My husband Dale’s favorite Christmas movie has always been Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” At some point each Christmas season, Dale pulls out the old 1946 black and white film and the whole Brown clan watches the classic tale of George Bailey. A dreamer from childhood, George had big plans for his life - he was going to travel the world, seeking adventures. He was absolutely not going to allow himself to get stuck in his hometown of Bedford Falls and live under the thumb of old man Potter, who owned most of the town and threw around his weight and power like a weapon. But then George’s father died suddenly and George found himself constantly being sucked back into life in Bedford Falls. He just couldn’t get out. Even though he married the beautiful Mary Hatch, who had loved him since childhood, and with her built a happy family as well as managing the Building Savings and Loan bank that his father’s untimely death left him to take over, George felt a restlessness that led to disappointment and bitterness. This was not at all the wonderful life of travel and adventure he had dreamed of.
One Christmas Eve George finds himself in some trouble that he can’t see a way out of and contemplates suicide, declaring “I wish I had never been born!” when an angel named Clarence comes to the rescue, showing George what life for everyone else would have looked like if he hadn’t been born and lived. While it didn’t look anything like George had planned, requiring him to pivot at every turn and lay down those dreams for others, he really had lived “a wonderful life.”
In today’s reading, Jesus is bringing a new perspective to everything the people and leaders had held onto their entire lives. This new way of looking at fasting, prayer and the Sabbath was jarring and disorienting for them. While confusing, this new way of thinking and living would result in a wonderful life!
Read Luke 5:33-6:16
“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Is 43:19)
Some of the same Pharisees and their scribes continued to follow Jesus and His disciples around and offer color commentary along the way. Noticing how Jesus’ disciples ate and drank freely, as if they were at a wedding feast, they began comparing John’s disciples and their own, who regularly fasted for various reasons. They asked Jesus why His disciples weren’t observing their faith as seriously as they should, concluding that He wasn’t a proper teacher. Using the metaphor of a wedding and its participants, Jesus answered, “The One you've been planning and preparing for is here - it’s time to celebrate!” There was and would be time to fast, to wonder, to mourn, but not now. God was there, in their presence, clothed in the same human flesh they were.
If God himself came down to you, how would you react? In awe, feeling unworthy, maybe even a bit scared? What if God then sat down and ate with you and wanted to have a conversation with you? How would you feel then? I think I’d first feel surprised, then quickly full of joy, following His lead. Jesus was saying to them, “It’s Me! I won’t be here with you forever, so feel all of these emotions, but do not grieve over or be threatened by My presence! Instead, rejoice - the kingdom of your God has drawn near, just as He promised!”
A New Way of Salvation
Jesus then used a parable about patching old clothing and new wine in old wineskins to teach everyone listening that He was ushering in a new way of salvation. It wasn’t a patch job; this was a whole new thing! While it is understandable that the old way of doing things is comfortable and familiar, eventually it breaks down and is no longer effective. Jesus was offering them wine they had never tasted before - healing, understanding, forgiveness - but it would not fit into their traditions of legalism and control. He so wanted them to see that the old way of covering sins and being righteous before Holy God had never worked. They could not save themselves, but God had promised rescue and that Rescue was here!
The old wineskins, the old system that the Jews and their leaders were comfortable with, that they controlled and manipulated the people with, would never be able to hold the new way of salvation that Jesus was bringing them. In fact, this new thing would bust the old sacrificial system wide open! Ultimately, many of them would reject Jesus’ offer of new wine, a new way; instead, they would stick with the old way, the old wine, the old sacrificial system, the 700+ extra rules and regulations created to possibly make the old system successful. Just like Mary’s mom in It’s a Wonderful Life, they would look sour with disappointment when those who were embracing the new way celebrated and rejoiced.
A New Way of Keeping the Sabbath Holy
Jesus is fully aware that He is being watched and judged. This next lesson was not just for His disciples - to push through their own fears of breaking the law on the Sabbath, but also for the judges. Jesus is upending the old ways they have idolized and found power in. When asked why His disciples were breaking the Sabbath law, Jesus asked them to try not getting bogged down with the specifics of the Sabbath and instead reflect on the spirit of the Sabbath, God’s intention for the day, which had always been rest, restoration, remembering, reset and renewal. Jesus and His disciples weren’t rushing from one speaking engagement to another and rushing through the drive through grainfield for lunch on the way.
He then reminded the judges of when David and his mighty men actually ate the Bread of the Presence in the tabernacle when they were on the run from King Saul, being fed by the same God who had earlier anointed David as the next king. Jesus finished this lesson by stating, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (v 5) “I can do what I want, because I always do the will of My Father in heaven.” Mic drop…
A New Way of Selecting Leaders
Jesus prays and seeks clarity from Father God all night before choosing from the growing number of followers, twelve men who would be in His inner circle and assist HIm in the work of teaching and healing. Jesus is rebuilding Israel and the 12 tribes in this decision and named them “apostles,” which means, “one who is sent.” These twelve would be more than simply Jesus' disciples, or students. They would represent Jesus to others and share the authority He would give them.
These men aren’t at all who the teachers of the law would choose:
* 4 fishermen - Simon, now renamed Peter, Andrew, James and John - the first to believe that Jesus might be the Messiah
* Philip and Bartholomew - former students of John the Baptizer
* Matthew/Levi - tax collector
* Thomas - a facts guy
* James, son of Alphaeus
* Simon the Zealot - trained in martial arts
* Judas, son of James
* Judas Iscariot - good with money, the one who would become a traitor
Not a single one of these guys had studied under a famous rabbi, or was currently serving as a layleader in their synagogue. From various walks of life, they held different gifts and abilities and had different levels of understanding and faith. And these are the men Jesus chose to be His apostles. This was most definitely a new way of doing things!!
Big Picture Questions for Today:
* If God Himself came down to you, how would you react? In awe, feeling unworthy, maybe even a bit scared? What if God then sat down and ate with you and wanted to have a conversation with you? How would you feel then?
* The truth is that God did come down and has made the way to intimate relationship with Him possible through Jesus Christ! How can you respond to Him today?
Pray for the Lord to increase your faith in His plan and provision; confess your doubts and/or frustrations when God’s plans interfere with your own.
