September 1, 2019 Text: Luke 14:1-14
Dear Friends in Christ,
On The Andy Griffith Show amateur psychologist Deputy Barney Fife was always trying to help town drunk Otis Campbell cure his drinking. In one episode Barney shows Otis the Rorschach inkblot cards and asks him what he sees. When he shows him the one that looks like a butterfly, Otis sees a bat. No matter what Otis says with the rest of them they are usually the opposite of what Barney wants him to see. They end up yelling at one another and the guffaws ensue on the greatest comedy show of all time – in this Pastor’s opinion.
Jesus has been invited to dinner. People are watching him to see what he will do. They want to find something to accuse him of. Jesus is also testing them. Let’s step into the drama and ask . . .
“WHAT DO YOU SEE?”
The Pharisees are watching the Savior. A man with dropsy appears. Jesus gives the first test: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” (v. 3) The Pharisees answer was no as we see by their silence. They didn’t see a soul in pain that needed their help.
What do you see? When we look at those around us with problems and difficulties, do we feel annoyance and emotional tiredness? Do we grow weary of helping others especially those who come with problems but don’t listen to our advice? Do we set a boundary because we do not want to be an enabler? Do you see this as love?
Jesus gets to the deception. He uses a son and ox that have fallen in a well. “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Now it gets personal. Wouldn’t you help a loved one or an animal you need for labor? Again – silence.
Jesus on the other hand acts immediately. He healed the man and sent him away. In the same way He does not delay in healing and restoring us. He doesn’t wait to forgive us if we repent. Jesus doesn’t put our problems or pain off until a later time. He listens and then acts according to His will and purpose.
When the Pharisees see their peers, what do they see? How do they relate to others? Their love is for themselves. They want the highest honor and the best seat. They think their actions and work give them this deserved place.
What do you see? Don’t we size up others? Who is above me? Who is below me? Where ought I to sit? When we love ourselves the most then we see others as objects and not people.
Jesus again has an answer. In their narcissistic attitude – love of self – they may get moved down in the order. They may occupy the lowest place, the place of shame because they loved themselves more than others.
The proper way is to start out is at the lowest place. In our sin this is where we all are. We are so far away we can barely see the host of the dinner. But wait. Here He comes. He wants us to move up. Go to the front of the line. Sit in first class. In love He is sacrificially giving us a better place. This is Jesus’ sacrifice for us. He gave His life placing others in front of himself because of love.
When the Pharisees see their friends, what do they see? Is Jesus insulting the host? Has Jesus been invited because the host expects something from Him? Wouldn’t this host, a Pharisee have better social standing if he could catch Jesus doing something wrong? He is using others for himself.
He has invited those who love him. These people will gladly return love and invite him to their party. I say “love” here but it is really a mockery of love. It is not the deep sacrificial love Jesus has for us.
We too confuse love. We love our children but do we ever manipulate their lives? We love our spouse, but are we above emotional blackmail? We love our Pastor but will we still love him if he refuses to bury, marry, or commune someone we ask him to? What do you see?
Jesus expects nothing in return for His love. He loves purely and simply to help others. This is the love of God that led him to send his Son for our salvation. This is the love of God from which we will never be separated. In this love we see the gracious salvation that is indeed ours now.
In the 2008 movie Vantage Point the President gets shot. The rest of the movie is that moment in time. What was the vantage point of each main character? What did they see? Each of you this morning sees and hears this sermon from a different vantage point. Through the Holy Spirit can you trust the Savior’s love more faithfully? Can the Lord’s love motivate your love toward others? What did you hear today that has got you thinking – what do I see?
See this. A Savior who loves you. A Savior who sacrificially died for you. A Savior who wants to help you to love others more than yourself. Oh, say can you see? Yes, with the help of Jesus.
Amen.