WILLING. CREATIVE. UNCONVENTIONAL.

Date: 7.05.09 Speaker: Lance Odegard Texts: Luke 5:12-26 Title: THE WILLING. CREATIVE. UNCONVENTIONAL. Why breaking the rules and ignoring the worms has everything to do with it. In contrast to the traditional view that uncleanness was contagious, Jesus regarded holiness/ wholeness as contagious. The Physician is not overcome by those who are ill, but rather overcomes their illness. Holiness for Jesus was not something to be protected; rather it was Gods miraculous power of transformation. Gods holiness cannot be soiled; rather, it is a cleansing and healing agent. It does not need to be shut up and quarantined in the temple; it is now, through Jesus healings and fellowship with the despised and rejected, breaking out in the world to transform it. - Walter Wink Jesus continues his overturning of the kingdom of sin, death, and the devil. Here we read of Jesus healing a leper a man completely cut-off from the rest of the society. Jesus said that he had good news for the outsiders and the oppressed and now were going to see what that news looks like physical, social, and spiritual restoration. Jesus shows us that He is willing to heal this man. We also see how far a few guys will go to get a friend to Jesus, even if it means getting really creative, taking a few risks, and destroying someone elses private property. These friends are willing to think outside the box and the surprise is that they play a larger part in their friends healing than they bargained for. Lukes stories are showing Jesus gospel in action. Jesus is bringing people back to Gods good intentions healed and whole, forgiven and connected.