Luke 5:36-39

Luke 5:36-39 

English Standard Version 

  When Jesus comes, he brings news of the new Kingdom, breaking in and requiring transformation.  If we try and accept his teachings into our old ways of thinking, then it doesn't fit.  The Kingdom changes us.  

  The Pharisees were intent on fitting Jesus into their old ways of thinking, and so they didn't know what to do with his teachings.  They eventually rejected him, because they were unwilling to change.

  So are you willing to set down your old ways of thinking, to trust Jesus completely, even if what is new is uncomfortable?  May we trust in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 5:33–35

Luke 5:33-35 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus gives us a glimpse into the coming Kingdom of God -- it is to be a feast, one where we celebrate the presence of the Kingdom of God.  It's a helpful reminder for us in the church -- how do we celebrate more, giving thanks to the risen Christ for transforming our lives and giving us a reason to hope?  How can our lives be one long celebration of what Christ has done for us?  God is good, and we are the recipients of so much goodness, so much grace.  Jesus points out there that there is a time for mourning, and a time for fasting... we all know this reality.  But joy will still come in the morning, and there is hope that breaks like the dawn!

Luke 5:29–32

Luke 5:29-32 

English Standard Version 

  Remember, Levi's life has been transformed.  He has left everything, and what does he do first?  He hosts a banquet, practicing hospitality.  If we don't know what our next step is as a Christian, hospitality is a good place to start.  Who can you host for a meal, for a coffee, for a chat?  Who can you open your life to?

  Jesus goes in to Levi's, and everyone else wonders why he's spending time with the broken, but Jesus reminds them that's exactly who he has come for -- those who are broken in some way.  We all qualify for this, but some see it better than others.  So may we humbly remember that we are all broken, and give thanks that Jesus comes to us.  It's also a good reminder that when you see other people in the world who you are certain are broken, that we should be careful about judging them, because Jesus has come for them, too.

Luke 5:27-28

Luke 5:27-28

English Standard Version 

  This is a reminder in the way that Jesus sees.  Tax collectors were reviled in these days, as they were Jews who were seen as people who turned their back on their own community and worked with the invading army.  Most were corrupt, as they had Roman soldiers to enforce their collections, whatever they wanted to take, as long as they remitted enough to Rome.  

  Jesus saw that, but he saw through it to the man, and he called him, regardless of his status and the way he was viewed in society.  Jesus called him because he loved him.  As a response, Levi left everything -- his life was completely transformed.

  Jesus sees us in the same way.  He sees past all the warts and scars and bad choices, and he loves us, wanting to transform our lives so that everything centers around him.  We wouldn't be the top of the list if someone was making a list based on the world's standards, but that's not how Jesus sees.  He sees us as treasured and beloved creations that he knit together in our mother's wombs, and he loves us.