1. Jesus and the Nobodies 04/22/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. Jesus and the Nobodies Introduction
We are so fascinated by the lives of rich and famous.
People Magazine, Glamour.
Did you ever watch the show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”?

3. Jesus and the Nobodies
No one wants “Lifestyles of the poor and obscure.”
People despise the nobodies.

4. Jesus and the Nobodies These attitudes not Christ like.
Jesus identified with the poor and obscure.
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:6-7, NIV)

5. Jesus and the Nobodies
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:9, NIV)

6. Jesus and the Nobodies With whom did Jesus rub shoulders?
Sometimes it was the upstanding, respectable, prominent folks.
The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18ff).
24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24, NIV)

7. Jesus and the Nobodies Nicodemus (John 3).
1 He was a member of the Jewish ruling council (John 3:1).
5 …“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5, NIV)

8. Jesus and the Nobodies
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15,NIV)
The Religious Leaders and the Pharisees.

9. Jesus and the Nobodies
Jesus did not have a whole lot of good things to say about these people.
The Rich Young Man,
25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25, NIV)

10. Jesus and the Nobodies The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
In the Parable of Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. (Luke 18:11, NIV)

11. Jesus and the Nobodies
The majority of the conflict Jesus had with the religious leaders was over helping the helpless.
The frontiers of God’s kingdom have different boundaries.
Everybody counts (1 Cor 12).
Everybody needs salvation.

12. Jesus and the Nobodies
In Mark 10:46 we are introduced to Bartimaeus: A Financial Nobody
To the some bodies, the nobodies were sick as a result of God’s judgment.
Ask yourself, what is Mark trying to tell us by including this story?
45 “I came to serve, not to be served." Mark 10:45)

13. Jesus and the Nobodies
By doing this, Jesus debunked almost 1,000 years of Jewish theology.
He was redefining human life in light of God’s grace.
Jesus viewed sinners as people, not just sinners.

14. Jesus and the Nobodies
In Matthew 15:21, we are introduced to a Cannanite Woman: A social nobody.
Jesus treats a Gentile in a way we wouldn’t expect.
24 “I was sent only to the lost children of Israel” (15:24).
26“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs (Matt 15:26, NIV)

15. Jesus and the Nobodies
What is going on here? This seems so unlike Jesus.
He is no longer in Judea or Galilee, but further north in Phoenicia.
Imagine the reaction his disciples might have had.
This woman was sharp, because she responded with faith.

16. Jesus and the Nobodies
27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (Matt 15:27, NIV)
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matt 15:28, NIV)

17. Jesus and the Nobodies What did the disciples learn that day?
That anyone with faith can come to Jesus!
Why is it that the nobodies are more receptive?

18. Jesus and the Nobodies
In Mark 12:38 We Are Introduced to a Poor Widow.
Jesus is watching the worshippers put money into the temple treasury.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (Matt 12:43)

19. Jesus and the Nobodies
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44, NIV)
Jesus notices the poor widow.

20. Jesus and the Nobodies Conclusion
In the kingdom, there is no such thing as the poor and obscure.
We are all made in God’s image, therefore we are somebody.
In the kingdom we are all “re-made” in God’s image.
The nobodies are some bodies.

21. Jesus and the Nobodies 04/22/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles