13. Levi

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[Isaac L]

On 8/19/2020 at 9:14 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

1. Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day?

In my society the outcasts are perhaps the drug addicts and prostitutes - though they aren't rich. They are engaged in habits or occupations that we despise.

Whereas I wonder if there are any rich outcasts today. This world worships money, so perhaps the rich would be envied, whatever means they use to accumulate their wealth.

1. Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence?

Firstly, we may not be so gracious as to feel that God shows grace to blatant sinners. Although the theology in our heads may tell us so, our feelings do not align with it. Why, sometimes we can't even forgive ourselves for the wrongs we did, though God had forgiven us already!

Secondly, we might be secretly concerned about our reputation. What would people say about us if we hang around such people?

But of course, some of us may have come from such a background, and having come out of it, we find it too traumatic to face these people from the past.

I can only guess why Jesus was so at home in such company. Firstly, he must have been secure in his identity that he was the Son in whom the Father was well pleased (Luke 3:22). Whatever his reputation before the self-righteous people was, his identity would not be damaged by it. Secondly, maybe he was so compassionate for them that his thoughts weren't preoccupied about his own reputation. As he said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32) He truly wanted to win them back.

In reciprocation, these outcasts could sense his sincerity and acceptance, so they opened up to him.

1. Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that he had chosen you and really wanted you? Please share your experience with the others in your group.

Hmm, maybe not in the same sense as the rich outcasts. Only in my teens - when I felt nerdy, ugly and unpopular - I hadn't built up my identity and security. But I knew Jesus was a Friend to me always.

1. In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to?

We should be reaching out to the people who do not have Jesus - especially to those who know they are needy, sick, weak, in sin, hurting, etc., but do not know that they can find their answer in Jesus. This is a good reminder to evaluate the ratio of manpower, time, money, resources, etc., that the Church has invested in inward-directed programs compared to outward-directed outreach. Eg. there was a church (anonymous) that invested a few thousand dollars to build a stage prop (which was used only once in a Christmas play which anyway was attended mostly by her own members), but was very calculating in the way they paid missionaries overseas. Although we cannot judge too much from actions, it was the thrust of our priorities, passion, investment and efforts that we can evaluate.

 

[haar]

1.    Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day? In my country Nigeria, the police man who is generally regarded as corrupt bribe inclined

2.    Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? It is due to the holier than thou attitude Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence? He came for people like the so called outcast and did not mind what anyone especially the Pharisees thought.

3.    Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast?  Yes, whenever I recalled my youthful unspeakable ugly sinful sexual ways of immorality before I was baptized . What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that he had chosen you and really wanted you? I use to feel terribly bad and even now I sometimes still recall the past and feel guilty despite knowing that Jesus has forgiven me and remembers my past no more. I believe it the devil who still wants to pull me back to my ugly past.Please share your experience with the others in your group.

4.    In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to? Muslims and Fulani herds men some of who persecute and kill the Christians in my country. Jesus loves them and wants them to be saved. I personally have some friends among them that I love so much and pray for them to have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

[hanks]

1. Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day?

I think they would be those who love our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - the ones who are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. It’s not about our wealth or possessions it’s about our faith in Him. “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?” (James 2:5). We as believers are the rich outcasts of today – the sinners who Jesus came to die for.

[hanks]

2. Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? Why did Jesus succeed in making Himself so at home in their presence?

It reminds us of our desperate condition, of our evil thoughts, of the sins we have committed, and of who we were before our salvation. But for the grace of God; there go I. Then there is also the doubt, have we been truly forgiven? Maybe, we aren’t as good as we think we are? We tend to bring up the ugly past, forgetting that God has wiped our slate clean, and that we never need to be thinking of the past, for God forgives and forgets. We should rather be focusing on the new life we have in Christ. Remembering Psalm 103:12 which teaches us that God separates our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. Jesus spent time with sinners, not to join their sinful ways but to present them the good news that forgiveness was available. In order to preach the good news to the poor, the prisoners, the blind, and the oppressed, Jesus had to be mixing with them. Jesus Himself did not condone sin or participate in the destructive behaviours of the ungodly. He led a perfect, sinless life and had the “authority on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). He was showing that God’s kindness is intended to lead one to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

[hanks]

3. Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that He had chosen you and really wanted you? Please share your experience with the others in your group.

No, not really, but more uncomfortable about being among unbelievers, but truly grateful that before creation Jesus chose me! This truly amazes me – a sinner saved by grace. There is always the worrying possibility that I did not stand out enough to be an outcast? I’m often reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 were we are to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Here I enjoy communion with the Lord by prayer. Then there is Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. Wow! God is working all things together for good to those who love Him. I know that it may not always seem so!

There are times when we are suffering heartbreak, tragedy, disappointment, frustration, and bereavement, we wonder what good can come out of it. But the next verse gives us the answer: “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). So, whatever God permits to come into our lives is designed to conform us to the image of His Son. And then my favourite: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). I can’t imagine living in this world without the Lord on my side, without these promises, and without this understanding. Our Lord is sovereign, and knowing that He is control gives me complete peace, a peace that the world does not know or understand. (John 14:27).

[hanks]

4. In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to? 

In light of all I said above we should be reaching out to the outcasts, the unloved, the perishing, the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and the broken-hearted. All those that Jesus Christ came to rescue. We should be teaching them that without Jesus they cannot receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life; for Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). They must repent and put their trust in Him. He is the only way to heaven for sinful mankind – there is no other way. 

[Irmela]

1. Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day?       The politicians and often people in 'uniform'. Those who seem to have the authority and power. So often they seem corrupt. It is difficult to know who of them one can trust. One tries to shy away from them as much as possible. When one has to rely on them for help one hopes to have gotten an uncorrupted one. 
2. Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners?   Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence?         I guess it is so easy that in oneself one feels, 'There but for the grace of God, go I'   and also it is easily taken that our lifestyle then corresponds to theirs or one approves of their lifestyle. From them again one feels you give a small finger and before long they grab the whole hand and before long you are just as corrupt as they are. ....   Jesus went to them. He met them on their turf and once they seemed comfortable with Him they also sought Him out elsewhere. eg. Zaccaeus. He hid in a tree and Jesus invited him out in the open and then went to his home. Matthew ...  Jesus called him at his tax-collecting booth. He then invited friends and Jesus to his home. 
3. Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast?          I always do. Maybe I need to change that to I often do.           What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that He had chosen you and really wanted you?        Absolutely amazing. To feel His love just permeate my whole being. It was just indescribably amazing.           Please share your experience with the others in your group.    To know that He, the King of Glory, has forgiven all, is just awesome. To Him I can come but man who is so inferior to Him who can make me feel so insecure and afraid to approach them lest I do or say something that is disapproved of in their eyes. Lest I am misunderstood. It's weird. I do try to be bold and stand and go anyway but it is not easy. So I am mostly invisible in my being visible. 
4. In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to?     The outcasts and sin-sick souls. Those that are bound by sin. 

[Lisa Daley]

3. Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? What did it feel like to you when Jesus' voice broke through and let you know He had chosen you? 

When I was 58 years old,  Jesus healed me of schizophrenia.  I had been a Christian since I was 19. But although my initial conversion at 19 was dramatic,  so was my fall that sent me into banishment and ultimately the sentence of mental illness when I was 40 years old.  I had married when I was 30 and bore 3 sons which I homeschooled and brought up in the fear of the Lord.  But mental illness,  with its paranoia,  fear,  and anxiety ever loomed at my door.  By 40 I had a complete breakdown and began medication.  Through God's grace,  I was a highly functioning schizophrenic!  I went back to work and eventually held a job as a payroll specialist with 1800 team members on the docket.  But all the while I was deeply oppressed.  I hardly ever spoke because I was so controlled by fear. I felt like there was a cloud or blanket covering me; I felt that people didn't care or even see me.  And at home I was lazy and had let my home go.  It was dense with childhood belongings and junk that should have been cleaned out years ago.  It got so bad that I did not invite anyone to my home during the final 5 years of my disease.  I also became depressed and began drinking at home towards the end. 

So when Jesus came to me through circumstances that showed me it was time to believe Him for my healing,  I was ready!  For I did feel like an outcast,  isolated from society by mental illness that created not only a void surrounding me,  but one from within. 

Standing in my livingroom praising Jesus,  the heavens opened.  With my spiritual eyes I could see Jesus on His throne and II Peter 3:20 became real before me and I knew I was healed,  while at the same time I felt a deep satisfaction in my soul and I realized that that was what Jesus felt with being able to heal me.  I began to jump up and down and throw fist bumps towards heaven while yelling,  "I am healed!  I am healed!"  my soul had been touched by the Saviour and I would never be the same again. 

That was August 10, 2018. It has been a long journey of coming out of darkness.  I was able to quit work and stay home with Jesus,  who helped me clean my home over the next 18 months.  I made 7 dump runs and donated 5 times while Jesus and I rid my home, and my life, of the oppression of the past.  I do not recommend this journey be made alone.  I was fully submitted to my husband,  my pastor,  and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I was accountable to all,  and had many peope praying for me.  It has been 2 1/2 years now and I can truly say I am more free than I have ever been in my life!  I have finally,  at age sixty,  found my life's passion,  which is Jesus,  and I have discovered true purpose and the calling on my life.  I can't yet explain in words what it meant to me when Jesus chose me for this wonderful event of healing,  but I show Jesus everyday through my obedience! 

[Nana Karlsson]

In light of the lessons of this passage,we should follow Jesus example and love the unloved, the outcasts, the sick, unbelievers, people with addiction problems, prostitutes, people branded as social misfits, the hurting and broken hearted etc.etc.

I believe Christians feel uncomfortable around blatant sinners because often times some of us are judgemental and consider ourselves righteous having a " holier than thou" mindset. We miss the whole point of being Christ-like and having the mind of Christ.

Jesus suceeded in making Himself at home in the presence of the blatant sinners because He loves the unloved and the outcasts. He does not make a difference between people, does not play favourites. His mission is to rescue the perishing, the lost, to heal the sick, the oppressed, to set the captives free, to call sinners to repentance. etc, etc. Jesus did not come for the righteous.

 

 

[kreilly]

Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence?

I think Jesus was at home in their presence because they were honest about their sinful states and not trying to cover up or pretend like they are righteous.  People did not make Jesus uncomfortable because He wasn't worried about what they thought about Him.  He knew who He was.  

[Old Jerry]

Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day?

 

A. I think in our day the people that correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors would be the lawyers and politicians’.

     

Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence?

 

A. Maybe one of the reasons that we feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners is that we are concerned that it might rub off on us. We don’t want others to see us talking to such sinners.

In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to?

 

A. We should be reaching out to all the people.

 

 

[Bailey]

Bailey  Greetings, 

2.  Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners?  Why did Jesus succeed  in making himself so at home in their presence ?   As Christians, or anyone, how do we know a blatant sinner?  Judge not .  Society is so quick to judge a person and I think that is why Jesus was able to relate and befriend these people.  The reading says that they were dirty unclean, but Jesus loved them just the same.  The lesson for disciples is ti think like Jesus and not care what people say, it is not easy, we do.  The blatant sinner is what He loves.  The song, There's a Balm in Gilead is ever so refreshing, it soothes and heals the mind and the sin sick soul.  

[Godswriter]

1.    Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day? In the United States it would be businessmen, congressmen and women and senators even the president and vice president, even people that represent us at state level sometimes for some reason. 

2.    Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? I believe it is because we feel like we don't know how to relate them in some way.   Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence? It was because He chose to get baptized just like the sinners did in order to identify with them. 

3.    Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? Yes during high school and middle school when I was bullied by my peers and teachers. I felt like no one was listening to me and my concerns. It was not until God told me He had a plan for me and I met my friend Amber who I had known for years before she died who told me that God would redeem my past and He has. It felt like Jesus was refreshing my weary soul.  What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that he had chosen you and really wanted you?  .Please share your experience with the others in your group.

4.    In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to? The lost, the homeless, the teens whose parents are divorced, the outcasts, the people looking for answers, anyone in need of hope

[Lottie]

1.Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day?Probably the rich politicians or business men like Trump who cannot keep his mouth shut. Maybe the IRA people who do taxes.

2.Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence? I think we feel uncomfortable because of how they talk and act. It is offensive to us when they swear or tell dirty jokes. Because of His love for them; He deeply cared about their well being and where they would spend eternity. He wanted to befriend them and offer them the gift of eternal life as well. He knew that deep down inside they were miserable and unhappy. He wanted them to know real joy and peace through Him.

3.Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that he had chosen you and really wanted you? Please share your experience with the others in your group.Yes, plenty of times in high school I felt left out. I ate alone for lunch sometimes and I was teased by others. I even felt like an outcast in my church years ago; when me and my daughter were waiting for a couple to take us home. And some of the more popular women members were at a table talking and we were by ourselves. I felt loved and that someone really cared about me. That someone cared enough to listen to all my problems and hurts. That I would not be ignored anymore.

4.In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to? The poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, unwed mothers, drug addicts, drunks, and anyone else who is on the fringe of society.