Don't be afraid to be an OUTCAST

MARK 2:14-17

14 As He was passing by, He saw Levi (Matthew) the son of Alphaeus sitting in the [a]tax collector’s booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].” And he got up and followed Him [becoming His disciple, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].

15 And it happened that Jesus was [b]reclining at the table in Levi’s house, and many tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were eating with Him and His disciples; for there were many of them and they were [c]following Him. 16 When the scribes [belonging to the sect] of the [d]Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with the sinners [including non-observant Jews] and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat and drink with [e]tax collectors and sinners?”17 When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”

This is just one of the times that Jesus was accused of hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Set the Scene Levi's house a great feast is happening. Why? Because earlier that day a man said to him , "FOLLOW ME" and he did.

Levi left his job, you see he was a tax collector. He held a position of power. He had the money, the power, the house, and the newest chariot Ferrari came out with fresh off the show room floor.

When Jesus said to Levi "FOLLOW ME", he didn't think twice. He got up out of goat skin office chair, cleaned out his desk made of the finest cedar that Lebanon had to offer, and left. Not a word to anyone. Not his co-workers or even his boss. You know, I imagine Levi happy for the first time in a long time.. Picture him with a smile on his face, a spring in his step, and possibly humming a Johnny Paycheck tune on the way out the door.

This Jesus that called Levi was unlike any preacher he'd ever seen in his life. Not all prim and proper suit and tie type (not that there is anything wrong with that). More like long scraggly beard and hair, dusty feet and sandals, and his tunic grass stained from the field he slept in the night before. Possibly a bandanna tied around his head to keep the sweat out of his eyes, and a

backpack with a few belongings.

Or, maybe it was his congregation that drew him. One of them was his brother. Fishermen mostly men's/men the kind you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. They smell like fish guts and night crawlers. Dressed in jeans, muscle shirts and biker boots, maybe even a tattoo or two among them bulging forearms and biceps. Missing a few teeth due to past brawls on wharf. More suited to be bouncers and the local roadhouse than disciples.

But, something drew him, to leave the money, power, and house. To delete all of the harlots names out of his contact list on his A-phone but what? Or better yet who?

You see this man, Jesus, didn't care that Levi's profession made him ritually unclean according to the "church" of the day. He also didn't care that people didn't really like him. See, Levi, although he was a Jew worked for the Roman Government. Which made him an outcast among his own people. See, Jesus made it a habit of finding and helping the outcast.

-The Woman at the Well

-The Woman caught in adultery

-The Demoniac at Gadara

All of these in someway an outcast in their society.

The women at the was so downtrodden that she did not even come to draw water at the same time as all of the other women. She waited until the sixth hour which according to Jewish custom is 12 noon (the hottest part of the day). She probably did this in order to avoid the snickers and whispers of " SHH there she is" or " I wonder who her flavor of the month is?"

She would rather carry her water pot in the hottest part if the day than feel the embarrassment. But one day there sat Jesus (John 4:4) " But he needed to go through Samaria. This was not just geographically necessary but spiritually necessary. Now here comes this Samaritan woman not expecting to see anyone, let alone a Jew sitting at the well. So, here is this strange man at the well and he says to her "Give me a drink" (John 4:7)

He wasn't polite and gentle about it. He made a demand, " Give me a drink". Now customarily Jews and Samaritans did not like each other, why you ask?

Because Samaritans were a mixed race. A result of Assyrians and Jews intermarrying. You see racism is not a new idea. I am not certain but she may have had on a t-shirt that said "Samaritan Lives Matter." Now after he said "Give me a drink" her reply was about as sarcastic as it could be in that day.

"How is it that you, being a Jew ( all hoityy toitty) ask a drink from me, a Samaritan ( strike one) woman (strike two)?" (John 4:9) For her in her mind but Jesus had other thoughts. She was an outcast, a sinner, and well that's the people he loved the most.

John points out Jews have no dealing with Samaritans.. Not that they didn't engage in commerce with them. Because the disciples were in town buying food. However they didn't share eating or drinking utensils. Much like America pre-civil rights Samaritans would've sat in the back of the bus.

The fact that they didn't share drinking vessels is brought up in vs.11 " The woman said to Him 'Sir you ,have nothing to draw with,' "

So, Jesus is explaining to her about the living water he has to offer. The kind of water that doesn't quench a dry mouth but a dry soul.

The woman at this point becomes rattled almost to the point of indignation in verse 12.

"Are You greater than our father [a]Jacob, who gave us the well, and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also?”

Jesus goes into more detail about the water (vs.14) He is offering. And now she is intrigued. Her interest has been piqued. Now, she wants this water. Jesus tells her to go get her husband and come back (vs. 16). Uh-oh (strike three) moment of truth. " I have no husband" (vs. 17). See Jesus already knew that. He told her you are right to say you have no husband.(v. 17-18)

Now she has an Ah-Ha moment. You sir are a Prophet (v.19) So, now she questions him, about where to worship God, on the mountain or in Jerusalem.

In the Baptist church or the Methodist church. The Catholic church or the Pentecostal church.

He explains to her location is not important is not important. God is Spirit and must be worshiped in spirit and truth. Another Ah-Ha moment! She says I know a Messiah is coming (who is called Christ) and He will tell us all things.

Now, Jesus has His moment of TRUTH and he tells me "THAT'S ME!" You've been talking to Him the whole time. He reveals himself to her, and outcast, a sinner, a woman with 5 husbands and shacking up with a possible 6th. He had plenty of chances to reveal himself in the temple, before the Sanhedrin court, and the palace of Kings. Why to her? Because she believed him. She believed in him so much that she left her water pot (her BURDEN) at his feet and became an evangelist immediately " Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did..."(Yet he loved me anyway). Sh had a smile on her face, a spring in her step and was probably singing..." I remember when my burden rolled away..."

The woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11)

Here is a woman that was caught in the very act of adultery. An act punishable by death in those days. In the ACT!

The scribes and pharisees went into someone's house dragged her out of bed to bring her to the temple.

Now picture this woman probably dressed in the same clothes she was born in or possibly a bed sheet draped around her, standing in front of God in the flesh. Here stands a sinner, and outcast, and adulteress. Brought before the court to be tried, but the court has a new judge!

The Scribes and Pharisees want to put her to death. They even say the law of Moses says she should be stoned (Lev. 20:10) What do you say?

So Jesus knows they are trying to test so he stoops down and starts to write in the sand. Trying to ignore them, but they a persistent . So, Jesus says you know what you're right. Their eyes light up 'They's going to be a killlin'!' They all reach down and pick up a rock, draw back and Jesus says "But wait! Let him with no sin cast the first stone!" Then he stoops down and starts to write again. Slowly their arms start to lower one by one and stones start to drop out of their hands. Eventually they all left and she is standing there just her and Jesus. He stands back up and looks around and ask her where did they all go? No one condemned you? She said "No one, Lord" but it was probably more like "No, Thank God!" and Jesus says "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin more" or it could've been more like " You're Welcome, now get out of here and behave!"

Now she walked away with a smile on her face, a spring in her step and probably humming the third verse of The Rock of Ages

Naked, come to Thee for dress Helpless, look to Thee for grace Vile, I to the fountain fly Wash me, savior, or I die

The next outcast we are going to talk about is the Demoniac from Gadara.

This story is found in Luke 8:26-39

Luke 8:26-39New King James Version (NKJV)

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes,[a] which is opposite Galilee.

27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes,[b] nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them.

33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.

35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes[c] asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

See he was better known by his situation than has a person, better known as, LEGION, his situation had him living on the tombs. His name was probably John since it was a popular name for the time. Luke says he lived among the tombs and wore no clothes (someone else who came before the Lord naked.) Here is a man who was often seized by evil spirits. They (the people of the town) kept him bound up in chains and shackles. They didn't want anything to do with him they really didn't know how to handle him. I think if we looked at him this way. Picture the homeless man you pass everyday. The truly homeless man. The one who smells bad and hasn't changed clothes in 2 months or eaten any real food in a while. You know who I am talking about, he sits outside your office building 2 or 3 days a week, hoping for just a smile, from someone. As you round the corner to your office you spot him, because you always seem to be coming in from downwind. You immediately become active "busy". You pull out your cellphone and pretend to talk to someone "Hey", "Yeah, just got to the office", "The kids, Okay?" You keep this charade until you are safely in your office. Anything to keep from saying a kind word to someone in need. Anything to keep from helping someone face their demon of depression, loneliness, alcoholism, drug addiction. Jesus loves these people too.

Hypothetically , if you took time to talk to him or her you'd find out that they are a decorated war veteran, whose name his John. Who actually used to date your sister in high school. Was voted most likely to succeed. After college he joined the reserves, went to work at the same job you have. In fact, you have his old office. He asked about some of your co-workers and how they would go for a drink at the Blue Martini after work. He tells about his family. Wait! His family?. You see he married his college sweetheart after basic training. About a year later she became pregnant with twins. Shortly after his unit gets called up to deploy to Afghanistan he's there for 18 long months.

During this time the twins are born, pictures and letters almost everyday, then they slow down.

No biggie right, newborns at home. Then he gets new orders, "You're going home!" He doesn't call he wants to surprise her so he just shows up at home. He catches her in bed with his best friend. His whole world has just crashed down around him. What does he do? He makes a bee-line for the bar but it is only 9 am they're closed. So, he goes to the liquor store they're closed too. It is now 10 am time for him to be at the office. He passed it right by because he can't handle it today. Finally, he gets to the corner store and buys a 6-pack but it is gone by 10:30 and he's still hurting, so , he buys another and another. Now it is 11:30 and the bar is open. The whole time his wife has been blowing up his cell phone he ignores it because she has hurt him enough for today. He sit at the bar and orders shot, after shot, after shot. Until she calls and finally he answers and cusses her out so loud and bad they kick him out of the bar. Now, it is 4 pm and he spots his boss just as they are putting him in handcuffs for drunken disorderly.

Just before they put him in the car his boss says "You're Fired!" He barely gets the "F" out when John head butts him in the mouth. Now, a charge of Assault and Battery. His unit commander finds all of this out and serves him with court martial papers. Before he can post bail.

Now, a dishonorable discharge. Finally he gets out of jail and it is 8 am less than 48 hours ago he was in Afghanistan. So, where does he go can't go home, no home to go to. Can't go to the office, no office to go to. Can't go to the base, he's no longer military personnel. He stays in hotels and drinks until the credit cards are cut off. Then he hits the streets. One day a man explains to him that Jesus loves him no matter what he has done or how bad he thinks he has been. It has been 5 years now, he has quit drinking the twins are almost 7 and he comes here to sit here because it is the only part of his life that seems normal and he tells his story to help people like him out of their funk.

So. now he has a smile on his face, a spring in his step and whistling " Can you believe what the Lord has done in me"

Now, back to Levi. He is having a great feast for his new boss. But, some of his co-workers missed him at Happy Hour. So they stopped by his house. Picture this co-workers already drunk from happy hour show up at your house and Jesus is sitting at your kitchen table

Front Door: Knock, Knock

(Levi approaches door; door swings open)

Co-workers: Hey Strauss (hahahaha)

Levi: Go away

Co-workers: Missed you at the bar and it was your turn to buy.

Levi: Man, I got company

Co-worker: Who?

Levi: Text me later and I'll tell you

***Jesus walks to the door***

Jesus: Hey guys, what's up?

Co-workers: Nada preach but ya boy is a cheapskate.

Jesus: Chuckles, You guys hungry? We got plenty

Co-workers: Yeah!

Levi: No, Go home!

Jesus: They're with me

Cards games going on, wine flowing and jokes that even made Peter blush. Now the religious leaders see this and say in verse 16 "How is it he eats with tax collectors and sinners?" But they asked the disciples. They did this to stir up dissension within the group. But, Jesus heard this and he answers them. "People who are well don't need a doctor but those who are sick, I did not come for the righteous but to call the sinner to repentance."

In closing we have all been outcast at some point. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God."

Aren't you glad to know that you are never so far outcast that Jesus can't reach you . John 1:12 says "But as many as received Him, to him He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name;"

Children not OUTCAST to belong to someone of higher authority supreme power and you can call Him Dad. How awesome is that

So, don't be afraid to be an outcast they are the ones God uses the most