Ka-Boom! Trump and Jesus

10/23/16                             NOTES NOT EDITED
Ka-Boom:  The Politics of Trump and the Preaching of Jesus

Lk 7:24-50

SIS: Whether in politics or religion, the key to progress is blowing up the status quo.

Donald Trump is a lot like Jesus. That's sure to raise a few eyebrows. Of course, it is equally true, Trump is almost nothing like Jesus. That's liable to get a few cheers.

How is Trump like Jesus? Trump has shined the bright light of a presidential campaign on the corrupt and dirty political establishment--and, he will (has) pay (paid) the price.

Jesus exposed the establishment religion of the Pharisees in the same manner by shining the white light of His purity on the dark souls of the Pharisees.

With Trump, the corrupt establishment is running like cockroaches when one turns on the kitchen light at night in an infested apartment. Similarly, the unrighteous Pharisees ran for cover under the dirty shroud of Pilate when Jesus exposed them.

My take is: Trump stands little chance of coming out of November 8th alive politically. He's already been skewered time and again by the media. He has carried the GOP establishment on his back like Taylor's dead albatross. The handwriting is on the wall in bold letters much like in Daniel's day.

But, all is not lost if Trump's explosion has sufficiently damaged the foundation of establishment politics such that the monstrous edifice of vice comes crashing down under the weight of it's own moral dissipation.

Jesus seemed to have lost the battle at the cross but we know it was really the beginning of the greatest victory in history.  Jesus won the war at the tomb. Many people are uncomfortable with seeing Jesus as the Bible portrays Him rather than as many milk toast preachers betray Him.

Jesus was nothing if He was not a revolutionary. God is called the Lord of Hosts, which means the Lord of the Armies of Heaven. Jesus dropped a holy bomb on humanity and the explosion exposed the many cracks and weaknesses of religion--which is the human efforts to obtain what only God in His grace can bestow.

We will examine the revolutionary thread that is woven through the warp and weft of the fabric of His humanity. Trump has some of that revolutionary spirit, though his ugly humanity severely limits the good that revolutionary spirit could have done.

I expect there will have to be at least someone who disagrees with my premise. I'm led to disagree with it myself if I were truly honest. It seems at best insane and at worst blasphemous to suggest that Trump and Jesus in their respective political and spiritual campaigns have anything in common.

Let’s read just a portion of the text showing how Jesus collides with the religious establishment resulting in a great explosion.

READ LUKE 7:24-33.

1.  Jesus Exploded the WRONG ATTITUDE of the Crowd (24-35)

After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? {25} If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. {26} But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. {27} This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' {28} I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." {29} (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. {30} But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) {31} "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? {32} They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.' {33} For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' {34} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' {35} But wisdom is proved right by all her children."

The disciples of John the Baptist

just came from a meeting.  At that meeting they reported to their beloved leader all that Jesus had been doing. Apparently, John and Jesus had not spoken to one another for quite some time, since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry when he was baptized by John.  All the excitement over the miracles and powerful teaching of Jesus had raised questions about the identity of Jesus.  Jesus pointed out that John was a man of strong conviction and willing to make a strong stand for righteousness (eventually John would be martyred for his strong stand).  Jesus reminded them about John’s strong convictions about Himself.  Look at verses 24-28:

After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? {25} If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. {26} But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. {27} This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' {28} I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Remember it was John the Baptist who first

identified for the crowd that Jesus was the Messiah, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” John’s preaching pointed out Jesus’ identity and the miraculous deeds of Jesus confirmed it.  For the most part, the common people accepted who Jesus was—but not the Pharisees.

The Pharisees had bad attitudes.  First, they refused to repent no matter what God said or did.

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John.

\

 {30} But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

{31}"To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? {32} They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.' {33} For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' {34} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'

You just can’t please some people no matter what you do!

Jesus exposed the WRONG ATTITUDE of the Pharisees.

2.  Second, Jesus Exploded the WRONG FOCUS of the Pharisees (37-48)

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. {37} When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, {38} and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. {39} When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."

Everyone knew this young lady – She was a “working gal”

and I don’t mean selling Avon!  It was perfectly acceptable that this woman come into the party.

According to the prevailing custom of the day, the poor were allowed to visit the banquets of the rich to receive the left-overs.  But, this lady had something else in mind.

She bowed at his feet anointing His feet with expensive perfume, and washing the dust with her tears of repentance.

This humble act was something Simon, the Pharisee, had

no intention of doing (See verses 44-46)

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. {45} You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. {46} You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. {47} Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." {48} Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

The world is full of religious people who focus on the ugly acts of others, but neglect their own ugly attitudes.

Christianity is about “people,” not programs.

There are people in every church that will fight at the drop of the hat if you change part of the religious rituals of the church, but these same people won’t lift a finger to reach out to lost people.

Do you remember the story of Jonah.  What made Jonah so mad and so reluctant to go to Ninevah?  Jonah hated the Ninevites (with some justification) and he knew that if he preached the gospel these hated, despised people would get saved and become part of God’s family–something Jonah was not going to let happen—that is, without a whale of a lot of convincing from God if you get my meaning!

Jesus raised a ruckus with the religious because He showed

more concern for lost people than He did their empty traditions.

Literally thousands of churches have drifted into oblivion

because they did not want “their” church filled up with

undesirable people.

Let, me give you a little hint about God: there are no undesirable people except perhaps people like the Pharisees.

Jesus exposed the wrong focus of the Pharisees–

they worshipped worship rather than work for the Lord.

3.  Jesus Exploded WRONG PRACTICE of the Pharisees (46).

{46) You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet .

In a word, Jesus called the Pharisees: “cheap!”

Have you ever known people in church who

“knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing?

There are people who know the last financial statement of the church by heart, but who cannot tell you the name of the last person baptized.

They know the cost of everything, but the value of nothing.

I read an interesting story about a dentist that died.  When the family went through his belongings they discovered a key to a safe-deposit box.  Going to the bank they thought they would find a few pieces of jewlry, or perhaps some important papers.  WHAT THEY FOUND WERE–OLD ROTTEN TEETH!  For years the dentist had been buying the old rotten teeth of his patients.  They were all rotten, but they were all filled with gold or silver.  They looked nasty.  But, one of the sons of the dentist made a few contacts and found someone who would break away the old rotten tooth material and refine the gold and silver so a value could be placed on the material.  The son was surprised to learn that the old rotten teeth, nasty and disgusting to look at, netted a check from the refiner for $4000.

That’s how Jesus looked at sinners,

like the woman with the perfume.

In the practice of the Pharisees, just touching the woman would make them ceremonially unclean.  Sinners had no value to the Pharisees.  In fact, to the Pharisees this woman would probably been viewed as a liability, rather than an asset.  What could this poor prostitute give to the church?

Obviously, Jesus had little value to the Pharisees either.

Simon didn’t break out an expensive perfume, though from the parties he gave it was evident he could afford to break a little perfume.

But, haven’t you noticed that

so many religious people are cheap!

Jesus raised a ruckus with the religious because he exposed

their cheap practices–they were good at taking an offering,

but not very good at giving any.

4.  Jesus raised a ruckus with the religious by exploding their WRONG EXPECTATIONS (47-50)

Here Jesus really ruffled their feathers.

{47}Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."  {48} Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Jesus never said the Pharisees were forgiven.

In fact, the focus of the story implies just the opposite–

the Pharisees were lost in a sea of religious ritual

and didn’t even realize how bad off they were.

Not long ago, a group were out boating.  The boat sprung a leak near the stern (back).  Most of the passengers were in the back bailing out water frantically.  Toward the front of the boat was a self-righteous couple who thought they were above such a menial task.  As the boat started to sink, the wife turned to her husband and said, “I’m certainly glad the leak is not in our end of the boat.”

Friend, if your religion is like that of the Pharisees–

you are going to get wet (actually hot).  The trouble is,

most people who are like the Pharisees are like that couple on the boat–they don’t even realize how much danger they are in.

Jesus exposed the wrong expectations of the Pharisees: they were wrong to think that by being religious

they would go to heaven. Jesus ends this section by pointing out the only way to heaven:

{50}Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Are you willing to “fall down at the feet of Jesus and wash

His feet with tears of repentance” and the perfume

of humble service–that’s the only way.

Any time the gospel is preached in power, somebody won’t like it as evidenced by the Pharisees reaction to Jesus.

He exploded their wrong attitude; He exploded their wrong focus;

He exploded their wrong practice; and He exploded their wrong expectations.

In short, Jesus exploded the false foundation of a futile religion not built on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Yes, there really is comparison to be made in regard to how Trump’s political campaign is blowing up the political establishment just like the ministry of Jesus blew up the established religion of the Pharisees.

The only way to make progress spiritually (and politically as well) is to “blow up” the false foundation of the status quo.