11-14-21 Sermon Notes “God Help The Outcasts”

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an outcast as “one that is cast out or refused acceptance (by society).” And there were all sorts of reasons why society treated someone as an outcast in Jesus’ day. (1) Physical uncleanness. Let’s say a person had an awful disease like leprosy. According to the Jewish law (as found in Leviticus 13: 45-46), “Any person with a serious skin disease must wear torn clothes, leave his hair loose and unbrushed, cover his upper lip, and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as anyone has the sores, that one continues to be ritually unclean. That person must live alone; he or she must live outside the camp.” Such a person was quite literally “cast out” of their home. No one would dare touch them, or else they would be considered unclean themselves…not to mention possibly contract the disease!

(2) Occupational uncleanness. Let’s say a person had a job that put them on everybody’s “hate” list…like, say, a tax collector. Why did Jews in Jesus’ day hate tax collectors so much? Because they saw them as traitors to their own people for collaborating with the Romans, and because many of the tax collectors were dishonest and abused their position for personal gain.

We know how society treated the outcasts. How did Jesus treat them?

12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 13 Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him.

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And he got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5: 12-13, 27-32 NRSV)

Join us this Sunday as we continue our “Showvember” theme with “God Help The Outcasts.” All are welcome…even “outcasts!”

Hymns for Sunday, Nov. 14