This message addresses one of the things theologians, academics and historians have wrestled with over the centuries: who was responsible for the death of Jesus? Did religion kill Jesus, or did politics kill Jesus, or did the people kill Jesus?

And why did they kill Jesus? Was it because He was a blasphemer? Or was it because of the threat of insurrection? Or did it come because He was such a disappointment to the masses.

In Luke 19:1-10 we will see that Jesus alone seeks and saves the lost, the least likely, and makes them trophies of His amazing grace. To God be the Glory!

In our text a woman stands upright for the first time in eighteen years. Miraculously healed, in her joy she praises God! But an indignant voice cuts through the joy. "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." The Sabbath was never intended as a burden. Its original God given purpose was to remind us of his grace, and to point us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate reality, the ultimate expression of God's grace and rest.

This passage records the encounter of two very different people but both equally desperate. One whose 12-year-old daughter is dying and the other who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. That was their common ground, the threat of death. And both risked alienation and ridicule from the crowds and in faith came to Jesus. Along the way Jesus reveals what His salvific healing brings and His relationship and power over death. He also gives us a glimpse of our resurrection to come.

This short encounter is a tale of two sisters and a study in contrasts. It raises unsettling questions: Are you devoted or are you distracted? Are you living a called life or a driven life? In this ancient yet timely Jesus encounter, the Lord Jesus extends an invitation to be set free from striving and to enjoy communion and intimate friendship with Him. We are reminded that Jesus calls us to be with Him, enjoy union and communion with Him, rest in His grace and be transformed by Him.

In this week's message we look at two entirely different people who have an encounter with Jesus. Two classes, two backgrounds, two genders but both needing the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. One receives that grace and the other doesn't. This message answers why.

"Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" This was John's question to Jesus in Luke 7:20. Jesus doesn't seem to be living up to John's expectations of what the Messiah should look and act like, and at times we feel he isn't living up to our either.