Upside Down Kingdom

Mar 6, 2023

During the first week of our Lent sermon series “Forty,” Pastor Jared gave a powerful sermon on Luke 7:18-35.

In this passage, John the Baptist is offended when Jesus leaves him in prison. Jesus affirms John’s leadership and teaches that those who are scandalized and offended but remain faithful are truly blessed. Pastor Jared challenged us to get offended by Jesus and then go be offensive - in a Christlike way. As I reflected on this passage again for today’s devotional, I was particularly struck by the last few verses.

“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

- Luke 7:33-35

John lived an ascetic, radical lifestyle, preaching a somber message of impending fiery judgment. At first, people were drawn to this passionate, strange man living in the wilderness. But quickly, his following plummeted as people became convinced that only demonic possession could explain his radical way of living.

While John was ascetic, Jesus lived like a normal person. He ate, drank, attended weddings and funerals. Rather than confining his ministry to the wilderness, Jesus engaged in the towns and synagogues. Unlike John’s anti-social ministry, Jesus mixed with all levels of society, including the sinners and tax collectors. The religious leaders were outraged by this and began to accuse Jesus of being one of the sinners.

Jesus and John are both rejected because their behavior defied cultural norms.

Jesus wasn’t a friend to tax collectors and sinners in the sense that the Pharisees described it. He didn’t endorse or engage in their sin. But he did love them in their brokenness, and invited them into a different way of living.

Jesus closes his statement by saying that the proof of their message will be shown through the product of it, or the “children.” The fruit that will come from Jesus’ disciples and future followers will affirm the truth of his gospel that so many around him were doubting.

This season of Lent, of preparation and anticipation and discipline, perhaps God is inviting you to remember that this gospel is one that offends.

This gospel is one that may result in us looking different and acting different, and even being treated differently. But when we are convinced of the truth of the gospel, it doesn’t matter the names that people call us inside or outside of the church. It doesn’t matter the perception, because we are confident in the foundation we’re standing on.

Jesus was determined to live out a loving, radical, endlessly gracious gospel. He defied rules and barriers, he sat with people that were hated, he washed the feet of those who would betray him. He didn’t worry about the money, or the follower count, or the fear of suffering.

Jesus knew what mattered most was sharing the love of the Father, and that the fruit would come in time.

This Lent season, where is God inviting you to stop worrying about the expectation of others, and start living radically for your Savior? Who is God inviting you to extend an arm to? Are there some sinners and tax collectors you need to have a meal with? And where in your own heart do you have the shame of a sinner or the judgment of a Pharisee? Perhaps God is inviting you to experience the love and grace of Jesus in those places in a new way this year.