Who is Jesus: Friend of Sinners 4/21/24
In today's sermon, we explored the transformative power of Jesus Christ and His call to us to be agents of change and healing in a world marred by sin and separation from God. We began by acknowledging our own inability to fix our problems and our deep need for the Savior. This acknowledgment opens our hearts to the grace that only Jesus can offer, allowing us to submit to His will and walk in obedience.
We delved into the story of Levi, a tax collector who was viewed unfavorably by society, yet was called by Jesus to follow Him. Levi's immediate response, leaving everything behind without question, exemplifies the radical obedience and transformation to which we are all called. This act of leaving his tax booth symbolizes our own call to abandon our former lives and identities for a new life in Christ.
The narrative continued with Levi hosting a banquet for Jesus, inviting other tax collectors and sinners. This scene was pivotal, illustrating Jesus' mission to reach the lost and broken, those deemed unworthy by societal standards. The Pharisees' criticism of Jesus for associating with sinners highlights a recurring theme in the gospel: Jesus came not for the self-righteous, but for those who are aware of their spiritual sickness and need for a physician.
We also explored the metaphor of new wine being poured into new wineskins, which Jesus used to signify the new covenant of grace, contrasting with the old covenant of the law. This new covenant is not just a modification of the old but a complete transformation that requires a new receptacle, symbolizing our need to be made new in order to contain the fullness of life that Jesus offers.
The sermon concluded with a call to personal transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to become new creations, shedding our old selves and our reliance on human efforts and law-keeping for salvation. Instead, we are to embrace the new life that is characterized by grace, mercy, and the Spirit's renewing power.