Intentionally Stepping In It

This week, I offer you three stories, with some observations on the way. As you read, think on two levels. First, consider how you, right now, are looking for God’s continued restoration work in your life. The way Jesus – as God-in-the-flesh – operated then is how God operates now. Take heart in the beauty of God’s approach to restoring you. Second, read with the eye of a disciple. We are called not to simply enjoy God’s redemption for ourselves, but to be used of God in the redemptive process of others.

Jesus and the Roman Officer (Luke 7:1-10 NLT)
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”

So Jesus went with them.

Note: God looks beyond our associations and affiliations. God really doesn’t care about your politics, and loves you regardless of how important you think they are.

But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”

Note: God affirms what you’ve learned so far and builds on it. God builds on what you’ve learned so far – God doesn’t ridicule you regarding your ignorance.

And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

Note: God will meet the need, but do we trust him to lead? Do we really allow God to be God? Can we trust God to be good?

Jesus and the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19 NLT)

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Note: God sees you as more than your label. No matter how others have devalued you, or how much you have devalued yourself, your value has never changed with God – you are precious in his sight.

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

Note: God offer healing through the journey. Are we willing to take steps toward healing, or do we only allow God to heal us on our own terms?

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Note: God personally blesses those who return thanks. Those who honor their relationship with God experience a relationship with God.

Jesus and the Homeless, Naked, Demon-Possessed Cemetery Dweller (Luke 8:26-39 NLT)

So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.

Note: God moves into your territory. God lives in Vallejo as much as Napa; in Iraq as much as the US. But not Ireland. God hates the Irish. Just kidding!

As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.

Note: God is at work before you even know it. God builds many exits off the expressway to destruction – lots of orchestration for our redemption before we are aware.

Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.

Note: God calls us to name the problem because identifying it helps us conquer and avoid it in the future.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.

So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.

Note: God doesn’t value the symbols of your bondage. Be willing to let go of your substitute god.

When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran.  People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.  Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.  And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.

So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.  The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying,  “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

Note: God wants us to tell people what God has done for them. How else will they hear?

Think…

1.  Where are you seeking God’s redemption in your life?

2.  In which of the following statements are you most confident? Least confident? Why are you confident in some of the truths and not others? 

• God looks beyond our associations and affiliations.
• God affirms what you’ve learned so far and builds on it.
• God will meet the need if we trust him to lead.
• God sees you as more than your label.
• God offers healing through the journey.
• God personally blesses those who return thanks.
• God moves into your territory.
• God is at work before you even know it.
• God calls us to name the problem.
• God doesn’t value the symbols of your bondage.
• God wants us to tell people what God has done for them.

3.  In light of the above, how will you allow God to move forward in restoring you to greater life?

4.  When you Go Be Jesus, which of the following statements reflect you? Which ones don’t? Why do some reflect you more than others?

• Do I tell people what God has done for me?
• Do I look beyond associations and affiliations and simply see people?
• Do I affirm what’s been learned so far and build on it?
• Do I encourage people to trust that God will meet the need if we trust him to lead?
• Do I see people as more than their label?
• Do I help walk people through the journey of healing?
• Do I honor people who show gratitude?
• Do I move into uncomfortable territory?
• Do I live to bless others long before others recognize it?
• Do I help people identify their problems so that they can address them?
• Do I help people become free from the symbols of their bondage?
• Do I tell people what God has done for me, and encourage them to do the same?

5.  In light of all of this, how will you Go Be Jesus this week?