The calling of Matthew. Notice Matthew at center, pointing his finger at himself in a "Who? Me?" gesture. The super-hero saves us! But the super-hero plots show us to be weak, passive, and ineffective in overcoming the great threat. We should recognize that the real hero is different, empowering the weak and even welcoming the "threats."
In 2 Kings 5, the story of the healing of war hero Naaman is rather comedic at times. There are royal screw-ups, but the general finally brings his entourage into Samaria to the prophet Elisha. Rudely, the prophet doesn't come out to greet the war hero; he sends a mere messenger. The message is insulting and undignified. The hero storms off in a huff, but is persuaded by his servants to do as instructed. The result is a change in his life, not simply a healing.
In Matthew 9, a series of stories have Jesus breaking all the rules. In the process, the attentive reader realizes that the righteous religious are being skewered and discredited by Jesus' teaching and actions. People are empowered and the "threats" to the goodness and righteousness of society are embraced in fellowship.
What does this tells us about the real hero? Watch the sermon video below and find out more.
In 2 Kings 5, the story of the healing of war hero Naaman is rather comedic at times. There are royal screw-ups, but the general finally brings his entourage into Samaria to the prophet Elisha. Rudely, the prophet doesn't come out to greet the war hero; he sends a mere messenger. The message is insulting and undignified. The hero storms off in a huff, but is persuaded by his servants to do as instructed. The result is a change in his life, not simply a healing.
In Matthew 9, a series of stories have Jesus breaking all the rules. In the process, the attentive reader realizes that the righteous religious are being skewered and discredited by Jesus' teaching and actions. People are empowered and the "threats" to the goodness and righteousness of society are embraced in fellowship.
What does this tells us about the real hero? Watch the sermon video below and find out more.
| 07-07-19-sermon.mp3 |
| 07-07-19-ff-answers.pdf |
| 07-07-19-recognizing_real_hero.pdf |