Teachings of Jesus: Understanding Good and Bad

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Luke 6.45-end
Luke 7.1-18
Milk
August 18th, 2019

Context and Setting

Okay, Jesus is on a plain of land teaching a mass of disciples as well as a group of Pharisees. We have discussed that there are similarities between what he says here and what he says in his sermon on the Mount located in Matthew, but there are differences to which suggest that Jesus has delivered similar speeches in different places over the course of his ministry.

So let's read what else he says beginning at verse 45 of chapter 6, but recalling that we covered the following verses that relate to our verses today last week, beginning at verse 43 where he said:

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

I used to get sort of flummoxed by this teaching because if we are not careful we might assume that what Jesus is describing is moral perfection. I say this because I used to think – well, if this is true, and I am still capable of sinning – or doing bad, then I must be a bad tree because ONLY a bad tree can bring forth bad fruit and ONLY a good tree can bring forth good.

Interpretation of the Teachings

In other words, a good tree does not bear BOTH good and bad fruit – only Good, and a bad tree does not bring forth good AND bad fruit – only bad, and because trees either produce good OR bad fruit, I assumed that I must be a bad tree. But taking a look at what Jesus says next might help add some insight to this instruction as he says:

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

This comparison, at least to me, opens this up a bit in a more general sense as Jesus says: Look. It is impossible to gather figs from a thorn bush. Or grapes from a bramble bush. Generally speaking, this is true. It is NOT saying that grape vines are perfect nor that when you go to gather grapes from them some won’t be mushy or diseased or rotten by the sun.

The Core Message

The teaching is talking about the overall product each tree or vine produces. Brambles and thornbushes are NOT capable of producing grapes or figs – bottom line. And fig trees or grape vines are made to produce figs and grapes.

And in this we can see the general thrust of Jesus' message. When and if you run into a bramble bush we can generally expect it to produce brambles and not good fruit, and when we run into a grape vine we can generally expect it to produce grapes and not brambles. And this I can live with. So now at verse 45 Jesus continues and says:

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Mt 12:34-35
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Mal 1:6; Mt 7:21; 25:11; Lu 13:25
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
Mt 7:24
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Alright, let’s go back to verse 45 where Jesus, adding to his teaching on good trees bringing forth good fruit and bad trees bringing forth bad, says:

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; (we might ask ourselves here and now, how does a good man bringeth forth the treasure of his heart) and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil:

The Indication of the Heart's Treasure

According to Jesus, a significant aspect of understanding a person's heart can be found in what they express through their words. As mentioned, "for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." This highlights a crucial insight into a person’s heart-treasure; what one says often reveals what they value and cherish deep within.

The Importance of Words

In Matthew 12:33-35, Jesus elaborates on this by conversing with the Pharisees:

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

This is a powerful reminder – truly sobering — that what we articulate is not just casual output but a reflection of our principles. Just as a tree is recognized by the fruit it bears, so are our hearts revealed through our words. If our speech is kind, true, and promotes goodness, it signifies the rightness of our heart. Conversely, if our words are harmful, false, and critical, they expose the condition of our heart.

The Power and Peril of the Tongue

Our words are important in revealing our heart, as emphasized by James in his epistle 3:1-12:

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Thus, the first indication of the treasure of our hearts is indeed our words. However, as noted by Jesus back in Luke 6:46:

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

This question from the Lord ties together what we say — emphasizing the disconnect for those who verbally acknowledge Him as "Lord" yet fail to act according to His teachings.

Christian Hypocrisy

Calling Jesus with their mouths, “Lord, Lord,” but they were not DOING the things that he the Lord told them to do! And here we are introduced to the second element of indication of a person – what they do. Saying and doing – the one-two combo of Christian sparing.

The odd thing about this teaching is that first Jesus says that the mouth speaks the contents or treasures of the human heart, but then the follow up line is, How are you calling me Lord, Lord with your mouth but you do not follow my directives? In seems there is a disconnect here then between what people claim and say with their mouths AND what they actually do with their hands? Remember, Jesus is ASKING them WHY they call Him, “Lord, Lord” (ostensibly from the treasures of their hearts) but then the do not do what he says? The ONLY solution that I can come up with in the face of this is that from the fact that they DO NOT do what He says tells us that from the Treasure of their Hearts they do not actually believe that He is the Lord – therefore their use of Lord Lord is hypocritical – and this is the point.

Words and Actions

If the words of the mouth are in harmony with the acts of the hands then the treasures of the heart being revealed are pure and good. But if the words of the mouth are NOT in harmony with the works of the hands, then the words of the mouth are PROVEN to be hypocritical. This is the only way I can understand this teaching because Jesus starts it all off by saying that the mouth speaks the abundance of the heart. He then qualifies this by showing that the mouth CAN say certain things, but the actions that follow will prove WHAT the intents of the heart really are.

By going to Matthew 7:21 we get more elaboration on this same concept but even there the principle is a bit confusing as Jesus says:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say (so there is the mouth speaking) to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (that is the doing) So here we have both the saying AND the doing of good works, right? But then Jesus says:

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work (or do) iniquity.

It’s not as confusing as it seems. Those who say, Lord Lord, and obviously speaking from a hypocritical heart. How do we know? Because the things they DO (in casting out demons, prophesying and doing many wonderful works) IS NOT following Him (in this setting). The following of Him, which is expected of those who say, “Lord, Lord FROM THE HONEST HEART” would be involved in doing the things HE commands them, which would be to love, serve, be humble, kind etc.

Indictment Against Hypocrisy

So, what we have here in the Matthew account is an example of both a hypocritical mouth AND pretentious hypocritical actions in the name of God and Good. This stuff seems to be such a turn off to Christ he says that he will say to such: “Depart from me you who work iniquity.” These two teachings are really a flat out indictment against religious and spiritual hypocrisy. Speaking and calling Jesus Lord when from the heart we don’t mean it and/or “doing many wonderful works” as a means to prove our adoration – but they are not the works He commands (like humility and love and bearing the fruits of the Spirit).

Turning the whole thing to sound examples, Jesus now gives some clear instructions (in my estimation) (going back in Luke 6 verse 47) saying

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

This is the same follow-up story Jesus tells in Matthew 7 by the way after telling his audience.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

In the Matthew account, we read:

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

It is interesting to me that sand is a byproduct of rock. A pulverized, worn down version of the original source. It is a source that is far more comfortable in its pulverized form. Growing up a quarter mile from the beach, I spent thousands of hours on sand—laying there upon it, getting it to conform to my body and head. To the south of the beach I grew up on was a river jetty formed out of massive boulders, and every now and again, I’d walk down to it to goof around and sometimes I would walk out on those rocks and even sit or lay down on them. Of course, you can only do that for so long before the unforgiving nature of the rock begins to wear on you—and then I would return to the comforts of the soft sand.

The master teacher here appeals to elements that are not a mistake—and it is no mistake that Jesus—even in the Old Testament—is referred to as the Rock. We have a local denomination here in Utah that calls itself, the Rock. It’s not the Rock. It’s sand, a derivative of the Real Rock at best. The Rock is immoveable, a constant, and so lasting and strong a person can build their whole life on Him and never experience a letdown. But sands are shifting, easily blown away, and give in very simply to pressure. The analogy is most awesome.

Insights from the Book of Luke

Let’s go back, however, to the way Jesus' words are recorded in Luke, which again is the shorter version of the teaching but are nonetheless very insightful. There Jesus says:

47 Whosoever cometh to me (did you catch that line? Whosoever comes to me—something that is refuted by our Reformed friends who say all must be called because there is no free will), and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, (more insight into the two-way street of God offering and human beings responding) I will shew you to whom he is like:
(By the way Matthew calls this man described wise, again proving that human beings are capable of choosing and making choices)

So, Jesus says: I will show you what a man is like who comes to me and hears my sayings and does them…

48 He is like a man which built an house, (he is LIKE a man who builds a house—so in this likeness he is like a man who is building an edifice of faith and belief) and digged deep, (he searches and seeks until he passes over all the superfluous and unstable stuff and once he has done this he) “laid the foundation on a rock: (Jesus and Jesus alone—not broken down or pieces of Jesus but the Rock himself) and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Conclusion of Chapter 6

There are few better stated approaches in scripture on how to establish one's house of faith than this. And this brings us to the end of chapter 6. Let’s read on into chapter 7 beginning of course at verse 1:

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4

Faith and Compassion

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

The Power of Faith

11 ¶ And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. 18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

The Role of the Centurion

OOOOOkay. Back to verse 1. We’re gonna move along at a nice clip here. The sermon on the plain is over and

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

A Centurion was a Roman officer in command of a hundred men. The first Gentile convert to the faith under Peter was a centurion (Cornelius) and from this we can see that there were Romans and Roman officers who were men of faith. Remember it was also a Centurion who watched the crucifixion and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. of Jesus who exclaimed seeing the signs surrounding it, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

Interestingly, centurions are typically – if not always, mentioned in the New Testament in a good light. The historian Polybius mentions in his histories that centurions were known to be men of sound mind and good reputation.

So there was a servant of a Centurion who was sick unto death. There is a lot written between the lines here as backstory to the character of the Centurion as verse two tells us that this Centurion loved this ill servant – so much so that (verse 3)

3 . . . . when he (the Centurion) heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

Apparently there in Capernaum this centurion was also friendly with the Jewish leaders – so much so that he had the pull to go to them and request that they search out Jesus on his behalf so he would come and heal the beloved servant – which is yet another insight into his heart for as a Roman with some power he had a good relationship with the religious men of his community.

4 And when they (the Jewish elders) came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: (verse 5) 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

In other words they were essentially endorsing the man as worthy of Jesus time, telling him that he was a friend of the Nation.

The Centurion's Interaction with Jesus

Even to the point that he built them a synagogue. Endorsements like this were important in the commerce of that day (as they continue to be today), and we see in Jesus' response that he appears to have had some respect for this centurion for all the positive traits we have already been exposed to in these few verses.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

And yet again, we are given more insights into the heart of this man. Apparently, he had some time to reflect upon his own heart after sending the elders to fetch the Lord. And apparently he discovered some elements to his life that he believed were not conducive to having the one he believed possessed the power to heal come to his home. So he sent some others (friends this time) to go out and stop the Lord from actually coming to him or his home directly.

The Centurion's Faith and Humility

The reason the Centurion specifically gives for doing this is a bit quizzical as he has them say to Jesus:

“for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.”

Verse eight seems to have the Centurion say: “For I have been set in my position authoritatively. I have been placed by authority to be in authority over many men – and whatever I say, they will do.” And then having established that first, he did not see himself as worthy to have Jesus enter his home OR to go out to Jesus himself, and making it clear that he fully understood the power to speak and get things done, the Centurion reveals his faith-filled heart in the worthiness, authority, and power in Jesus to merely speak and to have things happen – as he says to him:

“but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”

So before Jesus does one thing besides go toward his home, we know the Centurion loved others (even his servants). The Centurion had a respect and concern for the Nation of Israel (like Rahab the Harlot). The Centurion’s concern was acted out in actually doing something for the nation (building them a synagogue in Capernaum). That the Centurion had a good enough reputation to ask the Jewish elders to go to Jesus, and they did. That he was reflective of his person. That he was humble in light of what he found (saw himself as not worthy). And that he trusted that Jesus had far more power over spiritual things, heavenly things, and miracles, that just as he could order his men about, he trusted that Jesus could order about disease and death by His Word alone. This is one heck of a Roman Soldier folks!

Jesus' Reaction to the Centurion's Faith

(verse 9)

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him (meaning himself) about (or around), and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Remember, we are talking about Jesus and the inhabitants of religious Israel – including John the Baptist, his apostles, and anyone else we have yet come across! And he is talking about a Roman Soldier! Not even a Jew! What’s interesting to me is Matthew’s account is different than Luke’s in the telling of this story. There, the Centurion himself comes to Jesus- not elders of the Jews, and then after pointing out the faith of the Centurion to his disciples Jesus also adds there in Matthew:

8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Healing Accounts in the Gospels

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Back in Luke’s account Jesus only compliments the faith of the Centurion, says nothing to heal him, but Luke only says:

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Jesus in the City of Nain

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Nain was a city in Galilee, in the boundaries of the tribe of Issachar. It was about two miles south of Mount Tabor, and not far from Capernaum. So we are still in the same vicinity of the Sermon on the Plain and Capernaum.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

Anciently, many cities were surrounded by walls, to defend them from their enemies. They were entered through gates that were placed at distances from each other to prevent invasion. In most cities, as according to the Old Testament demands of treatment of the dead, it was not allowed to bury the dead within the walls (unless you were a King or some dignitary) therefore they were carried out to some convenient burial-place in the vicinity of the city but outside the walls.

Jesus happens to be at the gate when the body of this only son was being removed. His mourning mother was there and it seems quite a few people who made up the funeral procession. What we read next is so touching:

And when the Lord saw her, (the mother who only had one child) he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Symbolism of New Life

While this story is so beautiful and touching we must remember that it is a symbol of the new life Jesus gives to all who are dead. For as in Adam ALL die – even so in Christ will ALL be made alive. In the resurrected sense, folks. That is what this is a picture of. When we read it and see Jesus as a healer and raiser of the dead by miracle we miss the point and expect Him to interrupt every funeral procession with a miracle. That is not the point. The point – the illustration here is Christ will make all alive:

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Some called Jesus a Great Prophet, others expressed that God has visited His people – in both cases the expression was God had shown them favor. Amen to that.

And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

We will stop here.

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Nancy and Dave
Jax