Facing the Evidence
A Sermon on Luke 5:17
Originally preached Feb. 27, 1955
Scripture
17And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judæa, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Sermon Description
Who is Jesus? To answer this question, one must look at all the extraordinary miracles and deeds He performed before many witnesses. These all affirm His claim that He is who He said He was: God in the flesh. If the evidence is clear, why did so may in Jesus’s time reject Him, just as many reject Him today? In this sermon on Luke 5:17 titled “Facing the Evidence,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the answer is simple: prejudice. Sin has corrupted every part of a person, including the judgment of facts. People do not have a detached mind that can assess the evidence because they are bound to sin. They cannot have a truly open mind to the claims of Christianity and the Bible. Is there a way out of this predicament? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells that no one can come to know God through their own accord, but by the grace of God, a person’s eyes can be opened so that they see the truth. No one can fight their sin on their own, but by God’s grace, they can be set free. This sermon brings the message of hope and peace in the gospel for all who believe in Jesus. Humankind does not have to suffer for their sin because Jesus has come to take their place.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Luke 5:17 which describes Jesus teaching with Pharisees and doctors of the law present.
- There are only two possible reactions to Jesus: like the leper who worships him or like the Pharisees who reject him. Our reaction determines our eternal destiny.
- The Pharisees were interested in Jesus but remained detached observers. They saw him as an "object of study" rather than someone to worship. Many today view Jesus this way.
- The Pharisees were prejudiced against Jesus. They had pre-judged him and were close-minded. They were prejudiced in spirit and practice.
- The Pharisees had a "professional attitude" and were disturbed that Jesus didn't follow their rules. They were always trying to find fault with Jesus. Many today are like this.
- The Pharisees measured Jesus by their own standards rather than seeing he was greater. Many today view Jesus as just one of many great teachers.
- The Pharisees failed to face the evidence about Jesus right in front of them. Though they saw his miracles and heard his words, they didn't perceive the truth. Many today ignore the facts about Jesus.
- The Pharisees failed to submit to Jesus. They never fell before him in worship because they didn't see their need for him. If they had, they would have insisted on being near him like the leper and paralytic.
- We may have intellectual issues with Jesus, but we must not let them control us. We must confront Jesus, become like children, and ask him to reveal the truth to us.
- It would be tragic for anyone to face Jesus in eternity but be eternally lost like the Pharisees. We must learn from their mistakes and yield to Jesus.
Sermon Q&A
What Can We Learn from the Pharisees' Reaction to Jesus?
What does Luke 5:17 teach us about Jesus' ministry?
Luke 5:17 shows us that Jesus was teaching with the power of the Lord present to heal. This verse epitomizes the central theme of the New Testament - that Jesus was not merely teaching ideas but demonstrating divine power. The verse highlights both Jesus' authority as a teacher and His power as a healer, showing that the power of God was actively working through Him.
How did the Pharisees' approach to Jesus differ from others in the gospels?
The Pharisees approached Jesus as detached observers, "sitting by" and watching critically, while others like the leper, the paralyzed man, and Levi approached Jesus with desperate need and immediate response. The leper fell on his face before Jesus, the paralytic's friends went to extraordinary lengths to bring him to Jesus, and Levi immediately left everything to follow Him. The Pharisees, by contrast, maintained a professional distance and critical attitude.
What prejudices prevented the Pharisees from recognizing Jesus?
The Pharisees were prejudiced in both spirit and practice. They had professional prejudice against Jesus because He taught with authority without formal training. They were constantly looking to find fault with Him and critique Him rather than truly listen. They measured everything He did by their own rigid opinions and religious rules rather than recognizing the divine power at work. They were particularly bothered by His breaking Sabbath rules and associating with "sinners."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say Christianity is not primarily a religion or philosophy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christianity is fundamentally about a person - Jesus Christ - not merely a set of ideas or a religious system. Christianity is historical, centered on the actual person of Jesus and the facts of His life, death, and resurrection. It's not just a viewpoint or teaching but a message about a person whose reality determines our eternal destiny. Unlike philosophies or other religions, Christianity stands or falls on the historical reality of Jesus.
How should people approach Jesus differently than the Pharisees did?
People should approach Jesus with: 1. Humility rather than professional detachment 2. An open mind rather than predetermined criticism 3. Willingness to acknowledge their own need rather than self-sufficiency 4. Readiness to submit to Him rather than just analyze Him 5. Recognition of the evidence of His divine power 6. Child-like faith rather than intellectual pride
Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges listeners to be like the leper who fell at Jesus' feet or Levi who left everything to follow Him, rather than being like the Pharisees who merely sat by critically observing.
What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about "sitting by" when it comes to Jesus?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that "sitting by" as a detached observer of Jesus leads to eternal tragedy. He cautions against approaching Jesus merely as an interesting religious figure, philosophical teacher, or subject of study. This attitude prevented the Pharisees from receiving what Jesus offered and ultimately led them to reject and crucify Him. Similarly today, many people remain interested in Jesus from a distance but never prostrate themselves before Him or experience His transforming power in their lives.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the Pharisees' failure to recognize Jesus is "almost beyond comprehension"?
It's almost incomprehensible because the Pharisees witnessed firsthand Jesus' miraculous works and powerful teaching. They saw Him heal lepers, paralytics, and even raise the dead - things they themselves couldn't do. Though briefly amazed, saying "we have seen strange things today," they quickly reverted to criticism and rejection. Despite overwhelming evidence before their eyes, their prejudices blinded them to recognizing who He truly was - the Son of God.
Sermons on Unbelief
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.