemies of Israel
But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Isreal.”
This response is life changing!
We are still dealing with race and reconciliation / We know that Jesus is teaching us how to respond…
“Black Lives Matter” - “Lose sheep of Isreal Matter”
We know that we need to be compassionate / Conversation / Considerate / Cognitive awareness / Now we have Clarity
Clarity of our assignment and mission!
Jesus was making a statement I’m not saying other people don’t matter but I’m clear why I am here!
We must have clarity of our assignment! We must be passionate, motivated and dedicated.
There is a reason why you are here!
Now we know that we are ambassadors of Christ! But God uses our passions, gifts and talents as vehicle to move his message.
Some of us have a passion for: Youth / incarcerated / homeless / Sex trafficking / Gang members / Immigration / Health services / Women or Men’s empowerment / Drug addiction / Sports development / Economic literacy / Education / Social Work / Politics
Jesus was clear! We have to be clear… I know why I’m here.
We have to become a consistent voice!
But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Although the expression is rather harsh, Jesus’ use of it was without insult or bitterness
Jesus’ statement primarily reflects an attitude of pastoral concern for Israel as the covenant people of God, and the recognition that the Gentiles were not part of that covenant.
Not Yet!
She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Jesus had a mission on earth but on the cross his mission included me!
remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Not only do I have clarity on my assignment but I have clarity on my access.