CONNECTING POINT: Grace that Can Change the World

Last week in the Look What the Doctored Ordered series, based on Luke’s account found in the New Testament, I brought forward the idea that Jesus was a world changer. Jesus was “revolutionary” or often “counterculture” in today’s terms. He was somewhat radical but not so extreme, where He discounted the core truths of Judaism. Jesus did follow many Jewish practices and aspects of the Law; however, He came to fulfill the messianic prophecy: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20).

One thing is clear: Jesus came to change lives; He challenged the misguided standards that developed over centuries among Jewish leaders about righteousness. Christ’s approach to people was extremely welcoming, including men, women, and children. Further, He reached to the castaways, thieves, liars, swindlers, and prostitutes all with the same compassion. Jesus was not only the Savior of the world but a friend to sinners, an approach that was nearly absent from a Pharisee’s or Sadducee’s mind.

Reiterating from Luke 8, “…The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means,” (Luke 8:1-3).

Jewish customary practice was very exclusionary towards women, Jesus approached this matter in a completely different direction, and it was evident as He traveled the region with the disciples and women.

What, then, am I suggesting? Hear me out, I’m not propagating 2024 concepts of “inclusion” but going back to the simple Gospel; Jesus came to change lives in every culture. Cultures have always varied over the course of history and location, but one constant remains the same: the character of Jesus Christ.

The spiritual condition of the heart is what Christ desires to change, without His forgiveness we are lost in our sin. We can try all kinds of methods to be religious or do right, but they are all meaningless, minus Jesus. Ephesians explains, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:1-5).

This simple Gospel, marked by Christ’s grace, is the answer to any soul who wants to change their personal life.