Pushing Religious Buttons - Luke 7:1-49

Thoughts from the message on 3/26/17

Pushing Religious Buttons - Luke 7:1-49 -

In Chapter 7, Luke is addressing a few simple snapshots within Jesus ministry. While they each have a unique message within the narrative, we see here that throughout this entire chapter, that Luke was trying to establish that Jesus ministry wasn’t to the religious of the day, but to those that were outside of the religious culture or to anyone who would listen and respond. These stories would have pushed the buttons of the religious leaders of the day, because their focus was on outward pious expressions and not on serving others.

Luke begins here, by showing us a non Jewish person, the Centurion, who was coming to Jesus in faith. Luke here points out something that was outside of the box, that a non Jewish individual recognizes who Jesus was, unlike the religious leaders who weren’t willing to admit in faith that Jesus had power over the physical world.

Jesus’ willingness to meet the needs of those that were hurting or poor or needy, steps over a line that had been written in the dirt by the religious leaders of the day. Their religion was focused on self protection and comfort rather than for those who were in places of need. In our day, we fight the same battles of self protection and comfort rather than meeting others needs. However, Jesus encourages us to lose our life in order the gain it, in other words following Him equals true life.

When the religious leaders separated themselves from those outside, they were robbing themselves of the ministry and true life that Jesus was desiring for them. It is important for us to remember that we aren’t here to only live a life of comfort and self protection, but as Jesus models for us, to go out and make sure to help others experience the true life in Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:  

1. Where have you removed yourself from experiencing the true life that Jesus offer and sought self protection and comfort instead?
2. If you had to chose one area, what would you turn over to God today in order to seek what He truly desires from Him?
3. What could you do as a group to join Jesus in serving others?

Contributed by: Geoff Leatherman