The world is filled with victimhood. It became recognized in writing around 2014 and has continued to grow. However, the church was full of “victimhood” starting around the 1960’s. Instead of taking responsibility for ourselves, we blamed Satan for all of our sins and problems. This idea of blaming Satan then morphed into a wider arena of blaming others for our sins and downfalls. Soon thereafter, politicians picked up on this “victimhood” concept and began blaming laws, racism, sexism and all the other “isms” they could conger up for the failure of character development in our lives. Personal responsibility was soon demonized and tabooed. We are never to think anything is “my fault” but must be the fault of someone else or society. Therefore, we make up more and more laws in order to force others to behave so we don’t have to develop self-control, duty and responsibility in our own lives.
Along with this attitude grew up the concept that we are to receive praise for everything we do: the “Age of Entitlement”. It started in grade schools around the 80’s. The children were deemed too sensitive to handle “winners and losers”, therefore, everyone received a prize, trophy or ribbon. Again, this concept originated in the church around the same time as “victimhood”. You no longer had to take responsibility for going to Heaven, no, now it was taught that everyone would go to heaven. The churches saw us as “victims” and therefore it was the “duty” of Jesus to make sure you got there since it was not your responsibility. After all, He loves everyone and no one is at fault for “missing the mark”. You are “entitled” to Heaven. Remember, “Saved by Grace”!
With that attitude, children grew up thinking they could break the laws and not be held responsible for their actions. Politicians could steal, lie, cheat and not be held responsible. After all, the pastors were teaching the same in their churches. Why not apply it to all society? Jesus was responsible for our eternal life, government was responsible for our life and happiness on earth. No responsibility at all on our part. We could eat, drink or smoke anything we wanted, do anything we wanted and government, through the health care and welfare systems, would make up for any sickness or adverse consequences of our behavior.
Wherever the Bible is taught in truth, personal responsibility is taught. Self-control, duty and responsibility is prized more than material wealth. Character development is taught by parents to their children. There is no “victimhood” in the Bible. There is no “free pass” taught in the Bible. Every action will be accounted for in the judgment.
Luke 7:1 to Luke 7:50
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Jesus was a Jew. The centurion was a Roman soldier. The pagan Romans were hated by the Jews. Here was this pagan Roman officer who “valued highly” his servant. The Jews refused to value highly the Servant Jesus, their God. The centurion upon hearing of Jesus and the power He possessed, did not think of himself worthy to petition Jesus, a Jew, personally. Even though he was the authority and power in the land, this pagan humbly requested elders of the Jews to petition Jesus.
In our lives, do we think we are “worthy”? And if people don’t treat us as “worthy”, do we claim victimhood and blame sexism, racism or any other “ism” to justify our hurt feelings or failures? And talk about “hurt feelings”, if you say anything that hurts the feelings of another, than it is considered “hate speech”. Let us not take responsibility for our own feelings, no, we must stop others from speaking truths we don’t want to hear. The devil is shutting down every avenue possible to keep a sinful world from hearing salvation truths.
When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.
The centurion did not rely on power, pride or “authority” to “win” over the Jews. He, a pagan, built them a synagogue. He supported their local activities. He took personal responsibility to build a bridge of trust between himself and those he “policed”. Therefore, when the time came and he needed their help, they were willing to comply with his request. After all, you don’t say “No” to your biggest donor.
However, Jesus didn’t go “with them” because they asked. He didn’t go because the centurion had built them a synagogue. He went because the centurion had been developing a worthy character of humbleness, love and respect for others. So much so that he even loved and cared for a meaningless servant. Servants back then were only slaves to the Romans and had absolutely no standing before the law. They had to obey every order, request and demand placed upon them or they could be killed without as much as a care. But this pagan centurion had allowed the Spirit of God to enter his heart and Jesus was about to reward him for his character development.
How different from the Jews. With the Law of Love sitting in their temple, their synagogues, their homes and businesses, they had not developed hearts of love, respect or sympathy. The centurion loved his servant. The Jews hated their Servant Jesus. The centurion built a synagogue for the Jews. The Jews were destroying the temple of God and their own nation with their own hearts of hate.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
This pagan centurion understood his duty more than the Jewish leaders. He counted himself unworthy of the gracious act of Jesus in coming to his home. The Jews did not want Jesus coming into their “home”. The centurion humbled himself while the Jews puffed themselves up. Jesus could not do for the Jews what He was about to do for this pagan centurion.
Also, this centurion understood obedience and the chain of command. He was under the authority of Rome. His soldiers were under his command. His servants were under his command. He was responsible for the lives of those under him in making sure the laws of Rome were obeyed. However, the Jews did not understand the chain of command they were under. They refused to live in obedience to the Law of Heaven. They looked upon the outward, this homeless vagabond who was nothing to look at, while the centurion saw Jesus for who He was. However, Jesus was respected by the pagan centurion while rejected by those who went to church and claimed to love God.
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
What faith was that? Faith in Jesus! The God of the Jews was standing before them and none of them had faith in Him. The centurion never saw Him, and yet believed and humbled himself before Him. Luke is contrasting here the bigoted teachings of the Jews and their church, and the unbiased love of Jesus who accepted anyone who had faith in Him.
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
This woman may have heard of Jesus, but without funds to send servants or Jewish leaders to petition Jesus, she consigned herself to the death of her son. However, Jesus was instructed by the Spirit of God to approach the town gate. The situation was revealed to Him. The son was the only support for his mother. He had been taking personal responsibility for the support of his mother. She would be left destitute without her son.
Jesus is full of sympathy. In the Old Testament He read where we are to take care of widows. “Don’t cry” He tells us when tragedy strikes home. Whatever difficulties come in this world of sin, pain and sorrow, “Don’t cry”, Jesus can turn the terrible events of this world into joy and happiness. Just believe and do your duty. As we fulfill our responsibilities and duties, carrying on with self-control and discipline in our lives, God can then do His work in our lives. Trust and obey! Are you looking with sympathy towards those around you? Do you have the heart of Jesus?
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
There were no incantations, no screaming, and no chanting. Jesus did not resort to loud, long prayers. Jesus did not ask the mother if she believed the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the church or its Catechism. He didn’t even ask if she was a faithful member of the church, paying her tithes and offerings in support of the church. All He did was stop the bier from continuing on, then said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” Simple enough! Those who are not connected with Jesus must put on a show. Those of us who are connected to Jesus simply give the word and Jesus fulfills His Word.
Jesus didn’t ask the young man to thank Him or recognize Him as the Messiah. He didn’t ask the young man to do anything for Him. He just “gave him back to his mother”. I love Jesus. He has given back my life many times. That is why I love and serve Him. I owe Him everything.
They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Interesting that they didn’t claim “God has come to help His people” when the servant of the centurion was made well. Oh, how stupid of me, he was a pagan, not a Jew. Sorry, I must have lost my head to think we praise God when God blesses those who are not a part of our church, denomination or religion.
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Unless you have spent time in prison you have no idea what John was going through. Yes, he saw the Spirit of God descend on Jesus. Yes, he heard the voice of the Father speak to Jesus. Yes, he knew Jesus was the Messiah. Yet “knowing” can be pushed to the background under very trying situations and our feelings and emotions can emerge. I’m sure it has happened to most who are reading this. How many times have we doubted Jesus? I have more than I would like to admit.
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
I am sure Jesus was pained when He heard the doubt of John. Yet, in His love for John He did not chastise him or curse him or make snide remarks about him. No, Jesus forgave his humanity. Instead of “telling” John He was the Messiah, He gave demonstrations that John would have been able to compare with Scripture. John could die in peace knowing.
Also, it is possible that John was concerned for his disciples. What would they do after his death? Where would they go? How was he to prepare them? Even though John enjoyed the company of his disciples, he sent them to Jesus letting them spend the day watching Him in His interactions with the people. The disciples of John would see for themselves who Jesus was. Their faith needed to be strengthened. After John’s death they would go to Jesus.
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Do we get angry when people don’t believe we are “Christian”? Do we fight, argue and condemn those who don’t believe in us, our church or what we believe? Maybe it would be better if we demonstrated our “Christianity” and trustworthiness instead of fighting and arguing over it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people were blessed on account of us instead of stumbling over us? Which are you?
When Jesus instructed John’s disciples to “report to John what you have seen and heard”, He then illuminated their minds with what He had done that day. What He had done that day was exactly what the Old Testament said He would do. Therefore the disciples of John, who had spent much of their time studying the Old Testament with John, were able to see for themselves the fulfillment of prophecy. Their faith was strengthened. We need to spend more time in the Old Testament with Jesus.
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
What are you expecting? Do you want to see miracles? John never performed a miracle. Are you looking for preachers with “fine clothes”, fancy cars, jets and big homes? John had none of those. What do you go to church to see? What you are looking for isn’t found in churches, denominations or religions. You must go to Jesus to find the sinless, perfect and Commandment keeping life. Are you following the example of John and preparing the way before Jesus? Is your life exemplifying the life of Jesus in order for people to see Jesus in you? By looking at you, will they want to be in Heaven with you?
As “great” as we may think John was, or as great as those in his day thought him to be, those who do nothing “great” but raise their children to know God, give to the worthy poor and needy without fanfare or show, yes, they will be considered greater than John in Heaven. Do you want to be thought of as “great” in God’s eyes? Begin living as Jesus commands: perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping. I praise God for the “least” of these who support this ministry. Quietly, without fanfare and show, they keep this ministry supplied with the funds necessary to keep it operating for Jesus.
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
I find the same concept true in this ministry. Inmates, and those who have been rejected by the church, acknowledge that “God’s way was right” when they read the material from this ministry. They are not interested in getting praise from men, but from God. Yet church people want the praise the church offers, therefore, they are not interested in God’s way. Being filled with the Spirit of God will change your life. Being filled with the spirit of church will destroy your eternal life.
Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
Church people are like children showing off and trying to impress each other. They put on musicals, plays, shows and other entertainment to be seen by men. But no one is really happy. No one is really satisfied with the show. Their hypocrisy is amazing. If they would only step outside of their church “box” and let the Light of Jesus shine into their hearts, what joy they would have.
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.”
And there it is. Church people are always pointing fingers. First one way, then the other. All to make themselves look good. Always griping, complaining and criticizing those who are not like themselves. But “wisdom is proved right by all her children”. Jesus was giving birth to children of the kingdom. People were beginning to leave the church and follow Love.
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
The love of Jesus was no respecter of people. Jesus didn’t care about the status of any single person. Rich or poor, high rank or low, pagan or Jew, Jesus loved them all. Because He belonged to no church, no religion and no denomination, He was free to love all. Are you free to love all? Have you escaped from the chains of church?
A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
How sinful are you? Do you even recognize your sins? Do you sit down each day to assess your life for that day to see if you lived a righteous life? Do you take the time to review the day to see how you related to everyone you came in contact with? Did you selfishly steal someone’s time, pride or integrity? Did you covet something you saw? Maybe someone’s fame, ability or wealth? Did you look lustfully at anyone? Did you find unjustified hate for someone because of your own selfish desires? Did you do everything that day perfect? Maybe it is time for you to fall at the feet of Jesus and wet His feet with your tears, wipe them and kiss them. Are you to proud for that? Only the humble will be in Heaven.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
If only church people understood that Jesus came to save sinners, not prideful church people who don’t think they have any sins. This ministry ministers to inmates for that very reason, they are sinners, like me, and they need to know there is a Savior who loves them and will help them stop their sins and become children of God.
I find interesting, “if this man were a prophet”. Well, for what reason did the Pharisee invite Him to dinner? Did he stop thinking of Jesus as a “prophet” when Jesus allowed the “sinner” to touch Him? Do we stop thinking of those sent by God as “God’s messengers” when they say or do something we don’t think they should?
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Church people believe they only owe God “fifty” denarii. They look upon themselves as pretty good. They go to church, listen to church songs, eat the church food and wear the church clothes. Yep, we make Jesus happy!
Do we ever listen to Jesus? I am the one who owed the five hundred denarii. My debt was forgiven by God. I love Him more than just going to church to satisfy my ego and pride. I sacrifice my whole life to live in this tiny trailer, here in this ministry, to bring the love of Jesus to others. I listen very carefully to Jesus and what He says. Then I put forth every effort to put that listening to work in my life.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
“Do you see this woman?” Most of us would rather not “see” sinners. We would much rather sit in church pretending that everything in “my life” is just fine. Simon thought his life was wonderful. He went to church! In fact, he was a leader in the church, a Pharisee. He even put on a dinner for Jesus. How magnanimous! Yet, how often we forget to give water, give a kiss, give oil or pour perfume unto others. How much have you been forgiven? Are you giving the “Water of Life”? How about a kiss of friendship? Do you give oil of sympathy to help smooth out a person’s life? Do you pour perfume into a person’s life to give it a fragrant odor? Or are you arguing and fighting over “doctrine”?
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Appreciation! That is all Jesus is looking for. He went to the cross for us. He took the floggings, beatings and condemnation for us. Is it really too much to show our appreciation through our love to others?
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Actually, that is the question, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” He is Jesus! He is God! He is to be “Lord” of our lives. He has the authority to forgive. We are all unforgiven unless we repent, turn from our sins and live the perfect, legalistic, sinless and Commandment keeping life. Forgiveness isn’t automatic. Not all are forgiven. All have the opportunity to be forgiven, but only those who humble themselves to accept Jesus into their lives will be forgiven. Interesting observation, there is no record of the woman ever saying “I’m sorry”, or “forgive me”. I think it is too easy to speak the words without heartfelt belief in them. This woman put her heart into action and work, not her mouth.
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
That is a profound statement. “Your faith has saved you”. Jesus didn’t say, “I have saved you”. Do you understand? Jesus can’t save any of us eternally. If He could, He would have to save all of us. But He can’t. We save ourselves by our own actions that come from our faith. We will be judged by what we do. Jesus has opened the door to salvation, which we can’t do, but we must do our work of walking through that door onto the narrow way into that salvation, of which He can’t do for us. Few are listening to Jesus. Most have been lied to by their pastors, ministers and churches. Everyone wants Jesus to save them. He can’t. If He could change the character of just one person, then He would have to change the character of every person. Character development is on us. That is our part to accomplish. Jesus did His part, now it is up to us to live in obedience to Jesus and live as He lived: perfect. When we do that, we can “go in peace”.
We have peace because we have a God of peace. He is in control of everything within the universe, or, as may be the case, universes He has created. Even “science” and mathematics are under His control. The Laws God has created to govern the animate and inanimate objects, seen and unseen, also govern the religious universe. For example, in Euclid’s Elements Book I, Common Notions, we have the following:
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- Things which equal the same thing also equal one another.
- If equals are added to equals, then the wholes are equal.
- If equals are subtracted from equals, then the remainders are equal.
- Things which coincide with one another equal one another.
- The whole is greater than the part.
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- Since God equals the Ten Commandments, if we equal the Ten Commandments then our character equals the character of God. Let that sink in.
- As we repent and become equal to the Ten Commandments, then we are added to the equals of those who equal the whole and become whole ourselves.
- If we were equal to the Ten Commandments, but then subtracted ourselves from it, the remainders continue to be equal to the whole.
- If God and we coincide, agree with each other, we are equal to one another. “That they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:11
- The whole of God and His Ten Commandments is greater than any part and therefore is worthy of our worship, respect and obedience in order to become whole, oneness with God: Atonement.