Is It Too Good To Be True?

Have you ever experienced a moment so incredible that you thought, "This is too good to be true"? A mix of excitement and skepticism, hope and caution? Those rare instances when reality surpasses our wildest dreams are truly precious. But there's one "too good to be true" moment that outshines them all – encountering the unthinkable grace of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel of Luke, we witness Jesus doing the unthinkable time and time again. His actions challenge our understanding of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Let's explore three powerful ways Jesus defies expectations and offers hope to the hopeless.

1. Jesus Touches the Untouchables

Luke 5 asks us to picture this: a man covered in leprosy, deemed unclean by society, approaches Jesus. This man has likely spent years calling out "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn others away. But he's heard stories of Jesus' healing power, and hope stirs within him.

With unwavering faith, the leper declares, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." It's not a question, but a statement of absolute trust. Jesus' response? He does the unthinkable. He reaches out and touches the man, saying, "I will; be clean."

In that moment, Jesus shatters social norms and religious laws. He demonstrates that no one is beyond His reach or His love. The leper is instantly healed, not just physically, but restored to community and wholeness.

This encounter reminds us that there's no one Jesus cannot touch and transform. Our past, our struggles, our perceived unworthiness – none of it can separate us from His love. When we come to Him in faith, declaring "Lord, you can make me clean," He responds with compassion and power.

2. Jesus Forgives and Restores

The scene shifts to a crowded house in Capernaum. Jesus is teaching, surrounded by curious onlookers and skeptical religious leaders. Suddenly, the roof opens up, and a paralyzed man is lowered down on a mat. His friends, determined to get him to Jesus, have found an unconventional way in.

Everyone expects a physical healing. But Jesus does something far more profound and controversial. He looks at the paralyzed man and says, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

The religious leaders are outraged. "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" they mutter. Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, poses a question: "Which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Get up and walk'?"

Then, to prove His authority to forgive sins, Jesus commands the paralyzed man to stand up, pick up his mat, and go home. Instantly, the man who couldn't move is on his feet, walking and praising God.

This miracle within a miracle teaches us a crucial truth: our greatest need isn't physical healing, but spiritual restoration. Jesus has the power to forgive sins – to cleanse us from the inside out. He offers a wholeness that goes beyond the physical realm, touching the very core of our being.

3. Jesus Calls Sinners to Repent

The story continues with Jesus leaving the house and encountering a tax collector named Levi (also known as Matthew). In first-century Jewish culture, tax collectors were despised as traitors and thieves. They were seen as beyond redemption, unworthy of associating with religious teachers.

But Jesus does the unthinkable once again. He approaches Levi and simply says, "Follow me." With those two words, He extends an invitation that would have been unimaginable to Levi. No respectable rabbi would choose a tax collector as a disciple. Yet here was Jesus, offering Levi a new life and purpose.

Levi's response is immediate and total. He leaves everything behind to follow Jesus. In celebration, he throws a great feast and invites his fellow tax collectors and other "sinners" to meet Jesus. The religious leaders are scandalized, grumbling about Jesus eating with such disreputable people.

Jesus' reply cuts to the heart of His mission: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

This powerful statement encapsulates the heart of the gospel. Jesus didn't come for those who think they have it all together. He came for the broken, the outcast, the ones deemed unworthy. His invitation to follow Him is extended to all, regardless of past mistakes or current circumstances.

The Unthinkable Grace That Changes Everything

As we reflect on these encounters from Luke's Gospel, we're confronted with a love that defies human logic. Jesus consistently does the unthinkable:

- He touches those deemed untouchable, bringing healing and restoration.
- He forgives sins, offering a wholeness that goes beyond physical healing.
- He calls the most unlikely people to follow Him, transforming lives in the process.

This unthinkable grace is not just a historical account. It's a present reality, available to each of us today. No matter who you are, what you've done, or how far you feel from God, Jesus is extending the same invitation He gave to Levi: "Follow me."

You might be thinking, "Is this too good to be true?" The astounding answer is no. It's not too good to be true – it's the very heart of the gospel message. Jesus is still in the business of doing the unthinkable. He still touches lives, forgives sins, and calls people to Himself.

The question is, how will you respond? Will you, like the leper, come to Jesus in faith, believing He can make you clean? Will you persistently seek Jesus, knowing He alone can bring true healing? Will you, like Levi, embrace the invitation of Jesus to leave everything behind and follow Him?

Today, Jesus is calling. He's inviting you to experience His unthinkable grace firsthand. It's not about being good enough or worthy enough. It's about recognizing your need for Him and responding to His invitation.

In a world that often feels hopeless, Jesus offers hope beyond measure. His grace is too good to keep to ourselves. As recipients of this unthinkable love, we're called to extend it to others – to touch the untouchable, to offer forgiveness, to invite the unlikely into God's family.

May we never lose our sense of awe at the unthinkable grace of Jesus. And may we live each day in light of this transforming truth, allowing His love to flow through us to a world in desperate need of hope.