Folks, last week we started off by talking about Jesus’ decision to go on to Jerusalem and face the end of his life—the one God had in mind for him. As the NRSV translates it, Jesus ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’; he was determined to reach that destination because he knew that if he did he’d be fulfilling God’s will for his life … and saving the world from itself. So, on down the road he went, from that lonely mountain in Galilee … south to Jerusalem…
But I want you to know something today. Just because Jesus made the irrevocable decision to go to Jerusalem to confront the Temple authorities and face the powers of the Roman Empire, this did not mean that his ministry came to an end! All 4 gospels show us that his entire ministry as he was ‘on the way’ between Galilee and Jerusalem really demonstrated the heartbeat of his ministry—God’s heart of justice, mercy and love…
And today, folks, we’re going to look at some of the stories of Jesus’ healings, teachings, and feedings … along the way. But here’s what you need to know, before we get started: You and I are ‘on the way’ too. And if Jesus, the One we follow, was about these things—even when he had set his face set to do God’s will, to reach his final destination, then you and I should be about these things, too. For Jesus said (Matt. 10:24-25a, NLT),
“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master.”
So we need to be about what Jesus was about … as we’re on our way to our final destination, too! Are you ready? Let’s get right into it! First, the…
THE HEALINGS OF JESUS. Folks, Jesus had an extremely compassionate heart—compassion given to him by the Father and through the Spirit that dwelt in him. And guess what? You and I can be filled with that same Spirit of love and compassion, too!
Because much of Jesus’ ministry—up there in Galilee and elsewhere—involved healing, some refer to Jesus as ‘The Great Physician’ (Luke 4:23; Matt. 9:12-13). Do you remember last week, when Jesus came down the mountain after the Transfiguration, he took the time to heal a young boy whose father had come to him (Luke 9:37-43). Do you remember that? Well, those healings continued along the way … and sometimes Jesus encountered that opposition we talked about last week too. Let me give you some more examples: First…
- THE WOMAN IN THE SYNAGOGUE
Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach. While there, a woman slipped in—a lady so severely crippled that she couldn’t even stand up straight. The story tells us that she’d been crippled for over 18 years (Luke 13:10-17)! And here’s what was going on behind the scenes…
Over the years, in an effort to keep God’s laws, religious leaders had made up other laws so that folks could actually keep the 3rd Commandment, “Keep the Sabbath day and treat it as holy” (Deut. 5:12). So, we’ve got laws on top of laws on top of laws. Over the years, the religious hierarchy had made things very complicated. So, what happened?
Those who challenged Jesus healing on this day believed—because of their laws on top of laws on top of laws—that he’d dishonored the Sabbath. Jesus placed his hands on this crippled woman … and she straightened up at once and praised God (Luke 13:10-13)! And Jesus looked those religious leaders in the eye—those accusing him—and here’s what he said (Luke 13:15-16, NLT):
“But the Lord replied, ‘You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?’”
The opponents were silenced & the crowd rejoiced! Verse 17 says, “This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.” Luke goes on to tell us that, even as Jesus traveled south, he performed additional miracles, like…
- THE HEALING OF THE 10 LEPERS in Luke 17 (11-13, NLT)…
“As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’”
In those days, people who were infected with leprosy and other skin diseases were considered ‘unclean’—outcasts from society (i.e. couldn’t go to market, couldn’t go to Temple, etc.). So, Jesus—full of compassion—took pity on them & healed them—one of them, a Samaritan, actually returning to thank Jesus!
Folks, these powerful healings took place while Jesus was ‘on the way’ to his death (Luke 17:11-19). His ministry never stopped as he was ‘on the way’ … and neither should ours!
There are so many all over this planet today that are sick & dying! And, if God’s love & compassion extends to all people—everywhere, then shame on us if ours doesn’t do the same! WE ARE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS! And God wants to use us to accomplish his healing purposes in the world today … like curing Malaria, for instance (Imagine No Malaria)! In John 14:12, Jesus tells Philip:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
Though the caring & healing we’re involved in may not be exactly like Jesus, Christianity’s done its part over the years and we need to continue…
- …for 20+ centuries, there’ve been monasteries all over Europe all about caring for the sick and dying…
- …Wesley and the Early Methodists reached out to ‘the least of these’ and gave healing care…
- …hospitals started all over our country by the Church—like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis … or the Methodist Hospital System, Indianapolis, Houston, and other places…
In the spirit of Christ—the Great Physician, we need to continue his healing ministries as we are ‘on the way’. I believe Jesus would be pleased with that and urge us on! Then, as Jesus was ‘on the way’ to his final destination, we also witness…
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS. Jesus, the Teacher (Rabbi), taught, explained, and used parables … even as he was ‘on the way’ to Jerusalem. Jesus wanted everyone to hear, know and understand God’s word! Unfortunately, ignorance of Jesus’ teachings (God’s word) is huge today! A 2009 Barna study tells us this:
“By the time most Americans reach the age of 13 or 14, they think they pretty much know everything of value the Bible has to teach. … In a culture driven by the desire to receive value, more Bible teaching is generally not viewed as an exercise in providing such value.”
Folks, many years ago, the OT prophet Amos warned that there’d be a thirst for God’s word coming in the future (8:11-12, NLT):
“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”
People have been known to stagger for a lot of reasons … but what Amos is talking about here is the desert … and trying to survive it without water. That’s what God’s word is to our souls! It’s that important. And, folks, Amos’ warning to the people of Israel should keep us awake at night; this is a message for us too!
So, let me first say this before I get into a sampling of Jesus’ teachings: Jesus’ teachings are basic to the understanding of what it means to be a Christian, to have Christ-like behavior and so on. And the Gospels give many examples of Jesus’ teachings as he was ‘on the way’, like…
- The Good Samaritan – Jesus tells this parable in response to a lawyer’s inquiry about how to gain eternal life. The conversation brought up the commandments from Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18 which Luke records in 10:27 (NLT): “…‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus’ response to the question ‘Who is my neighbor?’ turned the tables by letting his audience know that we are the neighbors who must care for the needs of others! A true reflection of Jesus’ heart… Here’s another:
- The Pharisees were continually challenging Jesus, one day asking him about divorce (Matt. 19:6-11). But Jesus turned this conversation around and talked about God’s view of marriage instead—in a new way, a way that really showed compassion for women in particular—the kind we’re to show others… Then:
- Jesus taught about the growth of God’s kingdom (Luke 13:18-21; 15) and used the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast. Then Jesus told stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the Prodigal Son—all giving us vivid examples of God’s love. Again and again, Jesus’ teachings call us to show compassion & care for others…
But if there’s one central thing Jesus’ teachings show us, it’s this: The Lord not only wants us to know his words and to live out his words, but also to teach them to others. Remember Jesus’ words of Matthew 7:24: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” That’s who we need to be … teaching others to do the same. So, Jesus continued to minister to others ‘on the way’ to Jerusalem and there’s one more thing he was doing too, so let’s now look at…
THE FEEDINGS OF JESUS. Yep, sometimes Jesus was also in charge of the food!
Hunger was prevalent in Israel in Jesus’ day. Remember the Hebrews had miraculous ‘manna’ during their 40 years in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. But even after they arrived, drought often took its toll on the crops & the pastures. Men who lost their tiny farms were often forced into slavery, or working for an occasional meal. Widows & orphans were generally destitute. The Roman Empire levied huge taxes … and the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Jesus understood hunger!
Do you remember Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness after he’d been baptized by John in the Jordan, as the beginning of his ministry? 40 days and 40 nights of prayer and fasting took place out in the wilderness. Jesus understood hunger!
During his ministry, and on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus miraculously fed crowds—the 4,000 and the 5,000. And an important line in the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, of course, is: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11, NRSV). So, daily nourishment is important. Then, in one of the most dramatic teachings about hunger (Matt. 25), Jesus talks about himself being hungry and given food to eat, and thirsty and given a drink. Then, he’s asked about that. ‘When did that happen, Jesus?’ And the response was (v. 40):
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
Jesus understood hunger … and he cares about people who are hungry! He made time for this ‘on the way’ to Jerusalem…
Jesus cares about hunger in our community too! And I have to say, I’ve never been so proud of the community that’s gathered together here on Wednesday nights to feed and warm—at least for a little while—those who are hungry … and those who are cold … and some who don’t really have a place to live right now. I’m thankful to this church for hosting ‘Feeding Friends’ and for the handful of dedicated people who are helping make this happen week after week after week. Folks, Jesus understands hunger … and he cares about those in Dodgeville who are hurting in this way, too!
Feeding Friends Serving Line
Feeding Friends Meal
You know what? You and I are ‘on the way’ too… Most of us are busy with work & family, but … while we’re ‘on the way’ to our final destination…
- We have time to give used clothes to Good Will or Wee Care…
- We have time to visit some who can’t get out to church regularly…
- We have time to donate food to one of our many food pantry options … or directly to programs like ‘Feeding Friends’…
- We have time to give of our time to teach some of our young people about God’s word (and some are faithfully doing that week after week after week)…
- We have time to swing by on Wednesday nights and offer a hand with the dishes after the meal is over—every little bit helps…
There’s always something we can do that can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Jesus had ‘set his face’—determined to get to Jerusalem … but people mattered, even along the way. The bottom line is, Jesus’ compassion for people never wavered … and ours shouldn’t either…
In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus shares one of his final teachings, after letting his readers know there’ll come a time when God judges the world; he’ll separate the sheep from the goats (the good from the bad), and to the sheep he says:
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”
As Jesus traveled, he was focused on his destination—ultimately headed toward his death; yet he took time ‘on the way’ to heal &/or care for the sick, teach the ways of God to those who would listen, and feed the hungry. And as we travel through this life of ours—to our final destination, I’m pretty sure that Jesus expects the same from us…