God Solves Loneliness (Luke 19:1-10)
Gary McManus, 06/24/2018Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Sernote18 God Solved Loneliness
June 24, 2018
Luke 19:1-10 (p. 1039 / p.1952)
First Book of the Bible, the book of Genesis,
Genesis 2:18
Read all the different translations of chapter 2 verse 20
but for Adam there was not found a helper/companion
[that was]
--suitable for him.
--adapted
--complimentary
--corresponding to him
--But a helper perfect for him was nowhere
to be found.
--for Adam there was not found a companion
suitable for helping him.
--None of these was the right kind of partner
for the man.
So, the Bible says, God created woman.
It is said that LONELINESS is the first problem
that God solved. . .based on Genesis 2:18.
Also notice:
--Adam does not name his problem; God does.
--Adam can’t solve his problem; God does.
The word “loneliness” occurs in the Bible only four times.
See Psalm 25:16
The word “alone” is in the Bible over 100 times.
(one-third in the New Testament) More later..
From the Harvard Business Review, May 1, 2018
From General Social Survey (Duke)
From Former Surgeon General Murthy
( while Surgeon General)
https://hbr.org/cover-story/2017/09
/work-and-the-loneliness-epidemic
Mass murderers?
Suicides and the suicidal. . .
VBS, DCC, 2018:
“When we feel lonely. . .Jesus rescues.”
John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy
31:6 and 8., John 10:28-9
Look at Jesus’ own practice.
(Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 14:12)
Overall health and longevity depend
on social connections.--even happiness.
-------------------------
Chief Tax collector?
There were several reason to detest little Zacchaeus:
1. He is a chief tax collector.
He probably holds the Roman contract
for tax collection.
2. He probably sub-contracts the collection
to men we might call “enforcers.”
3. Dealing with such men and Gentiles
would make any Jew ritually unclean.
4. Zacchaeus got rich doing 1. And 2.
Zacchaeus must have been hated.
(Mark 2:15, Luke 5:30)
One Roman historian wrote.
“Besides other taxes, [The Emporer] levied
the taxes of the Jews with utmost rigor. .
Why all this detail? See G.B. Caird,
Saint Luke, p.208.
Luke reminds us of Zacchaeus’ isolation
one more time in verse 7.
Zacchaeus proclaims RECONCILIATION
And RESTITUTION.
NOW please understand two things:
Jesus does not declare salvation BECAUSE
of Zacchaeus’ actions.
Zacchaeus. is only demonstrating reconciliation and
restitution having been reconciled.
Like James says. . .show me your faith! (James 1:27)
We are all alike (in Jesus’ church in every place):
--sinners
--saved
2 Corinthians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 3:8, John 16:33 AMEN.
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