Sermon Tone Analysis

[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.

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: