Years ago I saw a Bill Murray movie at the recommendation of a friend. The movie was called, “What About Bob?” Bill Murray played a psychiatric patient who is afflicted with many phobias. As you might imagine Bill Murray keeps the movie hilarious and entertaining for the duration of
the film. Richard Dreyfuss plays Bill Murray’s psychiatrist who is trying to help him. After the first appointment Bill takes the psychiatrist’s advice and has some hope about his anxious and fearful condition. But when he tries to book a second appointment the psychiatrist tells him he isn’t available till after Labor Day due to a family vacation. Bill Murray is devastated and unsure of how he will carry on. To make a long story short, through a variety of crazy antics the patient finds out where the psychiatrist is vacationing. Murray boards a bus and finds Dreyfuss and his family. The remainder of the movie shows the chaos that ensues when Murray crashes the family vacation. By the end the psychiatrist is more in need of therapy then the patient. There is no doubt the human heart is afflicted by many maladies. Human sin is at the root of every psychosis. We no longer live in the Garden of Eden. Humanity needs a Savior and that Savior is Jesus.
This week I will be preaching on Luke 4:14-30. Jesus visits a synagogue and reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Many in the crowd are offended by the pronouncement. What were Isaiah’s words? Jesus will, “proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release from darkness for prisoners”. For those who were offended they missed an opportunity for healing. For those who had simple faith and humility they put themselves into a position to receive a touch from Jesus. Nothing has changed. The arrogant and high-minded think that the “preaching of the cross is foolishness”. Those who come to Jesus in child-like faith receive God’s touch. Come on Sunday and hear more about the healing words of Jesus.
Pastor Drew
