Wisdom in a Disoriented World, Part 3: Bound but not Broken
Speaker: Pastor Josh Jansen
Scripture References: Luke 19:1-10, Philippians 2:5-11
1 What is your overall response to the semon and review?.
2. In what ways can you seek to be a bridge builder in today’s politically charged environment?
3. What did Jesus do to build a bridge to someone who was justifiably held in disdain? Why did He do it?
4. To be a bridge builder one must be prepared to be criticized. How might we overcome thiseventuality?
5. How does objectifying someone make it easier to hold them in contempt?
6. . What steps must we take in order to live like Jesus lived in order to safeguard against negative political bias?
Sermon Summary
Having personal biases is not necessarily a negative thing. After all, we all have them. Our biases run the gamut from a preferred baseball team, to a preferred flavor of ice cream, to the best laundry detergent, ( it’s TIDE). Biases are fine as long as they do not project attitudes and behaviors that are divisive, judgmental or objectify the one whose opinion differs from yours. Such attitudes do not reflect our claims as followers of Christ. Jesus sought to love people in their humanness. We are to do the same. During Jesus’ time on earth, Israel was under the rule of the ‘Roman Empire. There was a strong bias against tax collectors who garnered favor with the Roman government by collecting taxes. Many tax collectors charged over and above what was necessary and became very rich, thus putting additional burdens on their own people. As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus met with constant disdain from his people until his encounter with Jesus. Luke 19:1-10. In short, Zacchaeus had climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of this man, Jesus, about whom he had grown curious. Upon reaching Zacchaeus’ tree, Jesus called him by name and informed him that he would be a guest at his house. Such a statement to a known sinner, and betrayer to his people set off quite an alarm. What was Jesus thinking? Didn’t He know who this man was? How could He possibly befriend this notorious sinner and traitor who had grown rich by collaborating with their hated enemy? Zacchaeus’ story highlights 3 biases we must overcome If we are to live like Jesus lived. The Confidence bias: The danger of being swayed by a false sense of confidence. Jesus would have us practice humility, as He did. Philippians 2:5-11 reminds us as believers and followers of Christ to, “Let this mind be in you, as it was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God....and being found in fashion as a man, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Verses 2-4 admonishes us further...”Be like-minded, having the same love, being on one accord, of one mind. Conservative/Liberal Bias: Challenging Biases:Our conservative or Liberal Biases can have an objectifying effect on how we view, and subsequently treat, people around us. What would Jesus have us do instead? Build a bridge. Contact Bias: Just as Jesus ordered Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and invited Himself to be a guest in his home, we too must overcome biases that separate people of a different race, culture, creed, and lifestyle that are different from our own. In one fell swoop, Jesus dismantled political bias. Where was his disdain for collaborators with the Roman government? Many saw their deliverance from Roman oppression embodied in their Messiah, certainly not by embracing them. Jesus had the audacity to spend time with someone who was different; an outcast, and scoundrel; even though doing so would certainly be met with murmuring and criticism. Being a guest meant more than spending time in his home. By doing so, he loosened all the burdens that held Zacchaus bound in despair and loneliness. Zacchaus came down from the tree a changed man. See Luke 19: 8,9 Currently, in our politically charged season, our culture needs to practice humility and grace that will see us through our current political quagmire; qualities that are sadly lacking in political discourse today.
