Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld Back to the Bible Canada

Some like to bargain. They negotiate their price on a car and haggle at the farmer's market. God does not bargain. We come to Him on His terms and submit to His authority. In this section of Luke, Dr. John teaches the supremacy of Jesus over our secret motives, family relationships and even the forces of nature. To come to Jesus is to surrender. In doing so, we find more than we could ever bargain for.
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.

Jesus never travelled alone. He was accompanied by the 12 men He appointed as Apostles, but also by many women. That was rare for the culture of His day. When Jesus spoke publicly of the parable of the Sower, Seed and Soil, those who followed Him were privately let in on the mystery and secrets of His teaching. Dr. John reminds us that it is the committed followers of Jesus who understand the truths of the Kingdom. 
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.

Some reject Jesus because He doesn't dance to their tune. Since Jesus didn't fulfill the expectations of the Pharisees, they rejected Him. But Jesus didn't reject them. Jesus willingly went to the house of a Pharisee named Simon and accepted his hospitality. Dr. John teaches that this social occasion became a lesson on grace and gratitude. Even the enemies of Jesus were invited to grace. 
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.

John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. But later John began to doubt. Dr. John teaches that those doubts evaporated as John saw Jesus, heal the lame, open the eyes of the blind and speak good news to the poor. John the Baptist witnessed the outbreaking of God's Kingdom though the compassionate ministry of Jesus. The Kingdom was evidenced by mercy and power. It still is.
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.

Who takes note of a widow, alone and helpless, walking in the funeral procession of her only son? Jesus does. With compassion He sees the pains of death. With power He commands life back from the dead. Dr. John reminds us that all who are weighted by misery can hope in the power and compassion of Jesus. Our tears are temporary. 
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.

We tend to label people into categories and are then surprised when they act in a manner we didn't expect. Jesus' encounter with a Roman Centurion proves that our classifications are false. This Roman soldier contributed funds to his "enemies," cared for a common slave and looked to Jesus for help. In the encounter, not only do we see the soldier tearing down cultural walls, but Jesus reached across them in response to faith. 
Jesus, Unexpected Encounters: We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.