The Gospel of Luke – Jesus is for everyone:Jesus loves the outcasts, sinners and despised people
Luke 5:12-32
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- Jesus loves outcasts (vs 12-16) – Leprosy made people total outcasts. This man was not just ill and disfigured, he had lost everything. He was rejected by society. The Jewish religion did not allow people to mix with lepers. Lepers were not allowed in or near the temple and people were made unclean by just being near them. Jesus did the unimaginable and reached out and touched the leper. That touch changed everything. It brought not just healing, but hope, restoration and reunion.
- Do you feel rejected and outcast? You are not an outcast to Jesus. He will reach out and touch you if you cry out to Him. Just one touch from Jesus can change everything.
- What is your attitude to outcasts? We are called to be like Jesus. Jesus challenges us to reach out to the outcasts.
- Jesus loves sinners (vs 17-26) – Jesus did the unexpected again here. He did not touch the paralyzed man and heal him, instead he forgave him. The biggest issue in the mans life was his sin and not his paralysis. Jesus knew that the man needed more than just healing. We think we know what we need, but God looks at the heart.
- Are you paralyzed by sin in your life? Repent and turn to Jesus. He can and will forgive you.
- Jesus loves despised people (vs 27-32) – Tax collectors were despised as collaborators with the enemy. They cheated and took advantage of their own people and made themselves rich. They were hated by everyone. People would have been shocked that Jesus even spoke to Levi. Calling Levi to follow Him was unthinkable, but Jesus came to save unsavoury people like Levi.
- Rather than despising people we should be praying for their salvation.
- Jesus loves outcasts (vs 12-16) – Leprosy made people total outcasts. This man was not just ill and disfigured, he had lost everything. He was rejected by society. The Jewish religion did not allow people to mix with lepers. Lepers were not allowed in or near the temple and people were made unclean by just being near them. Jesus did the unimaginable and reached out and touched the leper. That touch changed everything. It brought not just healing, but hope, restoration and reunion.