This past Sunday, we started a new sermon series called “Moments with Jesus.” The motivation behind this series is to encourage our church to grow in loving others and to equip them for gospel ministry. In this series, we will look at various moments in Jesus’ ministry when He encountered broken, hurting people. And we will study His example to learn how we can be more like Him.
The first sermon in this series was on the leper (the outcast), in Mark 1:40-45. I picked this one to open the series because it hit on a very challenging theme. How did Jesus treat people that society rejected and treated as untouchable? Why did He care for them? The leper was the social outcast. Quite literally, they were cast out of their communities, families, and religious activities. They weren’t allowed in, and they were scoffed at and avoided. There could not be a more challenging example for us to consider, because most of us in the Christian world (at least in our church) have never experienced anything like this and don’t know what to do when we encounter it.
As we studied this, we noticed the fierce compassion of Jesus, which moved Him towards this man and touched him. We noticed that Jesus’ response could be understood as righteous anger, not toward the leper, but toward the devastating effects of sin in a fallen world. That anger fueled His compassion and action.
This first sermon (as most of these sermons) was intended to get to our hearts. I know that one of my personal challenges is a hurriedness and busyness that comes over me. I don’t slow down to notice people around me, and often I simply grab what I need and go, without being observant. When I honestly evaluate it, I realize that, too often, my hurry reveals how unlike Jesus my heart can be in those moments. It’s obvious that He was always on a mission and busier than I could ever dream. But He never seemed to be in a rush and people were His first concern. The way He interacted with this leper showed us that.
I’m sure, like many of you, I sometimes struggle to know exactly what to do or how to help. In that void, I usually don’t do anything, which isn’t the right answer either. That’s why I think a heart adjustment must come first. Before we know what to do, we need to have the heart to do it. Our hearts will lead our actions, and actions won’t come until our hearts are eager and willing.
Treating people like Jesus did:
The heart behind helping others is important because once our hearts are in line with Christ, He will give us wisdom on what to do. This is another concern for us in this series.
When you read the gospels, you will notice something very interesting about Jesus. He didn’t handle or treat everyone the same. There were some, like the leper in Mark 1, whom He was remarkably compassionate with. There were others, like the scribes and the Pharisees, whom He was firm and rebuked. And there were some whom He warned about. He showed compassion to the broken, rebuked the self-righteous, and exposed false teachers.
Sometimes it seems we get Jesus’ priorities backward. We’re harsh with the broken, surprisingly patient with the self-righteous, and coddle false teachers. It’s almost like we get things reversed or mixed up in our dealings with people.
What this does is create confusion about what Jesus calls us to do. For instance, we encounter someone whose sin is obvious, is captured by it, but wants out, and we believe the best answer is to sharply rebuke them. Instead, what they need is to see the loving heart of Jesus and hear and see the gospel of Jesus through us. That person is worth our time. Or, there’s a young man who is religiously zealous. He seems to have it together, but is arrogant about what he knows and unwilling to listen or engage in a respectful debate. My instinct is often to give him tons of time, keep debating in hopes of convincing him, but what he may need first is a loving confrontation that exposes his pride.
You’ll notice that Jesus dealt with different people in different ways. But as Matthew 12:20 says, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.” Jesus deals compassionately with broken people. That doesn’t mean Jesus was never firm. But toward those who were broken and genuinely needy, He was amazingly gentle.
I find this compelling and convicting. Becoming like Jesus doesn’t mean treating everyone the same. It means loving people enough to give them what they most need, whether that’s compassion, correction, warning, or encouragement.
Looking ahead:
This Sunday, we will study Mark 2:1-12, as Jesus heals a paralytic. A broken man made well by the power of Jesus. Eager friends, willing to help. May God give us a heart for the broken.
Cheap Seats:
- I can’t think of an MLB Trade Deadline that I paid as close attention to as I did this one. Adley Rutchman to the Red Sox. Wow! Skubal to the Dodgers. Not surprising. Jacob DeGrom using his no-trade clause to stay put with the Rangers because he wants to win with them. Let’s go!!
- I don’t think the Dodgers are ruining baseball. I just think they’re a well-run organization. They have the double hammer: lots of money and a great farm system. The Yankees could do the same, but their farm system isn’t good. The Brewers could, but they don’t have the money. One question someone should ask the Dodgers: How is it that you draft lower than most teams, but you’ve developed a great farm system?
- I enjoy learning about leadership from different places, but I’m a sucker for sports leadership. I found a new podcast, led by Jason Garrett, that I thought you might enjoy. His first interview was with Tony Dungy, and it was really good. Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033oCLGWqjV0chdpTC1cwO?si=86ac7790ddcb48f9
Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
