Jesus returned to his hometown. Everyone recognised him and soon there was a
crush around his house. As Jesus spoke
to the people, some friends brought a man who had never been able to walk to
Jesus. They saw the pack of people but
did not give up. Skilfully they climbed
on the roof of the house and removed tiles, making a hole through the
ceiling. They lowered their friend down
by a rope right next to where Jesus sat.
Everyone was in uproar, but Jesus quietened them down and shook the man’s
hand. “Because of your faith, you are right
with the Creator”, he said. Some of the local
leaders started to mutter, “Speaking for the Creator of the universe now!
Something’s not quite right here!” But
Jesus knew what they were saying and addressed them directly. “Tell me”, he said, “which is easier, to put
someone right with the Creator, or to enable them to walk, something they have
never done in their lives?” And with
that he took the man by the hand and encouraged him to stand. This man, who had never stood upright in his
life, was staring round at a room full of people. “Take your things”, said Jesus “and go
quickly before things get out of hand”, for the whole neighbourhood was in a
commotion.
One day, Jesus was with a large crowd down by the lake. As he walked home he saw Levi, and government
official, sitting in his office. Jesus
went over and talked to him. “I know you
want a different life. Join me.” Levi was delighted and at once went with
him. As Jesus was sharing a meal with
Levi, and other distrusted characters, the religious leaders noted and derided
him. “He’s one of them, they said, see he’s
nothing special.” Jesus knew what they
were saying and look straight at them.
“I have come to the ones who ask for help, much like a doctor, and can
only help those who want to get better.”
Some people in the town were not eating and being very pious
in their attitudes. The people asked why
Jesus’ friends did not take life more seriously. Jesus explained saying, “when the friends are
with the bridegroom, they have a laugh.
It is a time to celebrate. Sadly,
there will be a time for loss too, and sadness to come, but not right
now.”
“Choose the right actions for the right occasions. Don’t make an expensive repair to an old pair
of jeans, or keep valuable wine in an old bucket. No, an expensive repair is for the finest
clothes, and new wine goes into shiny clean bottles.”
Jesus was with his friends one day, and a few of them were
smoking. “Why do you let your people
damage their own health?” Challenged a religious leader. “This is a terrible example to others.”
Jesus replied, “Some things are trivial compared to the
massive needs all around us that we seem to ignore.”
Jesus went into a meeting place and noticed someone who was critically
sick. Jesus immediately went over to
them and started to help them. Several
people notice and formed a crowd. Some
in the crowd were eager to see what Jesus would do, knowing that he had no
valid medical qualifications. Jesus knew
exactly what was going on and turned to the crowd. Challenging them, he said “Here is a man I
can rescue from death, but you say he should die because I am not qualified to
help.” Jesus could see that the leaders
were more concerned for their own power and status than seeing anything good
happen to this person. Having authority over all things. Jesus turned
to the man and blessed him, and the deadly sickness was gone. For that day people there began to plot how
Jesus could be silenced.
Levi has a comfortable 'government job'. This came with a secure pension. But he was not happy. He knew straight away that what Jesus offered him was better.
A new life goes into fresh 'bottles'. Everything is renewed. It's not a bit of goodness patched onto a bad old way of life. The whole things is clean and shiny.
Jesus cuts though the crap. "Your logic does not put people and their needs first. It puts power and authority first. Sorry, I can't comply with that logic."
The reply, "Yes, and for that we hate you. You are an inconvenience. We will have you removed."
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