Rebel With A Cause

(Jesus Wasn't Religious)

From the moment of His birth, it was very clear that there

was something different about Jesus. Even His birth

 caused quite a stir among all those around Him.

 In Luke 2:8-10, we read, ”As the shepherds in the field

nearby watched over their flocks that night, an angel of

the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord

shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring

you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

One day when Jesus was 12 years old, His parents

couldn’t find Him anywhere. After three days they found

him in the temple among the teachers, listening and

asking questions. Everyone who heard him were

 amazed at his understanding and His answers.

When approached by his parents about where He had

been, Jesus asked them,” How is it that ye sought Me?

Whist ye not that I must be about My Fathers business?”

 But they did not understand what he was saying

to them.

 The religious people of that day (the Pharisees) didn’t

like, or understand Jesus fellowshipping with

sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and people from

different walks of life needing healing etc.  In fact they

condemned Him for it. (Mark 2:13-17)

 When Jesus heard that the Pharisees had asked, “Why does

He eat with the tax collectors, and sinners,” He answered,

“It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. I

have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.”

 Our righteousness is like filthy rags unto the Lord. (Is 64:6)

 Yes, we are to be a Holy people unto the Lord, BUT it is

His righteousness not ours that makes us righteousness

before Him. We are saved by grace not by works. (Eph 2:8&9)

The only work required for our salvation was the work

Jesus did for us at Calvary.

 Jesus touched those that had leprosy and it was forbidden

 by law. He healed on the Sabbath and that too was

forbidden by the Law. The Pharisees knew the Old

Testament but they did not recognize Jesus as their Lord

and Savior when He came.

 How often have we missed the Lord by being judgmental

and fault finders? There are so many hurting people

 in the world that have been beaten up by religion and

religious people. What I mean by religion is the man

made rules and regulations that hinder people from

being everything God wants to help them become.

 Religion tries to mold everybody into the image they think

 they should be. Has God not given the commandment

through Moses that it is time to “Let my people go that

they may worship Me!”

We need to remember those words again. God wants His

people to be free to be what He has called them to be.

 Our Heavenly Father is not the harsh God portrayed by

 the religious people, just waiting for us to make a

mistake so He can strike us down.

Yes, we need not open doors to the devil which

can be used to wreak havoc  in our lives, if we don’t

repent and turn from it when the

Holy Spirit reveals it to us. (Eph 4:27) God is merciful to us

 if we continue to come to Him, with areas of our life that

keep us from being everything the Lord wants us to be.

 The perfect picture of our Heavenly Father can be found

in Luke 15:11-31, the parable of the Prodigal Son. In verse

 20 we see the love of the Father being revealed. Notice,

 He was awaiting and watching for His prodigal son to

 return. When He saw him, he ran out and embraced

and kissed him.

 I believe there might be prodigals reading this and

wanting to know that your Heavenly Father loves you

and is waiting for you right now. (Is 30:18) He has

anticipated your return back to Him.

There are those of you reading this who know some

prodigals and the Lord wants you to pick up your

towel and go and minister to them. (John 13:1-12) Jesus

even washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, whom He knew

would betray Him.

God Bless!

 In His Service,

    Pastor Paul  

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