How do we respond to change or new ways?
Some folks embrace it, while others resist. Jesus certainly understands this all too well.
As He began His ministry, He was the new preacher in town, and what He taught was certainly quite different than what they had learned or what they were accustomed to.
It was time to enlarge and gather His first disciples. Who was one of the first ones Jesus called to follow him? Levi (Matthew), the tax collector, was singled out by Jesus. Tax collectors were considered to be part of the non-trusted group like the adulterers and robbers.
So, the people asked Jesus, “Why did you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5: 30)
Jesus was questioned about his decision like sometimes we are.
- Your calling will cause some questioning, maybe even among family members.
The choice of choosing Levi to be first would have been the last choice for many.
- We must learn to choose not with the majority but with what the Lord is choosing.
- It will usually be different than what everyone thinks.
“Get used to different” was a phrase I loved from The Chosen Series that would be appropriate to use in my analogy of choosing what God wants. He usually directs us in a different way than what others may think.
Jesus often spoke in parables as He was teaching. He said this as He was healing the sick. A person must recognize Himself to be a sinner before he can be spiritually healed. That’s why He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Luke 5: 31)
His new way caused many to question Him once again.
The people were asking Jesus why His disciples were not fasting. The religious leaders were seeing His freedom to eat and enjoy banquets, and His disciples were joining in with that freedom.
After being questioned, Jesus answered, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?” (Luke 5: 34)
- Fasting is not a legalistic practice for display.
- Fasting can be done privately, never announcing one’s task to do so.
From The Old To The New
Using the parable of the old and new wineskin, he says, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.” (Luke 5: 37-38)
- Out with the old, in with the new.
- God delights in all of the new, even if it means never mixing the old.
- Holding on to old patterns and old ways may keep us reluctant to open up our spirits to the new.
God has said, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth.” (Isaiah 43: 19)
- Prepare for the new.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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