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Good morning church family! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the pastors at Harvest. It is my honor and joy to open up God’s Word this morning. Before we do, 4th-5th graders are dismissed. Everyone else grab your Bible’s and turn to Luke 7. If you need a copy of God’s Word the ushers will get you one. You will benefit from following along as we go.

A question came to my mind this week: When is the last time God showed up in an unexpected way in my life? I wonder if you’ve thought about that question at all. Two weeks removed from remembering the unexpected death and the even more unexpected resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course that was perfectly according to God’s plan but went outside the box of what many people thought. We still today have a very clear revelation of the Triune God of the Bible, his person and character and works and promises. And yet God still confronts us unexpectedly. So as we look at Luke 7 today, as the message title suggests, we will see the unexpected authority of Jesus on display. We would like to think we have a hold on Jesus, but we don’t. There are some who have rejected Christianity because they think they know what Jesus is about, they have certain expectations of him and reject his authority. Others say they would welcome his authority but have wrong expectations of what that authority is. Still many others of us here are flawed but faithful followers who need to continually welcome the refinements in our own thinking and wanting and acting to align with the Jesus we see in the Scriptures. Our study of the life and ministry of Jesus in Luke is helping expose that.

Today, we will look at Four ways Jesus’ authority confronts our expectations. My hope is that as we engage the text, we will grow in expecting the unexpected and welcoming where we are called to change. And also that we will mature to encounter less unexpected happenings of God as we get to better know and understand the ways he uses his authority in our lives.

Hopefully you’ve found you way to Luke 7. Lets now read together Luke 7:1-10. Here we find the first confrontation of our expectations as Jesus uses his authority to…

Let’s talk about the situation here as Luke lays it out. We see in v1 a transition to a new section of Jesus ministry from his sermon to more action. Jesus enters town of Capernaum which is a bit of his ministry HQ and is approached by some elders who want Jesus to heal a centurion’s servant. And elders aren’t forced to ask but say this guy is worthy of your help! Not uncommon for centurion, who would have led about 100 men and been in charge of keeping order in a town, to have helped with some things like building a synagogue and treating people well. BUT elders in v5 say he loves the nation, and v2 says he values/cares for the servant. That’s unexpectedly going above and beyond. Jesus goes to check this out but gets stopped by friends who says in v6, “yeah elders may have said I am worthy, but I am NOT.” Again maybe showing he is a God fearer and respecter of Jewish people as he didn’t want a Jew to be defiled by going to Gentile place. But more importantly he says in v7-8 he gets the authority.

This finally makes sense.  As a military guy he was both under and over authority. He knows an authoritative word means something. But what is unexpected is that he would use this authority to highly value a lowly slave, to help the subjects of a subjugated nation, and then to consider himself unworthy of traveling carpenter turned preacher! They key is in v6 he calls Jesus Lord and v7 his shows trust that Jesus’ word has power! This is the faith Jesus commends: recognize unworthiness, trust Jesus Word, acknowledge Jesus’ authority.

In v9 Jesus marvels at this unexpected faith by this outsider! We would expect to see an insider (AKA an Israelite) to figure this out but it’s an outsider (AKA Gentile)! Luke continues to highlight and will especially do so as we keep going, the marginalized who trust Christ while educated religious leaders and insiders ignore or reject him. Why would this guy trust? That’s where we are reminded that this is less about this outsider’s faith and more about the authority of Jesus. He is indeed Lord and the one who has the power to heal. This centurion has been blessed with the gift of faith to see that and Jesus commends him for trust his authority, so much that he knows it just takes a word.

Do we trust Jesus’ authority like that? Do you trust the power of his words like that? This outsider sought out Jesus because he knew it’s not just about being in authority but about sitting under the right authority. He sought ought Jesus and Jesus commends his faith for saying “I know I am not worthy. I know who you are and what you do. Just the word and he will be healed!”

I know I struggle to place my faith in Jesus and his inerrant word in this same way. I think many of us go to other things for answers first. Online search, SM hacks, personal efforts, the way it worked for others. Instead we can go to Jesus and his Word! I think at times fail to take others who are hurting and need help to Jesus and the Word, with the excuse that outsiders can’t and need something more palatable. But really, I think that’s more because our own struggles. We fail to see good of authority of Jesus in our lives! It’s like we don’t expect him to use it to bring about good. Authority gets a bad rap today but that’s because we miss that it’s to be used like this! Biblically speaking authority is a God given moral responsibility to exercise power for the blessing of others like warm sunrise David speaks of in 2 Sam 23. Who did that better than Jesus? We should willingly submit to him in faith!

It’s hard to trust Jesus’ authority sometimes. That he actually has the power to intervene in our difficult children, our frustrating job situations, our lack of discipline and enslavement to goods of this world, and even as it says here our physical maladies for ourselves and others. But lets this centurion show us we can bring problems bring to Jesus! Where this man didn’t want to presume and sent elders and friends, we can approach the throne of mercy and grace directly! Not to mention we can invite elders and friends to bring burdens too! As an aside what a testament to community. True faith is evidence in pursuit of Jesus and entrusting all the areas of our lives, even unexpected ones to him. The least likely person shows that kinds of faith here and is commended be an example for us. This unexpected faith who uses his authority in unexpected way, to serve and bless.

Jesus doesn’t just demonstrate authority as people seek him out but also he encounters the hurting and broken. Lets read together Luke 7:11-17. The second way we see Jesus’ authority confront out expectations is…

The phrasing of v11 as soon afterword helps us see this is linked to last episode. In fact, both stories show a grieving person, a beloved in grip of death, a healing, and a crowd. Nain is a small town with not much mention in the Bible. As Jesus approaches the town gate he meets a funeral procession where the only son of a widow is dead. Jesus probably resonates with women bereaved as he considers his impending journey to the cross. But the compassion mentioned in v13 which Jesus feels for her is because this lady is in double trouble. No husband and now no so, there is no a person in the household to provide for her any more. The town seems to feel this as considerable crowd is with her. But Jesus in his compassion says don’t weep. As if to say I got you.

And I mean, who interrupts a funeral!? Wild. Even more wild to tell grieving to stop, and then to touch something unclean, and then tell the dead to wake up! Jesus has compassion here and uses his authority to do something that is most certainly not an everyday occurrence. These people may have thought Jesus powerful but bring a dead man back? But it happens. In v16 the people respond with great fear and worship! God has visited! He has compassion on the broken and interrupts grief! And word spreads.

Some interesting things to consider here. Contrasting the centurion, there is no request or resume here. Simply a need arises and the compassionate authority wielder deals hope while crowd responds with worships. Again, Jesus is not some cold authority but one who personally helps. But also interesting to contrast this with another scene of resurrection in John 11 where Jesus weeps as he stands at the tomb of Lazarus. Why different response? Different context, different expressions. In both scenes Jesus is grieved by death and moved by his heart towards others, just displays it different. BUT in both scenes, he still interrupts grieving.

What if the woman had said, stop! Maybe they knew he’s made broken things whole and cast out demons and taught with authority, and even kept people from dying. But bring back from the dead, this is too far! This is where we are challenged in our expectations of Jesus. I will confess, I am one of the first people to think there is just no way. But as Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, God can do more than all we ask or imagine! As Isaiah says his ways are not our ways. As God himself rhetorically demonstrated to job, his power is beyond our understanding and comprehension.

So what seems dead to you right now? Is there a pattern of behavior you can’t seem to overcome and think it’s just gonna stay there? Is there a relationship that seems broken beyond repair? Is there a loved one who you think he is too far gone? Is there a friend who you think she will never come to know Jesus? Is there an illness or pattern of suffering in your life that makes you feel dead in the water? Jesus can interrupt that grief!

Its fair and right that we express this doesn’t mean he always will. In fact, as we read in places like 2 Cor 12 God will use these things and more to unearth our weakness so that we may be strong in him. But he never says stop trusting that I might heal this. I know personally I am too guilty of playing the safe card. I know we don’t want to get our hopes up in a selfish or self-centered sort of way. But may we be like Rack, Shack, and Benny who say God can save us from the fire, he can interrupt in an unexpected way, but even if he doesn’t He is still God. My fear is that when we settle for not trusting God to do the unexpected we actually are robbing him of the glory that he ever could. Because he does. He does do unexpected and incredible things!

If we as a church prayed like God could bring something or someone from the dead, what would that look like? If you invested in a relationship like God could bring it back from the dead what would that look like? If you fought against sin with the tenacity of the Holy Spirit like God has given you new life if Christ what would that look like? Students, if you committed to being in the Word and growing in maturity in Christ like you trust a risen savior what would that look like?

As I wrote these words, I was tempted not to say them, because I don’t always believe them. I struggle with my own doubts of what the authority of God can do. About the ways his unexpected power might show up. Where he might interrupt grief or any other brokenness in this world. And then as I keep reading in Luke 7, I am humbled by our God who put in his authoritative Word an example of one of the greatest men of all time who also wrestled with some doubts about Jesus.

Let’s read together Luke 7:18-23. A short account here of John the Baptist bringing sincere question to Jesus. There are many ways Jesus could have reacted to this but what we see is that how he chooses to answer the question is maybe a bit unexpected. The third way Jesus’ authority confronts our expectations is…

John has been in prisons since Luke 3:20. But word has gotten to him about what Jesus is doing. And he send messengers who obediently repeat word for word his question for Jesus “are you the one or should we expect another?” This is the guy who was preaching that the messiah is on his way! He was talking about the kingdom! He recognized Jesus and said I am not worthy to baptize you! He said Jesus is worth it and in John’s gospel is credited with saying “go ahead and let all my disciples go over there to Jesus. He must increase but I must decrease!” So why in the world as he is hearing about the awesome things Jesus is doing does he doubt!?

Consider his expectations. John expected judgment. Again his preaching in Luke 3 highlights repentance because wrath is coming, axe to the tree, winnowing fork tossing out chaff. that’s what Messiah is going to do! Make straight the way of the Lord! Messiah is going to come in and setting things straight. So is that what John is hearing? Instead Jesus is going to small towns doing good and preaching! He has been casting out demons. He has been healing people. He’s been hanging out with the lowly. That’s not bad. But why is he not doing more? John didn’t get this idea from nowhere but is thinking of all the prophecies of the Messiah and what he would bring! Which leads John to asking “are you really the one”?

Jesus doesn’t get upset or chastise John. Nor does he ignore his question. Instead he responds by asking him simply to consider the evidence.  In v21 we see he displays his authority for all to see. Then in v22 he rapid fire lists six things, two Greek words each--literally “blind see, lame walk, lepers cleansed, and deaf head, dead raised, poor evangelized.” These are all things that should read like what one commentator called an Isaianic symphony! These are Messianic realities all found in the Scriptures! Jesus says I am Him, go send that word back to John!

See the conglomeration of OT words about Jesus’ show but restoration and judgment. Yet what we see here is the restoration, not yet the judgment. What gives? If you’ve ever driven to Colorado, you know that as you get outa western Nebraska and into eastern CO you start going up. And at some point, you plateau a bit and see the Rocky Mountains. They are awesome even from a distance! But it looks like one giant range all together! But the closer you get the more you realize that isn’t the case. There are mountains miles and miles apart with valleys and rivers and towns all woven in. Likewise that’s what we see about Jesus the Messiah. Judgement and restoration are both part of the range of what he will do, just the timing of when both will be on display is unexpected to what many, including John, first understood.

This isn’t to rule out the Removal of evil and judging enemies. It’s not all been fulfilled yet. Nonetheless, Jesus is fulling what was prophesied just this two-part reality was unexpected. So who can blame John for asking questions? Especially as we consider his situation. He might have been sitting in jail thinking “Hey about the setting captives free thing, like get me outa here!” We will get to a vindication of John in the next section, where in v28 he is called the GOAT! “Of those born of women none is greater than John.” Again, his questions aren’t pooh poohed by Jesus. Instead he responds to them. And I think important to see that John doesn’t just wrestle on his own, he goes to the source. He trusts the authority of Jesus, and Jesus answers.

When you are struggling with doubt or confusion about what God is up to, or about what is going on in his Word, what do you do? Don’t make doubt a virtue. Some people act like uncertainty is life. But Jesus has evidence that provide answers if we go to him. Likewise, don’t go around saying I need this or that specific answer to my questions, Jesus doesn’t directly answer the John. Instead, he gives evidence to explain what was unexpected to John. He reshapes his expectations with evidence. God offers the same for us. He demonstrates the evidence of his authority first and foremost the Word! He has written down all we need to know for life and godliness. This sufficient and authoritative Word. Second, through the church. Looking at it growing and not being prevailed against in all kinds of places trying to see it snuffed out. Here you will find others who help straight out the fuzzy things too. And a third thing, see the evidence in the changed lives of those who have laid hold of the evidence.  Will you honestly take your doubts like John did? Jesus welcomes them!

But this is hard to do! Which is why v23 sticks out. “Blessed is the one not offended by me.” Jesus wants to assure John, “I get that I might not be exactly what you thought, BUT stick with me and experience the blessing. Don’t be offended by the evidence of who I am just because its different than what you thought and especially than what you want.”

How about you? Are you offended by Jesus? Will you stick with him when he turns out different than you thought in the Word? I love working with students of our church and the kids of our church. Because they continue to challenge me with their hunger and humility. Many come across something and say “wait, I didn’t know the Bible said that about Jesus. I didn’t know that truth about God.” BUT they are willing to have their idea of Jesus shaped by the picture he gives in the Bible rather than try to fit the Messiah into their own mental mold. Sometimes we do get to help reshape “well I heard Jesus was like X or Y” by saying “well where is that in the Bible?” That’s a good practice for all of us! But also, when the bible lays out the evidence plain we have two choices, be offended and reject OR hold on for the wild ride of getting our picture of Jesus refined and experience the blessings that come with.

How do you feel about a Jesus confronting your expectations? Not healing, using weakness, calling to love, asking to confront. It gets harder as he ends up on a cross! If we follow this Messiah, there are bound to be things that don’t immediately make sense so we are promised blessings if not tripped up by him.

Brother and sister Christian, we do serve a Savior who works in mysterious ways. Don’t grow weary of bringing him questions, personally and corporately, knowing he will respond to the questions in his way. See the evidence and trust his authority. Unbelieving friends who are here, consider that 2000 years ago a carpenter from no-name town and low-class family called a dozen teenagers to follow him and turned the world upside down. Both those who saw the evidence firsthand and those who heard or read it second hand have been and still are being changed to the point of being willing to lose their lives. Search the Scriptures and you might find that Jesus doesn’t fit the box you thought, and that’s a good thing. HE is so much better. John’s questions for this unexpected Messiah and his loving response points to the reality of who Jesus is, one with all authority and whom we can put our faith in.

I pray you are not like those who saw things firsthand and heard or read second hand and reject Jesus, nonetheless. That’s where the narrative goes in this last section. Let’s read Luke 7:24-35. Longer section as Jesus responds to the crowd who observed his interactions with John’s disciples. This final way Jesus’ authority confronts out expectations is that…

I mentioned a vindication of John, we see that here. Many heard Jesus tell John’s disciples the evidence to consider, so Jesus now turns to the crowd who heard that exchange. He asks three questions in v24-28 to help the crowd remember who John was. Was he some flimsy floppy plan? Nope he was a firm fiery preacher! Was he a fine dressed man swindling you for money? Nope he was in camels hair and eating bugs. Whas he a prophet? Yeah but not just a prophet he is THE prophet--the GOAT. The one foretold in Malachi 3. So John is a big deal. BUT then unexpected twist at the end of v28. Even John is not as great as those in the kingdom. What does that mean? He is the last of the OT prophets. He is before the new covenant which Jesus initiates. Has nothing to do with personality or achievement but arrival of kingdom of God. He is THE forerunner prophet but even least who partake in the new covenant has greater spiritual privileges than John.

We see then in v29-30 two reactions—those who say God is just and those who reject God’s purposes. In the first group are tax collects. They see Jesus’ words as validating John’s ministry. They we weren’t off base following John. The other group don’t like this because they hated John. And in hating John they are rejecting God’s way and purpose. Jesus knows this and thus v31-35 puts them on blast. This generation in v31 are like grumpy kids who don’t get anyone to play the game the way they want. Anyone every been with a group of kids you know some want this way some want that way and no matter what way some still whine. They reject John the ascetic and Jesus the eccentric. The problem isn’t’ the messengers or even the message, its the heart. These people are resistant to the message of repentance and submission to the authority of Jesus! They don’t want to follow his way and rule. Which at first seems like a bummer but according to v35 gloom is not whole story. Wisdom--Gods way--is followed by those who follow John and Jesus.  Wisdom is justified by her children is a way of saying the right choice will be very evident. Proof is in the pudding. Those who trust God’s ways, even the unexpected ways, will be those who experience blessing and vindicate the truly wise choice. Those who reject will be seen as the generation whose heart was against the purposes of God.

This is unexpected greatness Not human results but humble response. Leaders should declare God to be just but instead the least likely people and tax collectors do! Those it says “this generation” in v31 referring to those in Jesus day, means the same to this generation today. WE too must evaluate what is my response to the authority of Jesus when it confronts me in expected and unexpected ways. Will I be offended or submit. Will I declare his way just or will I resist. Which way are you choosing?

In Luke 7, the question Luke leaves hanging is not whether Jesus has authority—He clearly does. The question is what you will do when He uses it in ways you don’t expect. Everyone is confronted by the same Jesus—but no one stays neutral. The centurion didn’t expect to be worthy—but trusted Jesus and got help. The widow didn’t expect intervention—but received it. John didn’t expect this kind of Messiah—but in bringing his questions got an answer. The crowd had to make a choice—and though unexpected the results will play out to prove God’s way right. What about you?

Do you trust His authority? Do you believe His compassion toward you? Where do you find yourself wanting Jesus to act in line with your expectations rather than allowing him to confront them? Where might you be resisting Jesus and what would it look like to trust His authority in these areas this week? Let’s pray and ask for God to expose our unbiblical expectations, help us submit to his authority, and praise him for his compassionate work in our lives—even in unexpected ways.

Pray--Help us see. Help us repent. Give us humility. Thank you for your work in helping, comforting, answering, and exposing.