Yesterday Levi decided to follow Jesus, invited his colleagues for supper with Jesus.  We saw all that meant for Levi, and today we see what it meant for his culture.

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” – Luke 5:30-32 ESV

What Jesus says makes so much sense in theory. Of course Jesus came to heal broken people, including these kinds of extortioners who’ve sold out their nation.

But it’s so easy to forget that in practice.

The Pharisees don’t seem to think Jesus should be friends with those he intends to heal.  They act like he should keep a safe distance, perhaps as an aloof example of how good he is and how bad they are.   Perhaps if they change their ways, then they can be seen with him.

Christians can do the same.  Sometimes we’d rather give to a distant charity than help a neighbour.  We’d rather keep a safe distance from people’s issues, perhaps we worry about what people will think if they see us with certain kind person.

This is a problem since we see Jesus doing the opposite.  He goes right to people who don’t know him, and don’t act like him.  He goes right to the sick, and heals them.  The problem is Pharisees don’t see themselves as sick.

This is part of why we don’t advertise this as a Christian resource.  We’re not looking to be a resource just for those who already go to church, know Jesus, and like that kind of thing.

If that’s you, it’s okay, you can support and join our team in this work – get in touch with me.  What we’ll work on together is building a community of people that includes those who’d never show up at church to learn about Jesus.

It’s such people as that we exist for.  Now that’s a pretty familiar group.  It gets much more interesting when you consider what it’s like to serve prostitutes, drug addicts, and so on.  What does it look like for Jesus’ followers to sit down and have supper with them in a way that introduces them to Jesus?  We’ve included one fascinating example for you to watch here. 

Question: Why do you think the religious authorities, the Pharisees and scribes, react the way they do?  Have you ever reacted similarly?

Ryan Sim - May 28, 2013

Tuesday - Study It - Worry

Sermon on the Mount

Last week, we talked about priorities, and that putting God and his kingdom first pours into other areas of life. This passage follows on from there, since it begins with “therefore I tell you.” It’s like Jesus is saying IF you choose God, light and heaven, it has consequences for your life. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV) Now, to clear up a few misconceptions, Jesus has nothing against material things – they matter! He made them and although our world is broken, he intends to redeem the material world, not just our spirits. Jesus cares about the body & world – he made them both. But he wants to worry about it, not for us to worry about it. He has nothing against making plans - watch a bird build a nest! They are not lazy, they work hard, but they are reliant on what is provided for them in nature. Worry has no place there. We all need purpose in life – we are made to be seekers - not aimless. We can live for any number of aims, though. Career, power, perfection, love, etc. Jesus reduces all our possible ambitions/purposes to two options: selfish security or heavenly kingdom. Having goals, plans and material things isn’t the problem. Worry is the problem – when these things become sources of anxiety that cut to the core of who we are. Question: What’s the difference between prudent planning, and anxious worry? How does that show up in your life?

Related Topics: Anxiety, Fear, Planning, Possessions, Worry | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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