TWO UNLIKELY FAITH MODELS

The Gospel of Luke 2  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  39:16
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[The Gospel of Luke] Intro: Let’s get back into Luke’s head as we begin this morning. He has shown his reader the miraculous conception, announcement, and birth of this Jesus. He depicts the boy Jesus with an awareness of his unique connection to the Heavenly Father, followed by the prophet John the Baptist preparing the people for the Messiah’s arrival. And when John baptizes Jesus, heaven itself confirms, by the words of the Father and the visible presence of the Spirit, that this is no ordinary human, but God’s own Son, and the one anointed and appointed for a special task.
Luke describes not only the messianic Davidic pedigree of this Jesus of Nazareth (genealogy), but also traces his lineage all the way back to Adam, the father of humanity and the federal head of our sin nature. By contrast to Adam, Jesus is shown to be tempted by the devil, but emerges victorious without sinning. As Jesus begins his ministry, his unique power and authority are on full display as he performs miracles of healing and exorcism, as he preaches with unparalleled insight and authority, as he calls men to follow him and they immediately leave everything behind to do so, and as he courageously and pointedly confronts the wrong attitudes and regulations imposed upon the people by the religious rulers.
Jesus then continues ministry with his chosen twelve, beginning to shift his focus toward what he must accomplish at Jerusalem, and preparing these apostles and other disciples for future ministry. Miracles in this section are present but less prominent, as Luke puts closer attention to Jesus’ proclamation that the kingdom is at hand, to Jesus’ instruction with his disciples (in parables and declarations of the meaning and cost of discipleship), and to the ever-rising confrontation and conflict with the established religious leaders. Although they do not understand, Jesus explains to his followers, with greater detail each time, that he must fulfill Scriptural prophecy and accomplish the will of the Father through suffering rejection and death, only to rise again (18:31-34).
We near the end of this Jerusalem Journey section that will give way to Luke painting a vivid portrait of Christ’s Passion, and we find increased questions about the nature of the kingdom—about the when and to whom it belongs. Despite the confusion of the religious elite and the disciples alike, Luke depicts Jesus teaching even at this stage that the first phase of the kingdom has already come in his presence. And Jesus makes clear that the future consummated kingdom will belong to those who see that he sovereignly offers salvation by his grace and from their place of need will respond to him in faith, not trusting in themselves—whether they are self-righteous in their religion or believing they are self-sufficient in their riches (18:9-30).
[Sermon Title] So now we journey with Jesus as his mission leads ever-nearer to Jerusalem, and we come to Jericho, where Luke gives what onlookers would consider to be two unlikely models of saving faith—a blind man and a rich tax collector. From these examples we see the life-changing power of Jesus, and some key elements of a right response to him.
The first shows the humble, needy posture of one who responds in faith. And Jesus demonstrates mercy and power. In the second, Jesus’ initiative is again juxtaposed to a right response. It emphasizes both Jesus’ mission and what the fruit of faith, the outworking of conversion, looks like.
Luke 18:35–43 ESV
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Luke 19:1–10 ESV
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
If you’ve ever thought that you are too lost for Jesus to save you, for God to restore you and make you his own, look no further than these two examples to see that Jesus is indeed sufficient to transform you. Look also to these two as a models for how we are to be responding to God’s initiative toward us through Jesus.

A Blind Beggar: Bartimaeus

We know his name bc Mark tells us in a parallel account (Mk 10:46). While Matthew mentions two beggars, Luke and Mark both focus on the one who has detailed interaction with Jesus.
What’s so important about this episode for Luke is that Bartimaeus receives not only physical sight but spiritual sight as well. From the perspective of the blind man, let’s trace the key steps in this life-altering encounter.
Bartimaeus knows need.
Bart recognizes Jesus as God’s Messiah. - Son of David.
Bart fervently pleads for mercy. - A humble cry for mercy is an essential component in an appeal for salvation.
Others rebuke him and try to silence him, but he perseveres. - They would likely have done this because of their belief that such physical disability was rooted in judgment for some sin. (John 9 Jesus teaches that such is not necessarily the case.) - He perseveres. (Luke 8:15) Would you be silent if you believed Jesus could restore your sight? Should we be silent knowing that Jesus restores souls to God?
Jesus heeds the needy.
Jesus asks what he desires. Why does Jesus make him ask? … This causes the person to further mentally process what they believe Jesus can do for them, so that when he accomplishes it, their belief is confirmed.
“See.” (vv. 41,42,&43)
Jesus intentionally uses terminology for physical healing with a double entendre for spiritual healing. - Your faith has saved you. - The power of God applied to Bart personally serves to confirm his faith that Jesus is the Messiah.
‘Seeing Bartimaeus’ now follows Jesus in discipleship, glorifying God in the work of Jesus. (strong connotations to the deity of this Messiah)
As with many miracle stories in Luke, the author draws attention to the wonderment and praise of those present. They recognize at the time that this is the authority and power of God working through Jesus. (It also serves to remind us, as Jesus draws near to Jerusalem, that his popularity among the people for miracles like this only fuels the religious leaders’ angst and dislike and determination concerning Jesus.)
From this example, I would like to briefly draw your attention to some critical components of saving faith.
Saving faith is in a person, the God-Man Jesus Christ. - Salvation comes to the one whose faith is in a person, Jesus Christ, and who appeals to him from a place of need. - The saving power is in Jesus. Who receives that blessing? Who is rich before God? The one who recognizes the need for God’s mercy and follows Jesus by faith.
Saving faith is a plea for mercy.
Saving faith won’t be silenced or stifled. (bc nothing compares to knowing Jesus - Peter, Paul)
Saving faith glorifies God and follows Jesus.
Not only does Bartimaeus receive sight, but he goes from a penniless, hopeless, helpless beggar to follower of Jesus, an adopted child of God with a guaranteed eternal inheritance. His focus would necessarily shift from earthly provision (begging) to spiritual provision.
And that is certainly the obvious case for the next faith model:

A Short But Rich Tax Collector: Zacchaeus

The transformation for Zacchaeus is no less dramatic than for Bartimaeus, even though he doesn’t miraculously gain height the way the first gains sight.
While the emphasis in the first section is primarily on the blind man’s faith and Jesus’ compassion and power, the second is on Jesus’ own initiative to save the lost and then on a model response, revealing the fruit of conversion.
*Lukes wants us to see that Zacchaeus trades earthly wealth for eternal riches. His focus shifts from wanting to get a glimpse of Jesus to giving his whole life to honor him.
Again, let’s trace this miracle from the Zach’s perspective.
Zacchaeus knows what it is to be a wealthy outcast. - Chief tax collector makes him an ostracized outsider among the Jews. He’s good at making himself rich too. (worked his way up to being “chief,” and knows how to work the system and make a little extra for himself… as judging by his restitution)
Jericho - see background commentary
Zach wants to know you Jesus is, but the crowd is an obstacle for someone small of stature. (Again, Jesus is popular walking down the street of Jericho.) Zach zips on a little ahead (ha ha, lotta good puns in there) to climb a sycamore (different than ours… easy to climb)
Jesus initiates a relationship with Zach, even indicating a necessity that he should be hosted at his house. - Bc of v. 9, we know this is divine necessity for Jesus to bring salvation to those in Zach’s home.
Zach receives him joyfully.
Others would stop Jesus from doing such a thing: ***
Zach demonstrates that his repentance and faith are genuine, wanting to not only make restitution for wrong but to be generous. - This is how lives are transformed by the gospel. This is how genuine faith overflows in life.
Jesus declares salvation again, with a statement to Zach that deliberately has the ear of the “all” who grumble that Jesus associates with the most detestable sinners. - And there’s a connection to the NT theme that not all physical descendants of Abraham are the true sons of God bc they lack a saving relationship with God. Zacchaeus, on the other hand, is a true son of Abraham bc he is not simply one by virtue of physical ancestry but by faith. (see Gal. 3:7)
A primary, if not the primary them in Luke is summarized in Jesus final words: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - Not those who think they are found, who are self-righteous and self-sufficient, who are rich in themselves.
Again, there’s something important to note here about saving faith.
Salvation comes not because you seek rightly, but because Jesus seeks you. It is the initiative of God that assures your salvation. Jesus seeks and saves the lost. - If you are committing your life to God by faith in Jesus, not on your terms but on his, then you don’t have fret about whether or not this is real. God does the work.
And then your new and true commitment to Jesus will bear fruit. Saving faith bears fruit. We know we are saved and restored to God because Jesus changes us.
Conclusion:

Live Like You Can See

These two amazing episodes are more than excellent literary technique from Luke, although there’s nothing wrong with appreciating that.
We learn here from Luke’s Gospel that sight is a matter of the heart and not just the eyes.
What will it take for the spiritually blind to see God? Miraculous intervention from God himself. What will it take for the rich to not trust in self—in personal influence and in material possessions—but to trust in God? Initiative for God to reveal, through Jesus, that God is better and more trustworthy.
There was a blind beggar in dire need in Jericho. There was a wealthy tax collector in dire need in Jericho. Zacchaeus’ spiritual need was the same as that of the blind man, Bartimaeus, but it was harder for bystanders to see this.
And by God’s grace the spiritually blind and dead must turn to see Jesus as the only sufficient answer to their need.
One desired the ability to see, the other wanted to see Jesus, to know who he was. A personal encounter with Jesus miraculously transformed both men, as Jesus demonstrated compassionate initiative toward them, and they responded in faith—a faith that trusted in Jesus’ person and power, and in his worthiness for them to follow him with their whole lives.
That’s what you must do to be restored to God and begin your journey of following Jesus—entrust your whole life to Jesus.
*Christians, humble dependence on the grace of God isn’t a disposition we only need once in order to be saved.
Secondly, saving faith isn’t something you just do one time to make sure you have a ticket to heaven. Saving faith is transformational. As you submit to God in following Jesus and see the ongoing fruit in your life, assurance that you are his will increasingly grow in parallel to your growth in Christian maturity.
Follow is a good description. We keep pursuing him, and he gives us assurance because we continue in sanctification. … Positionally sanctified, progressively sanctified (I see the change and I want to change more), and finally will be perfectly sanctified. - Live our lives saying thank you.
Again, believers, we must live like we have been given spiritual sight… we were spiritually dead but are now alive… We are able to please God by following Jesus…
Let’s live consistently with the privilege we have been given.
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