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bigmike

Luke 8:1-3 (LSB) 1 And it happened that soon afterward He was going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager, and Susanna, and many others who were ministering to them from their possessions.
As we continue to look at why Jesus was considered a rebel in the eyes of the religious leaders of His day, the verses above add yet another reason for them to do so.
He treated people with respect regardless of being male or female, rich or poor, accepted or rejected by society.
Not only did He spend time with tax collectors, who frequently invited Him to dine with them at their homes, but He also treated women in a way that a patriarchal society had trouble comprehending.
Jesus did not view women as inferior to men. He ministered to them, and many of them, in turn, ministered to Him and His disciples—supporting them with their own resources.
This was unheard of in Jewish culture at the time, and it caused those who already viewed Him with suspicion to become even more critical.
And in keeping with His constant labeling of the leaders as hypocrites, Jesus emphasized humility and service instead of religious or social status.
This was all so new to the Jews that they simply could not understand it with their natural minds.
He was teaching on a spiritual level they had no understanding of.
Their hearts had become so hard and rigid that it enraged them—so much so that they wanted to kill this “rebellious” Rabbi who was making them look like fools in front of the very people they were appointed to lead.
In the process of all He did while on earth, He never once encouraged anyone to resist or stand against the Roman government.
In fact, He rejected the notion or idea of a military style rebellion against them. And this fact frustrated and angered some of His followers who were waiting expectantly for the Messiah to come in great power and rescue the Jews from Roman oppression.
Like the frustration seen in the Jewish leaders, those who followed Him who had little spiritual understanding also grew frustrated that He showed no interest in overthrowing the government of that day.
So, was He or was He not a rebel?
Did He deserve the labels that the religious leaders had placed on Him? Had He earned the scorn with which they looked upon Him?
Join us tomorrow as we conclude this study!
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

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