Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

In 1987, BABY JESSICA fell 22' down a well in Midland Texas.  She was 18 months old.  She was down there for 56 hours.  In the meantime, the ENTIRE WORLD's attention was directed toward that back yard emergency.  Every available resource was brought to bear to rescue that little girl.

That picture of rescue is what our story elicits today.  The guy in the story isn't so young and isn't so cute.  He has dropsy which is lymphedema.  His skin probably weeps.  He likely has an underlying condition that results in this ugliness.  Basically, Jesus equates this guy as figuratively "fallen down a well".  Who wouldn't want to HELP HIM.

The COMPASSION and mercy and character of Jesus is front and center.  Listen as we try to appreciate the VALUE He brings to this man who, like us, HAS FALLEN DOWN A WELL.

Jerusalem is the star of the show today.  It serves as a good example of being a BAD example.  Jesus actually laments over the city, as it represents the state of the official relationship between God and man. 

In short, Jerusalem just WOULDN'T HAVE IT.  Nope.  Not interested.  Rebellion.  Resistance.  Arguments against.  Kill the messengers.  Kill the message.

But God says I wanted to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks:  to protect, to learn, to provide, to communicate, and to warn from danger. 

Still no.  Jerusalem WOULD NOT HAVE IT.

Let's humbly listen and NOT be a people who just "wouldn't have it."

There are no pretenders in the kingdom of God.  He knows who are in and who are out.  He makes a way for those who are OUT to become those who are IN.  He has made a way through Himself.  I think that is why He knows perfectly about this topic because, "all roads lead through Him." 

The narrow door story is a sobering warning on one hand and it is an open-door-invitation as well.  He HAS made a way.  He provides a DOOR.  He invites you to COME and receive and 'recline at table' in His family.  There is evil outside the door.  There is FORGIVEN evil inside the door.

Do you agree with God?  Does REPENTANCE characterize you story today?  Would you like to take Him up on His offer to COME?  Would you like to 'recline at His table?"  Might you like to be a part of the family of God?  Listen and COME today!

We get a bunch of pearls about heaven today.

• There is an upside down economy.  Last are first.  If you've been on the short end of this life, then this should be of some comfort to you
• there will be an international cast of characters from E W N and S
• there will be a bit of REPOSE.  All these people are RECLINING at table.  That's cool.
• There is some security:  there indeed is a DOOR
• There are some noted celebrities:  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and prophets
• There is permanence:  The master rises and shuts the door to separate those who are in and those who are out.  Once it is done, it is done.

On the Bad Side

• there are those outside
• they aren't reposing outside.  They are knocking, seeking, speaking, making arguments
• they won't be able to do what they want to do:  that is, get inside
• they think they deserve this access because of familiarity and proximity
• there is suffering outside:  weeping and gnashing of teeth

So, obviously the call is to be on the right side of the door!  Listen and assess which side of the door you are on.  

Jesus wants us to be CURIOUS about His CURIOUS kingdom.

In fact, today, HE asks the curious question to get the ball rolling so that He can answer it.   Of note, then He asks the curious question a second time so we can stay frosty with anticipation at His answer.  The question:  "What is the kingdom of God like?"

Careful here!  We may be familiar with His answer and so NOT HEAR THE ANSWER.  This would be bad studentship and bad stewardship of the nuggets He offers.

I'll give you a little hint.  It compares favorably to Ham and Cheese sandwiches and Sourdough Starter.  Indeed, this is a CURIOUS kingdom.  Don't you just love the Bible?

So, listen curiously today.  This is a theme that Jesus comes back to over and over.  Apparently, it is important to Him, so it should be important to me. Then, let's ask for more than just knowledge, but that His kingdom would actually come!

We are continuing with this image of the Alien Facehugger on the face of the astronaut from Ridley Scott's ALIEN movie of 1979.  Bound.  Stuck.  Can't get the darn thing off.  

Daughter of Abraham.  Probably faithful.  Jewish.  Female.  18 years of a body scoliosis and kyphosis.  18 years of a DISABLED SPIRIT.  Broken world.  Broken Creation.  Broken body.  Broken mind.  Satan allowed powers that will one day be curtailed.  Such is the curse from Genesis 3.  Bound.  Stuck.  Can't get the darn thing off.

Enter Jesus.  Guess what happens...

Let's wonder WHY.  My favorite part of the story is the insight of Jesus' frustration/annoyance:  "and OUGHT NOT this woman...be loosed from this bond?"
Answer:  Yes.  Yes .  Yes.  It should not be this way.  This isn't the way the world is supposed to be.  The curse-era is no picnic to live through.

Perhaps you have a physical disablement:  a virus, hypertension, diabetes, a bad shoulder, Lou Gehrigs disease, MS, or arthritis.
Perhaps you have a SPRITUAL disablement:  depression, serotonin is whacky, bipolar, or schizophrenia.
If so, then you must take great comfort in our story today.  Only Jesus can get that cursed thing off your face.  Only He has the power.  He'll demonstrate it for this grateful woman.  Let's listen and believe too.

ALIEN, Ridley Scott's terrifying thriller came out in 1979.  It depicts the fight for life of a fictional endoparasitoid extraterrestrial xenomorph species.  There is an unforgettable scene where in its 2nd stage of life, we find this crab like thing affixed to one of the astronaut's face. They are all standing around wondering how exactly to get this thing off this poor guy's face. (I know, this is the SECOND most memorable scene in the movie)

That is the exact scenario we find in Luke 13.  We have a poor woman who Satan has bound for 18 years with a DISABLING SPIRIT and a disabled crooked body.  

Jesus notices, speaks to her, touches her and tells her she is FREED from her disability.  Immediately.  Poof.  And bonus: she is made straight.

Listen to this great story that should win all the awards ever offered.  

We are SUPPOSED to be fruitful as people of God.
The Lord seeks fruit. 
The passage, IMHO is even stronger than that.  I think it says the Lord EXPECTS fruit.

 Here the tree has some agency in the production of fruit.  You remember Paul's teaching, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" in 1 Cor 3:6. Work hard with your gift in the church and watch God expand and utilize it. All real growth is from the Lord...as accomplished by the sweat and tears of his people.  Just ask your pastor how he has labored over you and your congregation.

The prominent question today for you:
What gift has the Lord given me for the church?  (nothing is not a real answer)
How can I dial that gift up zealously? (Kick it up a notch)
How can I do it today? (or shall we presume on the Lord's patience yet another day?)

Listen for your charge!

Repentance should be a part of you life.

In today's passage there is not much wiggle room.  There is no where else to go. It is repentance or perishment.  Yes I made that up.
Think about this: If you are a believer, then you should have a repentance story.  In fact it is so strong here that you could say you MUST have a repentance story.  Kind of a first origins idea: first repentance.

But then it really doesn't STOP there.  Repentance is an ongoing, regular PRACTICE of the believer.  It is definitely not a one and done.

And for you not-yet-Believer types, know this:  you are in good company.  Repentance will be very very very very hard.  Get used to the idea.  Sin is pretty nasty if you are a holy God. But He has made a way.  A way.  Singular.  Not many paths.  A singular way.  You are not the first to wrestle with this.  He welcomes your wrestling.  He also will welcome you repenting. 

What does it mean? 
     Changing ones' MIND (Agreeing with God about His holiness and your separation)
     Changing ones' FEELINGS (Probably should feel pretty bad about this)
     Changing ones' WAY (That demonstrates the decision)
It is INTIMATELY tied to BELIEF.  In fact, I have never heard a salvation story that doesn't marry belief and repentance.  That's because repenting = changing ones' mind = believing a couple of new things = agreeing with God about what HE says. 

Listen, but don't worry:  "For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I HAVE HELPED YOU."  2 Cor 6:2.  If today is your day to repent, He will help you.

We will be taking advice today from the mother of a 3 year old, and from God.  We are the three year old.  Sorry.

The Lord has given us skills to see and hear Him.  That is all well and good.  However, today, He appears to emphasize our ACCOUNTABILITY.  There is a movement from the theoretical "you could to better" to the accountable, "you should do better."  He appears to be saying to his contemporary audience and EVEN MORESO us, that "YOU CAN DO BETTER!"

I know that you don't have ALL, but. you have ENOUGH.
You don't have EVERYTHING, but you have SOMETHING.
It will always require FAITH.  
If you are blind, then LISTEN.  
If you are deaf, then SEE.
If you are estranged, then come HOME.
If you have a dispute with man, resolve it.
If you have a dispute with God, then be reconciled.

When?  How about now.  Listen as we hear a charge, "YOU CAN DO BETTER".